WAYS TO PLAY
Visitor Information
Location
800 Gillson Park Drive
North Entrance
Lake Ave & Michigan Ave
South Entrance
Sheridan Rd & Michigan Ave
POINT OF CONTACT
Emin Jakupovic
Lakefront Beach Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Conor McCormick
Lakefront Park Supervisor
PHONE NO.
POINT OF CONTACT
Megan White
Lakefront General Manager
PHONE NO.
What to Know About Visiting Gillson Park and Wilmette Beaches
Hours
- Gillson Park is open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Gillson Park's north and south vehicle entrance gates close at 8 p.m.
- Vehicles leaving the park after the gates close at 8 p.m. can use the Washington Avenue exit.
- Vehicles left in the park after 10:30 p.m. will be ticketed.
Wilmette Swimming Beaches
- Lifeguards are present and swimming is allowed during beach season at our three beaches: Gillson Main Beach, South Beach and Langdon Beach.
- Season passes are available for purchase and are accepted at each of our three beaches.
- Daily passes can be purchased onsite at any of our three beaches.
- We accept credit card or Apply Pay only for daily passes at South Beach and Langdon Beach.
- Swimming and wading is allowed in the buoyed swim area only.
- Lifeguards are on duty at the beaches during operational hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Life jackets being used in the water must be labeled US Coast Guard approved.
- All umbrellas must be set up behind the lifeguard chairs to avoid obstructing the view of the water.
- Beaches may close for severe weather, rip currents or bacteria. Call before you come to check the conditions at 847-256-9660.
- Boogie boards, rafts, noodles or inflatable flotation devices are not allowed.
- Large, 4-post shade structures/pop-up tents are not allowed, per village ordinance.
- When lifeguards are not on duty it is swim at tour own risk.
Dogs
- Dogs are allowed in Gillson Park, but they must be on a leash at all times that is no longer than 10 feet.
- Dogs are not allowed at the swimming beaches or Sailing Beach during operating hours.
- Season passes are available for the Dog Beach that allow for off-leash play; no day passes are available for the Dog Beach.
Food & Drink
- Picnics are welcome! We allow snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at any of our beaches/parks.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the beaches or in Gillson Park.
- Beverages purchased at the Beach House concessions must be consumed within the patio area.
Parking at Gillson
- The main beach lot requires a lakefront sticker or daily parking pass. Overlook drive requires a lakefront or a Village sticker. Upper Drive is open parking with no sticker required.
- Season parking decals are available for purchase.
- Daily parking passes are sold on-site at the Lake Ave entrance gate. They must be purchased same day of use and are only valid in the main Swimming Beach lot. No cash is accepted; credit cards only.
- Entry to drop-off of items or individuals is not permitted.
Picnics and Grilling
- Permits are required for all picnic areas, and the covered Picnic Pavilion.
- Personal grills are not allowed anywhere on the Gillson property, and all fires must be in Park District grills.
- Alcohol is not permitted in Gillson Park at any time.
Kayaks, SUPs and Boats
- You may launch personal kayaks and stand up paddleboards off of South Beach, only with a trail-in permit sticker visible on the vessel.
- Boat rentals are available on weekends. Boats can be reserved one week in advance of the rental date.
- Motorized vessels or larger sailboats are not permitted to launch off of Wilmette beaches.
Spend a day at Gillson Park and Beach! Fill out the form below and send to mwhite@wilpark.org
Large Group Beach Rates
Group rates are available for those wishing to purchase 20 or more beach passes for the same day. Fill out the form below and send to mwhite@wilpark.org
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