This list is not all-inclusive
BEACHES
CLARK STREET BEACH
Clark Street at Sheridan Road
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
The beach is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May 24 through Sept. 1. A daily pass or season token is required for admission to the beach.
FOREST PARK BEACH
Lake and Deerpath roads
Lake Forest
cityoflakeforest.com
Located on more than 29 acres of beach and bluff area. Proof of residency is required to access the beach on weekends and holidays. A non-resident fee is charged on these days.
GILLSON PARK
Sheridan Road and Michigan Avenue
Wilmette
wilmettepark.org
Swimming allowed seasonally at this 59.2 acre beach and park and the beach is open daily from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. There is also a dog beach. Decal required for residents. There is a fee for nonresidents.
GLENCOE BEACH
15 Park Ave.
Glencoe
glencoeparkdistrict.com
Lakefront beach open from Memorial Day through Labor Day with swimming available when lifeguards are on duty. It is also a full-service sailing beach. Daily admission fees for residents and non-residents.
GREENWOOD STREET BEACH
Greenwood Street at the lakefront
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
The beach is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May 24 through Sept.1. A daily pass or season token is required for admission to the beach.
KENILWORTH BEACH
419 Kenilworth Ave.
Kenilworth
villageofkenilworth.org
The beach typically opens in June and has daily hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Purchase of a beach pass is required.
LAKEFRONT PARK
55 Hazel Ave
Glencoe
glencoeparkdistrict.com
Swimming seasonally. Beach includes the Adda & Paul Safran Beach House. Free admission.
LANGDON PARK
1398 Sheridan Road
Wilmette
wilmettepark.org/langdon-park
Swimming allowed seasonally. A daily or season pass is required for admission.
LEE STREET BEACH
Lee Street and Lake Shore Boulevard
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
The beach is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May 24 through Sept.1. A daily pass or season token is required for admission to the beach.
LIGHTHOUSE BEACH
Central Street at Sheridan Road
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
The beach is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May 24 through Sept. 1. A daily pass or season token is required for admission to the beach.
ROSEWOOD PARK AND BEACH
Park: 45 Roger Williams Ave. in Ravinia neighborhood. Beach: 883 Sheridan Road
Highland Park
pdhp.org
Rosewood Park consists of 11 acres leading to the shoreline. Construction began on the beach in October and is expected to be completed in June. Check the web- site for access. Parking is reserved for Highland Park residents with a city sticker or non-residents with a Lakefront Decal.
MORAINE PARK
Sheridan and Moraine roads
Highland Park
847-579-3130
pdhp.org
Beach access including a fenced-in, off- leash exercise beach for dogs. A picture permit card is required to exercise dogs in this area.
MILLARD PARK
35 Ravine Drive
Highland Park
pdhp.org
This park has 14 acres of ravine, bluff and shore habitat. Beach access, fishing, gardens and a picnic area are available.
SOUTH BOULEVARD BEACH
South Boulevard at the lakefront
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
The beach is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May 24 through Sept. 1. A daily pass or season token is required for admission to the beach.
SUNRISE PARK AND BEACH
1 E. Sunrise Ave.
lakebluffparks.org
Guarded swimming seasonally. There is play equipment, complimentary beach chairs and games. Access is free to residents and available for a fee to non-residents.
BIKE TRAIL
ROBERT MC CLORY BIKE PATH/NORTH SHORE/GREEN BAY TRAIL
Access in Highland Park at St. Johns and Laurel avenues.
Asphalt and crushed limestone. Totals 26.5 miles. The trail takes riders through Highland Park, Highwood, Fort Sheridan, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and into Waukegan and on to Wisconsin.
BOATING
CHANNELSIDE PARK
3219 Main St.
Skokie
skokieparks.org
Boat launch available for non motorized boats.
CHURCH STREET POWER BOAT RAMP
Church Street at the lakefront
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
Launch permits are required. Ramp available for power boats, sailboats and personal watercraft.
DAMMRICH ROWING CENTER
3220 Oakton St.
Skokie
847-674-1500
skokieparks.org
Non-motorized boat launch situated near a 5,000- square-foot indoor training center. No cost to launch. Available to canoes, kayaks and row boats.
DEMPSTER STREET BEACH
Dempster Street and the lakefront
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
Kayaks, sailboats and hobbies.
FOREST PARK BEACH
Lake and Deerpath roads
Lake Forest
cityoflakeforest.com
Bring your own or rent a sailboat, kayak, windsurfer or paddle boats. Resident identification required and a fee for non- residents.
GILLSON PARK
Lake Avenue at Lake Michigan Wilmette
wilmettepark.org
Sailboating allowed. Rentals available.
GLENCOE BOATING BEACH
15 Park Ave.
Glencoe
glencoeparkdistrict.com
Full service sail boat beach. Includes sail- boat storage as well as rentals of wind- surfers, kayaks and sailboats.
LAKEFRONT PARK
55 Hazel Ave.
Glencoe
glencoeparkdistrict.com
Home to Perlman Boat Beach with Porter Bennett Boathouse.
LAKE SHERMERVILLE
Wood Oaks Green
1150 Sanders Road
Northbrook
nbparks.org
14.7 acre lake allows canoeing.
PARK AVENUE BOATING
8 Park Ave.
Highland Park
pdhp.org
There is a concrete ramp as well as a sand ramp to accommodate power boats, sail- boats and personal water crafts. It is also home to the North Shore Yacht Club. Rentals are available to the public from June 1 to Oct. 1.
SUNRISE PARK AND BEACH
1 E. Sunrise Ave.
Lake Bluff
lakebluffparks.org
Single and double kayaks are available for rent.
FARMS
HISTORIC ELAWA FARM
1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest
cityoflakeforest.com
A historic farm, many of the buildings have been restored including an ice house, wagon shed, stable and quarters. Environmental learning programs are offered.
WAGNER FARM
1510 Wagner Road
Glenview
847-657-1506
glenviewparks.org
This 18.6 acre farm is one of the last working dairy farms in Cook County. Visitors can learn about farming heritage and see cows, chickens, horses and pigs. There is a restored farmhouse, a heritage center with interpretive exhibits.
GARDEN/NATURE CENTERS
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe
847-835-5440
chicagobotanic.org
You can come back again and again throughout the seasons with 385-acre garden featuring 25 display gardens and four natural areas situated on nine islands surrounded by Lake Michigan. Dedicated to education and conservation there are classes, programs, flower shows and a wide variety of special events.
CLARA DIETZ BIRD SANCTUARY
Park and South avenues
Glencoe
glencoeparkdistrict.com
More than an acre of bird baths and feeders placed to attract a variety of species to this passive park.
ECOLOGY CENTER/LADD ARBORETUM
2024 McCormick Blvd.
Evanston
847-448-8256
Provides a number of programs, camps and special events focused on ecology and nature such as learning to fish and living a green life.
EMILY OAKS NATURE CENTER
4650 Brummel St.
Skokie
847-674-1500, Ext. 2500
skokieparks.org
This 13-acre savanna and nature center includes trails, interactive exhibits, a pond and native wildflower garden. The Skokie Park District holds classes and programs throughout the year.
TYNER INTERPRETIVE CENTER
2400 Compass Road
Glenview
847-901-6828
glenviewparks.org
This 3,000-square-foot center showcases green technology. There are ongoing exhibits related to the surrounding prairie as well as seasonal education programs offered by Glenview Park District.
HELLER NATURE CENTER
2821 Ridge Road
Highland Park
847-433-6901
pdhp.org
Situated on 97 acres of oak-hickory forest, tall grass prairie, an oak savanna and wetlands, there is much to explore.
KEAY NATURE LEARNING CENTER
Hibbard Road and Skokie Boulevard
Wilmette
wilmettepark.org
Situated on 4.6 acres there is a nature trail and footbridge that lead to a pond and waterfall.
MERRICK ROSE GARDEN
Lake Street and Oak Avenue
Evanston
cityofevanston.org
Hundreds of roses on display as well as the historic Centennial Fountain.
WILDLIFE DISCOVERY CENTER
1401 Middlefork Drive
Lake Forest
cityoflakeforest.com
Part nature center, and part wildlife sanctuary, museum and biological station there are exhibits and live reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds.
