Starting tomorrow (Friday, March 13), all scheduled Winnetka Park District programs will be canceled and facilities will be closed to the public until further notice. The health and safety of our patrons is our number one priority and this decision was made to help support the CDC’s recommendation of social distancing. Refunds will automatically be given for missed programs and facility rentals during this closure.
The Park District will continue to assess conditions and notify the community when programs and operations resume. Information will be emailed and posted to our website and Facebook pages.
The Winnetka Park District is carefully monitoring developments of COVID-19 (coronavirus). While the current risk to Illinois residents remains low, we’re taking steps to prepare and are working closely with the Village of Winnetka, the library, and school districts in planning, response and communication.
What you can do
Wash hands often especially before eating and after sneezing, coughing, or contact with public surfaces.
Wash with soap or alcohol-based hand cleaners for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
Stay home when you are sick.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
What we are doing
As a matter of standard practice, staff disinfect bathrooms/locker rooms, and clean the public areas of our facilities, shared equipment (skates, racquets, etc.), and frequently touched surfaces daily.
Additional disinfecting is being done by staff throughout the day and overnight using effective and safe products.
Hand sanitizer has been placed in all lobby areas for public use at our facilities.
Due to record high lake levels and several severe winter storms, our beaches have sustained unprecedented damage in recent months. Below is a look into the current conditions of our beaches and what that means for the 2020 beach season. These plans may change pending future lakefront conditions.
Lloyd Beach
Current Conditions
Lloyd has seen the most severe damage this winter. On the north end of the beach, the lake has overtaken the existing steel seawall structure, rising past the boathouse. January storms caused irreparable damage to the boardwalk and boat rack structures. Portions of these structures were taken by the storm. The damaged pieces that remained were removed by staff.
On the southend, the water continues to erode the bluff. At current lake levels, the south portion of the beach is not useable.
South end
North end December 2019
North end February 2020
2020 Beach Season: Partially Open
The boat launch/pier and a portion of the beach on the north end will be available for boat launching.
The remainder of the beach and the boat house will be closed. Storage racks will be relocated to the lower parking lot and made available to rent from Memorial Day to Labor Day at a reduced rate of $240 for residents. Parking will not be allowed in the lower parking lot. Portable toilets will be available to patrons. No boat rentals will be available.
Park District lakefront camps – Winnetka Water Explorers and Jr Sailing Camp – will not take place this summer. The park district’s Adventure Camp will incorporate kayaking and SUP into the curriculum.
Tower Road Beach
Current Conditions
The condition of Tower Road Beach is currently good. The extent of damage has been loss of some beach due to current lake levels. A large portion of the beach remains fully intact and useable.
As part of the Winnetka Waterfront 2030 plan, bluff restoration efforts and staircase construction is currently underway. This is scheduled to be complete late June.
2020 Beach Season: Open
The beach and concessions will be open this season. It will open weekends only June 6, then daily starting June 13.
While construction of the staircase and bluff restoration are underway, a new traffic pattern will be in place. This includes a three foot wide temporary walkway along the beach access road. The lower lot will be open for resident parking. The upper parking lot will be available to both residents and non-residents. Staff will be present to direct and maintain a safe traffic flow.
Maple Street Beach
Current Conditions
Similar to Tower Road Beach, Maple Street Beach’s current condition is good. Some loss of beach has occured due to current lake levels.
2020 Beach Season: Open
Maple street will be open this season from June 13 to August 23. It will remain a swimming only beach. The pier may be closed at times due to hazardous lake conditions.
Elder Lane Beach
Current Conditions
At current lake levels, Elder has lost all of its useable beach. The boat racks have been removed, and the foundation they sat on has been damaged.
Looking north summer 2018
Looking north February 2020
2020 Beach Season: Closed
Elder will remain closed for the 2020 beach season due to lack of useable beach and potential safety concerns. The beach house will be closed and not available for rent or patron use. Barriers will be installed to prevent access to the beach.
Centennial Beach
Current Conditions
The extent of damage to Centennial has been loss of useable beach due to current lake levels. A small portion of the beach remains, but becomes hazardous during storm events.
Centennial February 2020
2020 Beach Season: Open
Centennial will continue to operate as a dog beach this season. The beach will not be accessible when lake conditions are hazardous. During these times, signs will be posted and the gate will remain locked (even to those with key fobs).
On June 28, 2018 the Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners approved a licensing agreement with North Shore Country Day for utilization of the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center outdoor courts. This nine-year commitment, (3) three year terms, makes the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center the home courts for North Shore Country Day’s girls and boys tennis teams starting in the fall of 2018.
“We are excited to welcome North Shore Country Day as part of the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center family”, said Tennis Center Manager, Pat Fragassi. “We look forward to providing a home where these young tennis players can hone their skills and be competitive.”
A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center is currently home to the New Trier High School tennis teams and that relationship will continue. The Tennis Center staff will coordinate with both schools to accommodate their training schedules and home team matches, which will be primarily after school and some weekends during the fall and spring. This arrangement does not interfere with the A.C. Tennis Center’s lesson program, which utilizes the indoor courts in the fall and spring.
A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center is a facility of the Winnetka Park District. Players can enjoy year round tennis at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center as the facility features eight indoor and 12 outdoor courts (five lighted), a nursery, pro shop, shower/locker room facilities and public access Wi-Fi. This full-service facility offers lessons for all ages, leagues, court rentals, membership and events year round. For more information visit, winpark.org/tennis or call (847) 501-2065.
The Winnetka Park District is making a few enhancements to the Tower Road Beach House which will have a positive impact for our residents and patrons this upcoming beach season and beyond. The most impactful change will be the reconversion of the restrooms to allow access beyond staffed hours of operation. This will be accomplished through a timed lock entrance to the restrooms, while eliminating access to other areas of the facility. “Our official start of the swim beach season is early June, but we recognize that as the weather improves we have more visitors to the lakefront”, said John Shea, Superintendent of Recreation. “This change allows us to be more accommodating without extending the length of our season and daily hours of supervised operations.”
These enhancements will improve the existing function of the facility including, expanded staff visibility, improved access to the restrooms, and a new water chiller. A majority of the project, including restroom access, is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.
Photo: Rendering of Tower Road Beach House after renovations.
As part of our ongoing efforts to improve access and use of our community’s park sites, the Winnetka Park District will be conducting paving and/or tree work at Green Bay Trail, Elder Lane Park, and Lloyd Park over the next two weeks. During this time, these sites will have limited access or be closed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our superintendent of parks, Costa Kutulas, at (847) 501-2052.
Please note that the listed dates are tentative and subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
Green Bay Trail Paving (southern third of the trail)
Work will be ongoing May 2-3. The southern third of the trail will be closed during this period.
Elder Lane Park Paving
Work will be conducted May 4. Elder Lane Park will be closed during this period.
Lloyd Park Tree Work
Work will be ongoing May 2-3. During this time access to the park will be limited.
Lloyd Park Paving
Work will be ongoing May 4-8. During this the park will be closed.
As part of the Village’s annual road rehabilitation program, A Lamp Concrete Contractors will be milling and re-paving the driveway that provides access to the Water Plant, Electric Plant, Tower Road Beach and the pier. The work is expected to take approximately three days to complete. Milling of the deteriorated asphalt service is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 19th. Paving work is scheduled to follow during the week of April 23rd.
During the construction work, access to Tower Road Beach will be limited to the pedestrian walkway in Tower Road Park. The Village appreciates and thanks you for your cooperation and patience during the completion of the planned improvement. If you have any questions, please contact the contact the Water & Electric Department at (847) 716-3558.
The survey is open NOW through January 25, 2018 and may also be accessed via www.winnetka36.org. Feedback from the Winnetka community will help the District prioritize its values as the Core Team and DLR Group (the District’s educational architectural firm) develops initial Future Ready D36 concepts for community review in March 2018.
The Winnetka Park District 2018 proposed budget is on display through February 22, 2018. There will be a public hearing, followed by park board adoption of the 2018 budget and appropriation ordinance as a part of the February 22, 2018 board meeting.
