Lake Bluff Increases Sunrise Beach Fees Amid Surge in Visitors

LAKE BLUFF, IL — The secret is out about Sunrise Beach in Lake Bluff, where park district officials expect this season's number of non-resident visitors will exceed last year's total by the end of the month.

And now, daily attendance fees are on the rise for the first time in five years.

Last summer, an online poll ranked Sunrise Beach on a list of the "top 100 secret beaches" in the country — the only Illinois beach to make the list.

That brought a big increase in the number of non-resident beachgoers, according to Lake Bluff Park District officials.

The increase in beachgoers has strained resources, affecting staffing, restrooms and available space. In response, district officials have added additional staff to handle the influx.

"We are scheduling one more assistant manager and one more lifeguard and will continue to evaluate the beach operation," Executive Director John Bealer told Patch. " The Park District is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable beach for the public to enjoy."

Starting July 1, the new beach fees rise from $15 be $25 for people aged 15 to 64, from $10 to $20 for those aged 2 to 14, from $12 to $20 for those older than 64 and from $12 to $15 for active-duty military and veterans.

Bealer said the increase brings Lake Bluff's fees into line with those of other North Shore beaches, noting that Lake Forest charges $25 per person and the Glencoe Park District charges $24 per person, with neither offering any youth or senior discounts.

Since the last time the district hiked beach fees, minimum wage has risen by a dollar every year, and officials have been increasing wages to stay competitive with nearby towns.

The North Shore Water Reclamation District's (NSWRD) project at the beach, which includes building a subterranean overflow basin and other improvements, has been paused and will resume after the summer.

"We want to assure you that the majority of the project is complete, and the retention basin has been installed," park district official announced. "After Labor Day, construction will resume, and the remainder of the project, including modifications to the NSWRD facility, bathrooms parking lot, and aesthetics, will be completed within three months."

Related: 2024 Chicagoland Summer Beach Guide: Your Ultimate Map to Lake Michigan’s Best Beaches