Winnetka beach cleanup on track to enable August opening

Efforts to clean up Elder and Centennial beaches are on track to be completed by August.

Costa Kutulas, director of parks and maintenance for the Winnetka Park District, said that, if all goes according to plan, Centennial Park Beach should reopen around Aug. 9, with Elder Lane Beach opening soon after.

Both Elder and Centennial have been closed to public swimming because of hazards in the water and the sand. Earlier this summer, the Winnetka Park Board gave direction to staff to find out how they could get the beaches open for residents.

As previously reported by The Record, the beaches were able to be open this summer, although swimming was still not allowed.

Kutulas said, during the Park Board’s regular meeting on Thursday, July 24, that the construction team was mobilized on Monday and got work done throughout the week. He said they’re currently working on the southern portion of Centennial Beach, removing debris and “inline shore elements.”

Once the park district’s role is completed, Kutulas said the Village of Winnetka’s contractors will come in to remove and replace about 65 feet of an outfall pipe located at Centennial. That is expected to begin on Aug. 9.

The only delay reportedly would be with high waves on the lake, since the construction teams need to be on the water to complete the work.

To keep residents informed, Kutulas said that the park district has placed a beach attendant on site to keep residents updated on the construction process and why it is happening.

Additionally, Kutulas provided a brief update on the permitting process for dog beach fencing.

The park district has submitted a permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a temporary dog beach fence. That application will be receiving public comment until Aug. 18.

Kutulas said the park district is looking to have a follow-up conversation with the Cook County Department of Animal Control to discuss the permit application as well.

In response to questions from commissioners, Kutulas said he doesn’t know a timeline of when the fence would be installed since there are more meetings that need to be held.

While the dog beach is temporarily unavailable, Kutulas said that the Winnetka Park District has been working with the Wilmette Park District to offer guest passes to residents so they can utilize the Gillson Park dog beach.

“We are very thankful for the efforts of the Wilmette Park District to allow us to combine our efforts here during this downturn,” he said. “We are very thankful for their opportunity to help support us with our issues as well.”

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