Glencoe Beach Set To Reopen With Coronavirus Precautions In Place

GLENCOE, IL — Glencoe Beach is scheduled to open for the summer Saturday with new precautions in place to prevent the potential spread of coronavirus. A prepurchased season pass will be mandatory for beach access, attendance will be capped and no lifeguards will be on duty, Glencoe Park District officials announced.

"We realize residents' Glencoe beach experience will change in some ways this summer but believe we can all still find joy, comfort, and recreation at the beach," said Lisa Brooks, park district board president, announcing the restrictions. "It's a great way to show support for our community and Park District."

There will be no daily passes sold for beach access, and season passes will not be for sale at the beach. Park district staff strongly recommended buying passes before the season starts, with discounted rates available to residents and non-residents alike through June 1.

The bathrooms will be the only part of the beach house to be open to the public, according to the park district. There will be no access to showers to available concessions. Rentals will not be offered under initial restrictions, which include a total ban on swimming and access to the playground and spray pad. If Gov. J.B. Pritzker's ban on swimming is lifted, those who swim at Glencoe Beach will do so at their own risk, according to park district staff.

"Our staff has worked hard to balance safe and practical solutions with the needs of Glencoe residents who love our beach," Executive Director Lisa Sheppard said in a statement. "But we cannot risk the health and safety of our community and our staff in the event of a rescue. Any potential person-to-person contact must be minimized whenever possible."

The park district will supply staff with personal protective equipment. Park district "ambassadors" will be assigned to the beach to monitor beachgoers and ensure groups of visitors keep about a 10-foot perimeter from one another.

"Lifeguards are not equipped nor trained to deal with potentially infectious patients," Sheppard said. "We understand that this news is deeply disappointing, but truly is the only way we could open the beach this summer."

The early bird rate for an individual is $75 for Glencoe residents or $112 for non-residents, while individual seniors aged 65 and up can purchase passes for $42 if they live in the village and $59 if they don't.

In June, the price tag rises to $95 for residents, $143 for non-residents, $54 for Glencoe seniors and $74 for seniors who live outside the village. Passes for additional family members are $15 for residents and $30 for non residents, regardless of the date they are purchased. The season passes can be purchased online and remain valid until the first week of September.

Unlike in past summers, Northbrook residents will not have access to the resident discounts, park district staff announced, noting the "significant expenses associated with operating the beach during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the Northbrook Park District will not open their pools this summer." A reciprocal arrangement between the districts allowed Glencoe residents to use Northbrook pools and Northbrook residents to buy season passes to the beach at a discount in previous years.

"This summer is filled with challenges to deliver the recreational programs and services you have come to expect, but our staff is working hard to make your summer as fun and safe as possible," said Sheppard, the district's executive director. "We ask for your patience and kindness these next few weeks as the beach season gets underway. It's all new to us too."