The Wilmette Park District continues to keep an eye toward building a Master Plan for its lakefront operations at Gillson and Langdon Parks and Beaches. The preliminary groundwork of mapping out infrastructure and identifying what currently exists at the lakefront has been completed and an Analysis Summary Report detailing issues and opportunities along Wilmette’s lakefront has been presented to the Park District's Parks & Recreation Committee. Click here to download a copy of the report.

 

The next phase in the development of a Master Lakefront Plan involves gathering information that would address the needs and desires of the community. A commission of Park Board members, staff, residents, state and federal representatives will be formed to address an assessment of all existing sites, facilities and infrastructure by architectural, engineering, surveying, landscape design and lakeshore experts. Extensive public input will be solicited through a variety of means including meetings and surveys.

 

 A timeframe for launching the next phase has not yet been set. The Park District’s Parks and Recreation Committee will be reviewing options before making a recommendation to the full Board of Park Commissioners.

 

            By way of background, the Wilmette Park District currently owns two parcels of land on Lake Michigan just north of Chicago. The largest parcel is Gillson Park, which is a 59-acre site located at Michigan Avenue and Sheridan Roads. The second parcel is Langdon Park, located at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Sheridan Road, which is 3.4 acres.

 

Gillson Park was originally constructed in the early 1900s. Much of the site was developed as a result of landfill from the construction of the North Shore Channel of the Chicago River. The property was deeded to the Wilmette Park District by the State of Illinois. The site is heavily used during warm weather periods, but is open throughout the year. The site includes these Wilmette Park District owned and operated facilities: the Wilmette Beach, a swimming and land based sailing operation; the Wallace Bowl (outdoor amphitheater); outdoor tennis courts; and the Lakeview Center, a facility which is open for rentals nine months of the year. Also located in the Park are the Wilmette Coast Guard Station, Wilmette Harbor, and the Sheridan Shores Yacht Club.   

 

Langdon Park was purchased by the Park District in the early 1960s. It was originally the location for the land based sailing operation. Rising lake levels and severe erosion, led to relocate the sailing operation to Gillson Park in the late 70s. The Park District undertook an erosion control project in 1986 to save the park with the cooperation of the Army Corps of Engineers. With lake levels dropping, the beach expanded and it became a popular destination. To control crowds and improve safety, the Park District opened it as a paid admission swimming beach in 2007.

 

In 1982 the Park Board determined that age and the elements had taken their toll on the Wallace Bowl, which was originally dedicated as the Wilmette Outdoor Amphitheatre in 1946. The rejuvenated Wallace Bowl was rededicated in July, 1984, and included new stone terraces topped with Douglas fir benches; a new drainage system, new lighting, an enlarged stage and new landscaping and paved pathways allowing access for those with disabilities. The Lakeview Center, located in Gillson Park, was dedicated in 1989 and offers shelter to park patrons as well as a beautiful site for meetings and parties nine months of the year.

 

The most recent improvements to Lakefront operations took place in the 1990s which included the construction of a new Gillson Park Tot Lot and a sand volleyball court in 1991. Overlook Drive was reconstructed to include a larger walkway, benches and dune grasses to help reduce the amount of drifting sand. A picnic shelter was added in 1992 and a network of interior sidewalks were built to reduce the amount of on-street pedestrian traffic in 1992. The seawall was reinforced by adding rip-rap in 1998, and the Gillson Park tennis courts, which had originally built in 1929, were completely demolished and reconstructed in 1999.