Langdon Shoreline Protection and Beach Access Project

About the Project

Access Path Project Update

The work at Langdon progresses. The revetment has been completed from the north property line to the haul road. The revetment on the south side of the property has begun as well. Ongoing deliveries of armor stone and other materials continue, and backfilling has started around the completed portions of the revetment.

View the project plans and additional information below.

Access Path Project Overview

In 2020, Langdon Beach was closed due to significant beach erosion. Since that time, the Wilmette Park District has been working with engineers from SmithGroup to analyze Langdon’s shoreline and develop solutions to protect the beach and bluff for future generations, and to build an access path.

The water levels in Lake Michigan receded in 2023 and the Park District opened a temporary path to the beach over the 2023 Labor Day weekend.

Following the temporary path work that was completed in 2023 to re-establish access to the beach at Langdon Park, we are now working to provide a permanent condition that will provide safe access to the water and protect the shoreline. This work, as shown in the Langdon Park Shoreline Stabilization Plan, will begin with:

Removing the current stone on site and clearing vegetation where necessary; tree protection will be in place to ensure damage is mitigated to anything meant to remain.
A new stone revetment will be installed from the north end of the beach to the south, where there will be an opening to a concrete path leading up the bluff to the park.
Earthwork will be completed to provide an appropriate slope for the path and surrounding bluff areas.
Along the path will be stone seat walls, a rain garden and new trees, and a lifeguard shelter.
At the park entrance, the gravel apron will be replaced with turfstone and pavers to provide improved access for maintenance vehicles and a stable pathway to the portable restrooms.

Project Inception

The project began in early 2020, when erosion of the entire Wilmette Park District shoreline had become a significant concern, and Langdon Beach was closed due to safety concerns. At that time, the Wilmette Park District engaged SmithGroup to analyze the shoreline erosion issue and provide recommendations on revetment work to mitigate erosion damage.

Planning Goal and Outcomes

The overall goal of the Langdon Shoreline Protection and Access Project is to preserve Langdon beach for future generations and provide safe access to the beach while preserving and enhancing its original natural character.

Documents and Presentations

Project Details

Project Timeline

June 2019

Langdon Beach is closed due to shorefront erosion and safety concerns.

Early 2020

Wilmette Park District engages SmithGroup to consult on shoreline conditions, including the Sailing Beach, Gillson and Langdon.

October 2020

SmithGroup presents first study of shoreline erosion at Gillson and Langdon; Board agrees that preserving the bluff at Langdon was most urgent issue.

April 2021

Park District directs SmithGroup to develop a plan for the protection and restoration of the bluff at Langdon specifically, including beach access.

November 2021

SmithGroup completes a number of different studies determining vegetation and soil conditions on the bluff. They present their initial findings and different beach access proposals to the Lakefront Committee. Included were four styles, with different stair and ramp designs. Ramp and revetment options were fairly similar in price. The Committee leans toward Concept C, in which the path design provided not only access to the beach but also provided additional bluff stabilization.

February 2022

Lakefront Committee decides on Option C, which after some modifications from the initial concept, was an ADA-compliant ramp across the face of the bluff, which also provided bluff stabilization in addition to the revetment. Stairs are added at a later meeting due to Park Board concerns that visitors would deviate from the path and trample down the bluff vegetation. SmithGroup engineers began the design and permitting process.

July 2022

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Community members attend meeting to express concern about the design proposal. The Park Board asks to revisit the original concepts as a result of community input.

August 2022

Regular Board Meeting

SmithGroup presents to the Board to address concerns from the community. Board asks SmithGroup to refine and further develop concepts based on input.

October 2022

Committee of the Whole Meeting

Park Board and visitors from the community view Langdon presentation by SmithGroup. Board narrows access path design options down to B2, B4 and B5, and asks Park District staff to review the options and make material recommendations for use in creating the path.

January 2023

Regular Board Meeting

Park Board asks SmithGroup to move forward with detailed designs for the B4 access path option.

February 2023

Regular Board Meeting

Park Board asks SmithGroup to revisit temporary access options at Langdon prior to permanent access. Letters of No Opinion required by USACE and IDNR; the latter provides its letter.

April 2023

Committee of the Whole Meeting

SmithGroup presents to the Park Board and visitors from the community. Village of Wilmette asks the District to contact ICDB to determine if access path must be be ADA compliant.

May 2023

Regular Board Meeting

ICDB confirms that ADA compliance is required for the permanent Langdon Beach access path. Clarification is requested about whether temporary access must also be ADA compliant. No response had been received.

June 2023

Committee of the Whole Meeting

SmithGroup presents final two long-term access path design options to Park Board.

Park District sends community survey to learn which design is preferred.

July 2023

Park District staff presents access path survey results; Park Board examines accessibility issues. Final approvals for temporary access path are secured.

August 2023

Regular Board Meeting

SmithGroup presents alternate path and material options, and Park Board receives presentation from ADA experts WT Group regarding ADA compliance.

On August 22, the District received the permit for the temporary path at Langdon and have confirmed the contractor will be onsite on August 30 to start the work. The project is anticipated to take approximately one week.

Labor Day Weekend, 2023

Temporary Path to Langdon Beach Opens

September 11, 2023

Regular Board Meeting

Board of Park Commissioners direct Park District staff to pursue path option ORA 2 in detail. SmithGroup will begin work on detailed drawings and plans.

November 27, 2023

Committee of the Whole Meeting

SmithGroup presents a project update to the Board of Park Commissioners.

February 26, 2024

Committee of the Whole Meeting

SmithGroup presents update on schedules and budget, staff shelter/beach access management structure design, park entry improvement options, tree survey

September 3, 2024

Construction Begins

District staff and consultants from SmithGroup have secured final permits and construction begins Tuesday, September 3. The park and playground will remain open, but beach access will be restricted during construction.

October 30, 2024

Work Underway, on Schedule

The work at Langdon is progressing on schedule. The revetment work is complete from the north property line to the haul road. The revetment work on the south side of the property has begun. Ongoing deliveries of armor stone and other materials continue, and backfilling has started around the completed portions of the revetment.