Are there any (mostly?) legal places to swim in Lake Michigan in Evanston or Wilmette/Winnetka/Kenilworth?
Visiting my childhood home in late August and I won’t have time to go to Ohio St. Beach in Chicago etc.
Almost 30 years ago I would swim with a friend off of Dempster St. beach early mornings before opening but 1)I’ll be solo and 2)I don’t know the current situation with law enforcement. Any info is appreciated.
I have swam a lot of that early morning when it’s been like glass. Early is ok. Later and I had an “escortâ€
Anytime I swim I am there before the beach opens. Never had an issue. Was at Lee Street two weeks ago with my wife and daughter before beach opened and once lifeguards got there they got everyone out of the water until it was “open”. But never had an issue with police coming by. South Blvd. is a good beach too depending on where you are. I also like Clark. Like being able to swim north by the rocks at NU. Makes me feel a bit safer.
Try Gillson Beach in Wilmette. You can swim up and down the Wilmette lakefront without a beach pass any morning of the week until 9am. Accessible via both North (Lake St) and South (Sheridan Rd) entrances. Be careful where you park however. Do not park in Gillson Park without a season parking pass or Village of Wilmette sticker, the police will ticket you otherwise.