Suburban Stadiums: Gillson Park

Each week in Suburban Stadiums, Winnetka and Wilmette Patches will feature two different local athletic facilities, from fitness centers to neighborhood parks. We’ll dive into its history, list what programs it has to offer and provide a calendar of major events hosted at the space.

GILLSON PARK

Set on some of the North Shore’s most picturesque real estate, Wilmette’s Gillson Park is well-known for its variety of recreational options. During the active summer months, the park is filled with residents playing tennis, running, sailing or just tanning at the beach.

Facilities and History: Gillson Park was first organized on 22 acres of “made land” as a result of a new drainage canal connecting Lake Michigan and the North Branch of the Chicago River in 1908. Because the land was made almost exclusively of blue clay, the Park District spent three years getting the landfill into a usable state.

Originally known as Washington Park, the first trees were planted in 1917 and the Wilmette Woman’s Club helped establish Wilmette Beach. The Park District took over its operations after one year. The Wallace Bowl was originally built in the late 1930s as a result of the Works Progress Administration and subsequent land purchases and donations grew the park to its present-day area of 59 acres. The park was named for Louis Gillson, one of the original Board of Park Commissioners and president of the Board for 26 years, in 1956.

After 50 years of wear and tear, the Wallace Bowl went through a rehabilitation in the early 1980s and was rededicated in 1984. That started the most recent wave of renovations and additions to Gillson Park. Since the late 1980s, the Gillson Beach House, Lakeview Center, interior pedestrian walkways and a picnic shelter have all been constructed at Gillson Park.

The Park District’s lakefront currently includes a swimming beach, sailing operation, dog beach, tot lots and outdoor tennis courts, which were originally built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1999. The Wilmette Coast Guard Station, Wilmette Harbor and Sheridan Shore Yacht Club are also located at the south end of the park.

Programs: As with its variety of facilities, Gillson Park offers a plethora of programs and activities for residents to participate in. Running and walking trails zigzag through the park while relaxing parties can be hosted at the Lakeview Center.

Depending on experience level and weather conditions, residents can rent sailing boats or choose to take individual or group sailing lessons at the Gillson Park Sailing Beach.

Dogs have their own oasis at the Gillson Park Dog Beach. It’s one of two major parks in Wilmette where dogs are allowed to play off leash.

The Starlight Theatre is a summer tradition in Wilmette. Free evening programs are scattered throughout the summer and all of them are staged at the Wallace Bowl. Some of the shows will feature Broadway musicals and there’s even Country Western Night on August 6.  

In the winter months, a lighted ice rink is constructed for casual skating.

Calendar of Events:

July 3: Fun Run, Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks

Saturdays through August 13: Starlight Theatre

August 22: Older adults Picnic at the Park

September 5: Closing Day for Wilmette beaches