Yacht Club Protests Closure of HP Beach South of Water Treatment Plant

The following was submitted by the North Shore Yacht Club:

The North Shore Yacht Club of Highland Park was informed by the Park District of Highland Park (the site operator) this week that the City of Highland Park is not renewing the Park District’s lease for the south part of Park Avenue Beach in the city.

The North Shore Yacht Club uses the Park Avenue Beach site ( which is owned by the city and leased to the Park District) south of the water treatment plant for all of its programs.

Furthermore, the city intends to eliminate all public access to this widely used beach because the water treatment plant might be vulnerable to security threats. The city plan is to permanently close the South Beach by spring of 2015 – no cars, no pedestrians, no fishing, no sailboats, no power boats, no kayaks, no lakefront access.

This major public policy decision – balancing a potential security risk versus giving up a major public asset has been made with no public input and without a vote of the City Council.

Over time, the Park District hopes to re-create boating facilities elsewhere. But Yacht Club Commodore Alan Cohen believes a multi-year delay may kill the club. He also predicts, “Some people will still go out on boats even if there’s no Yacht Club, but without a safe launching area, radios, safety boats, other boats out at the same time, and eyes on the shore, it will be a far riskier activity.”

The North Shore Yacht Club is circulating a petition asking the City of Highland Park to delay this decision to allow time for alternatives to be considered. According to Cohen, “we are asking for a democratic and reasonable process before implementing a decision with such devastating community impact.” The Club will present the petition at the next City Council meeting on Monday, September 22, 7:30 pm at City Hall. Interested persons are invited to join the Yacht Club at that meeting. Information and the petition will be posted over the next few days at www.northshoreyachtclub.com.

The North Shore Yacht Club is an all-volunteer not-for-profit organization providing sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddle board instruction, recreation, and safety for the past 77 years on the shores of Lake Michigan for the Highland Park community.

It also organizes sail racing, paddling activities, and social events for its members and promotes environmental awareness. The Club activities are strong contributors to the long term Economic Development of the community.