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FOREST PARK BEACH

New changes at the lakefront!  

Frequently Asked Questions (22k - 2 pages)  

Visitors to this 29+ acre park can enjoy the large beach and grass areas, swimming and other water activities. Open year round, park amenities include sheltered pavilions, a fishing pier, boat launching ramp and storage area, walking paths and a concession stand open during the summer months. Sailing classes and camps, sailboat and kayak rentals, volleyball nets, and grills are just some of the amenities available through the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department.

The park is open from 6:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.  Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on weekends starting Memorial Day weekend till Labor Day weekend.

Lake Forest residents can reserve beach facilities. A valid Lake Forest vehicle license is required for beach level parking.

    Enjoy your day on the water!

Lake Forest Resident Identification

Proof of Lake Forest residency will be required on weekends and holidays for everyone using the beach facilities. The City of Lake Forest realizes that some children may not have a valid piece of identification to guarantee free admittance to the beach facility.  A Forest Park Beach Identification card can be made for any Lake Forest resident at the Lake Forest Recreation Center (400 Hastings Road) between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Beginning Monday, June 1, 2009, identification cards will be processed from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Want to rent a kayak, sailboat or windsurf board?

The Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department is happy to announce that all three of these are now available for rental at Forest Park Beach Sailing Compound! We are really excited to add more recreational opportunities for the community. These are great ways to learn a new activity, get some exercise and fresh air, and spend time with family and friends. Stop by the Sailing Compound and check it out! For more details contact Edward Gudas, Forest Park Beach Supervisor, at
847-810-3944.

Pavilion Rentals Available

The South Pavilion, Boat Pavilion, Forest Park Bluff, and Fire Circle are available for party rentals except on holidays and holiday weekends. Lake Forest Residents may rent either of these pavilions for a 4-hour time frame at a $75 rental fee with a $150 refundable litter deposit. The North Pavilion is for drop-in use only and is not available for rental. For further information regarding pavilion rentals please call Sally Swarthout, Program Manager at 847-810-3942.

The Fire Circle which is located on the lower level of Forest Park, north of the Sailboat Compound, in the upper grass area can be rented in the same manner as the South and Boat Pavilions. It is reminiscent of the original Jens Jensen Council Ring familiar in and popular with the North Shore communities. It is the perfect setting for fireside discussions and stories. The Fire Circle is a stand alone rental and it requires a Burn Permit obtained from the Lake Forest Fire Department.

Forest Park Bluff is the grass park land located on the upper level of the Beach Facilities at Deerpath and Lake Roads. The southern portion of the park can be rented for parties under the same guidelines of the pavilion rentals with parking access in the Upper South Lot.

Beach Permit Application Form (18k - 1 page)

Beach Permit Rules and Regulations (13k - 2 pages)

Fees for Forest Park Beach Stickers

The table below lists the fee for the 2009 season. If you would like to purchase storage space or obtain boat launching stickers, please register your information at the Lake Forest Recreation Center, Monday thru Friday, between the hours of  8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you have any questions, please call 847-234-6700.  A fee of $33.00 will be charged at Forest Park Beach for those launching boats that are transported into the facility daily.