Evanston Dog Beach To Stay Closed For Summer Due To Erosion

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston's dog beach will not open for the summer due to erosion after it was completely submerged by rising water levels on Lake Michigan during storms earlier this year. The city suspended the sale of permits for the beach after city officials reported in February that wooden pylons exposed by sand erosion created a safety hazard to animals and owners alike.

In previous years, the dog beach was open from April through November from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Permits cost $60 per dog for Evanston residents and $120 per dog for non-residents.

City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz told Pioneer Press Thursday there no alternative beach in Evanston has been identified and he had no update to provide about the status of the dog beach at 1631 Sheridan Road. He noted Evanstonians can still use the dog beach at the south end of Gillson Park in Wilmette, but they will have to pay the rate for non-residents after efforts by city officials to negotiate a discount were unsuccessful.

Evanston will lose out on around $80,000 in revenue it collects from selling permits to the heavily regulated beach, an alderman told the Daily Northwestern earlier this year. But bringing in more sand is not an option, as it would just wash away.