Evanston aldermen are scheduled to vote Monday on a 10-year agreement with Northwestern University that will have the school pay most costs of operating Lincoln Street beach.
Under the agreement, which formalizes an arrangement that was in operation last summer, Evanston residents will have access to the beach under the same terms as at the five city-operated bathing beaches.
Northwestern will provide lifeguards and other staff at its expense, while the city will clean and comb the beach once per week and test the water quality.
Beach-goers will be able to park in the school’s nearby parking garage for free on weekends and after 4 p.m. weekdays and for $8 a day at other times.
The agreement specifies that beach-goers will only use the sandy area near the water and shall not enter the dunelands, grasslands or other vegetative or protected areas.
The agreement specifically declines to address the ownership of the beach.
City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz last fall said the Illinois Department of Natural Resources contends that the university does not own the beach.
Related stories
Council defers action on NU beach deal (7/31/18)
Some history behind Lincoln Street beach (7/5/18)
Lincoln Street beach reopens (7/3/18)
What beach?
Lincoln St beach is not much different from the dog beach in sq. footage of sand.