WAYS TO PLAY
Lakefront/Gillson Park
Location
800 Gillson Park Drive
North Entrance
Lake Ave & Michigan Ave
South Entrance
Sheridan Rd & Michigan Ave
POINT OF CONTACT
Catherine Weinstein
Lakefront Customer Service
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Megan White
Lakefront General Manager
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Conor McCormick
Lakefront Park Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
TJ Storey
Lakefront Beach Supervisor
PHONE NO.
Upcoming Gillson Beach & Park Events:
Discount Day at the Beach 8/5 – 8/5, 10:00 am, at Wilmette, IL
South Beach Clean-Up 8/8 – 8/8, 9:00 am, at Gillson Beach
Sounds of Summer – Evanston Symphony – 8/12, 7:00 pm, at Wallace Bowl
Sounds of Summer – No Turn On Red RESCHEDULED! – 8/20, 7:00 pm, at Wallace Bowl
South Beach Clean-Up 8/22 – 8/22, 9:00 am, at Gillson Beach
Welcome to Gillson Park
Lakefront Programs
Registration for Spring+Summer programs begins at 10 am:
- March 17 for residents
- March 24 for non-residents
What's New
End of Season: September 7 & Other Closures
Summer is nearing its close, and so are our beaches along the Wilmette Lakefront. Please review our End of Season updates below as we begin slowing down operations in preparation for season’s end on September 7.
On AUGUST 1: Beaches close early for private event
- Starting at 6 pm there will be NO LIFEGUARDS at Wilmette Sailing Beach, Main Beach, South Beach or Langdon Beach — swim at your own risk.
- Gillson Main Beach will be closed for an event starting at 6 pm.
Starting AUGUST 17: Reduction of lifeguard staff
- There will be NO LIFEGUARDS at Landgon Beach for the rest of the season — swim at your own risk.
- South Beach Gate 4 Entrance CLOSED for the rest of the season.
Starting AUGUST 24: Reduction of lifeguard staff
- NO LIFEGUARDS on weekdays at Main Beach and South Beach — swim at your own risk.
- LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY on weekends 11 am-5 pm at Main Beach and South Beach.
On SEPTEMBER 7: End of season
- Last Day of the season — LIFEGUARDS ON DUTY 11 am-5 pm at Main Beach and South Beach.
On SEPTEMBER 20: Parking Alert for North Shore Century Event
- Gillson Park is the starting location for the annual cycling event North Shore Century on September 20. While race participants are directed to park offsite, we anticipate the Gillson Beach Parking Lot to fill by 5 am and remain full into the afternoon.
- Services around the Lakeview Center and traffic in the park and surrounding roadways will be greatly impacted by the event. The beaches will not be affected; however, visitors are encouraged to walk or bike as parking will likely not be available.
On OCTOBER 15: End of parking pass requirement
- Last day of Parking Pass requirement at Gillson Beach parking lot. No pass or permit required starting October 16.
Explore Gillson Park
Visitor Information
Get all the general information for Gillson Beach and Park here
Sailing Beach, Boat Rentals & Trail-In Permits
Our Sailing Beach offers a variety of services, from rentals and permits to vessel storage. Get the details here
Gillson Dog Beach
Your furry friend will have blast at our Dog Beach! Permits required – learn all the details here
Reserve a Picnic Area
We have several picnic areas throughout Gillson Park – the perfect place for an outdoor gathering!
Lakeview Center Rentals
The Lakeview Center in Gillson Park is a fresh, newly-renovated facility with flexible options to meet the needs of your upcoming event!
Seasonal Programs
From nature activities in the park, to classes at the Lakeview Center, check out all we have planned! Now active:
- Summer
- Early Fall
Gillson Beach House and Lakeview Center
Get all the info on the Beach House (including The Fat Shallot, our elevated beachside food stand) and the Lakeview Center (newly renovated with rental space, vending machines & more)
Gillson Park offers 60 acres of beautiful lakefront property ideal for picnics, bicycling, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and many other outdoor activities. In Gillson, you’ll find:
- Two Swimming Beaches
- Picnic Areas and Pavilion
- Lighted Tennis Courts
- Fitness Course
- Tot Lot
- Kayak, SUP & Sailboat Rentals
- Dog Beach
- Lakeview Center
- Wallace Bowl
- Seasonal Lighted Ice Rink
- Kayak/SUP Launch Area
- Wallace Bowl - Outdoor Theater
Park Map
1
Picnic Area #1
2
Picnic Area #2
3
Picnic Area #3
P
Parking with
Wilmette Resident Decal or
Seasonal Beach Parking Decal
PV
Picnic Pavillion
P
Parking with Daily Pass
or Seasonal Beach
Parking Decal
P
Parking with Daily Pass
or Seasonal Beach
Parking Decal
4
Picnic Area #4
P
General Parking
Hours
Accessing Gillson Park
Swimming Beach Hours
Memorial Day - Labor Day
10 am-8 pm*
*Swimming out of season when no lifeguards are present is swim at your own risk.
*After 8 p.m., swimming is not permitted, as our lifeguards are no longer on station.
Swimming is strictly prohibited after Labor Day.
Park and Vehicle Gate Hours
Gillson Park Hours:
6 am-10:30 pm
Gillson Park North and South Vehicle Entry Gates:
6 am-9 pm*
*Note: After the North and South gates close at 9 pm, vehicles can leave the park through the Washington Avenue exit. Vehicles left in the park after 10:30 pm will be ticketed.
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