Due to the recent ongoing heavy rains, consequent bluff erosion and safety concerns, the north beach access road and the wooden boardwalk that goes down to the beach will be closed until further notice.
All vehicles will be asked to access the beach using the south beach access road. Resident pedestrian access to the beach from Forest Park will only be available at the concrete steps at the middle of the ring road and at the wooden steps at the south end of the the Park which lead to the are north of the boat storage area.
The non-resident entrance will be shifted south to the wooden steps at the south end of the Park. The paid entry point will be located at the bottom of the stairs on the beach level.
Parking availability beginning Friday, June 29:
~ Lower south lot and upper south lot (Lake Forest residents only)
~ Handicapped parking in lower south lot until full, with allowance for drop-offs
~ Deerpath (south side of the road between Washington and Sheridan Roads)
~ Westminster (south side of the road between Sheridan and Lake Roads)
~ Any of the East Side Train Station lots (weekend days only)
Please also note:
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Current beach pavilion rentals will be honored, but future requests are suspended until further notice.
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Boat Launch seasonal and daily pass sales are suspended until further notice.
Thanl you for your understanding and patience.
Forest Park Beach
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.
Lifeguards are on duty daily from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. on the following dates:
May 26-28
June 2 - August 19
August 26-26
September 1-3
Lake Forest residents can reserve beach facilities. A valid Lake Forest vehicle license is required for parking in any beach lot.
Lake Forest Resident Identification
Residents will be required to show proof of City of Lake Forest residency at all entrances to the facility. Appropriate forms of identification include drivers license, state ID, school ID, Lake Forest water bill or a Forest Park Beach ID. Proof of Lake Forest residency will be required for everyone using the beach facilities. Resident children who need identification can obtain a Forest Park Beach Identification card at the Lake Forest Recreation Center (400 Hastings Road) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
Beer and Wine Sales at the Beach
Please stop by the Kemper Beverage Cart and enjoy a glass of wine or beer on our beautiful lakefront this summer. Service available during concession hours in a designated area, weather permitting. Schedule subject to change.
Beach Water Quality
You can monitor the Beach Water Quality through this link provided by the Lake County Health Department. The water quality status is updated on a daily basis. A green indicator shows that a beach is open, and a red indicator shows that a beach is closed. For additional information, call the Forest Park Beach Hotline at (847) 234-6702 and press 8.
Non-Resident Usage
The non-resident usage fee of $10/person / day will go into effect Memorial Day weekend. This usage fee will be charged on Saturday, Sundays and holidays for the 2017 beach season. This fee is non-refundable. Non-residents are not allowed to park in any Forest Park Parking lot without a seasonal parking permit.
Resident Guest Passes
Lake Forest residents can purchase a Guest Beach Parking Pass for $10, limit 5 times per year. Pass must be purchased by a Lake Forest Resident at the Recreation Center.
Lake Forest Boating Center
For just a small fee, you can use one of our single or double kayaks, 420 sailboats and paddleboards to get on the water! All equipment is on a first come first serve basis. It is located at cell 4 next to the Boat Pavilion. Just show up at the beach and let our staff set you up!!! Hours 10am-6pm Monday - Sunday. Contact the office at 847.615.4592 for more information.
Watercraft Usage Fees and Membership
Purchase your boating center membership pass at the Recreation Center. All persons whom are part of a membership must be present at the Recreation Center to have their pass created (this can be at separate times). In order to use a watercraft at the Lake Forest Boating Center, members must have their pass with them.
Fees:
|
Family Pass |
$400 |
|
Couple Pass |
$320 |
|
Adult Individual Season Pass |
$200 |
|
Youth Pass (Ages 8-17) |
$125 |
|
5 Use Punch Card |
$175* |
|
One Time Use (90 Minutes) |
$50 |
*Boat Launch Punch Card: Sales are temporarily suspended. See Important Notice above.
Beach Pavilion Rentals
7-1-18: Pavilion rentals are temporarily suspended, due to the closure of the North Beach Rd. We are honoring previously issued pavilion rentals. Please be aware of the parking restrictions listed below.
The South Pavilion, Boat Pavilion, 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 Aaron Dalzot, Program Manager at 847-810-3930.
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.
Due to Forest Park Beach renovations in 2014, parking passes associated with pavilion rentals have been adjusted as Upper South Lot parking has changed. Rental of the Boat Pavilion or Fire Circle will include up to 5 free parking passes and the rental of the South Pavilion will include up to 10 free parking passes. Applicants may apply for up to 5 more passes at $5 per pass as part of their rental. Changes are reflected on the application.
Forest Park Beach Pavilion Reservation Form
Forest Park Beach Pavilion Regulations
Beach Parking
The North Lot is closed. Please see Important Notice at top of page.
Your City of Lake Forest vehicle sticker allows residents access to parking at Forest Park Beach in either the North or Top South Parking Lots ONLY. These stickers are available for purchase at the Municipal Services Building between 8:30AM and 4PM Monday through Friday or online at www.CityofLakeForest.com.
Non-residents may purchase an annual Non-resident Beach Parking Permit to park in the North Parking Lot at the Municipal Services, 800 N. Field Drive for $938 between 8:30AM and 4PM Monday through Friday.