Despite temperatures in the 40s, summer will eventually arrive in Evanston, and the city’s five public beaches will be beckoning. But first, you’ll need a token.
They’re available for purchase now at the Parks, Recreation and Community Services office in the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and at Evanston recreation community centers during their office hours.
The beaches will officially open on Saturday, May 27.
Starting Saturday, May 20, tokens will also be available for purchase daily at the Dempster Street Beach office between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Cash, personal checks and credit cards are accepted.
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Community members can also purchase beach tokens at the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market, located at University Place and Oak Avenue, on Saturdays, May 6 through June 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. But only cash and checks will be accepted there. No credit cards.
A beach token, also known as a season pass, is valid from the time of purchase through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. Tokens will be sold at a discounted rate of $26 for Evanston and Skokie residents and $42 for nonresidents through Friday, June 9.
On Saturday, June 10, the price for a beach token will increase to $34 for Evanston and Skokie residents and $58 for nonresidents.
Daily beach admission is also available and may be purchased at beach entrances. Daily admission is $8 for those 12 years and older, $6 for children ages 1 to 11 years, and free for children under age 1.
Evanston residents who meet the income requirement are eligible to participate in beach token fee assistance and the free beach token program. To learn more, visit the city’s website or call (847) 448-8237.
Free beach days for Evanston residents will be held at Clark Street Beach on Mondays from July 3 through August 28.
The City of Evanston and the Skokie Park District have a reciprocal arrangement that allows Skokie residents to buy season beach tokens at Evanston resident rates and allows Evanston residents to buy Skokie season pool passes at Skokie resident rates. Pool passes are valid at both the Skokie Water Playground and Devonshire Aquatic Center.