CITY’S BEACH SEASON BEGINS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
PARK DISTRICT IMPLEMENTS NEW SMOKING BAN & MONITORS WATER QUALITY THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
Release Date: 05/23/08
The Chicago Park District welcomes summer with the opening of the 2008 beach season that runs from Friday, May 23 to Labor Day weekend, Monday, Sept. 1. Hours at all beaches are 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. This summer, beach goers will find a variety of amenities, from bike rentals to great concessions. Admission to Chicago’s beaches is free.
“We have more than 20 million people hitting the beach during the season,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Tim Mitchell. “Keeping our beaches and water safe is our top priority. We will be enforcing the smoking ban we announced last fall and will continue to monitor water quality through the three-tier alert system.”
Last October, the Park District board of commissioners passed a measure that prohibits smoking at beaches, playgrounds, and playlots. Smoking endangers children and others by exposing them to second-hand smoke. Additionally, children and youth who observe smoking and tobacco use in public beaches, playlots and playgrounds may model the behavior. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified second-hand smoke as a group A carcinogen, the most dangerous class of carcinogen.
Additionally, the Chicago Park District will continue to monitor water quality with the same three-tier alert system used by surrounding Lake Michigancommunities to issue swim bans and inform beach goers of bacteria levels. This summer, beach visitors can call the ChicagoParkDistrictBeachHotline at 312-74-BEACH or check www.chicagoparkdistrict.comfor the swim status at each beach.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) support the notification system that calls for a swim advisory to be issued when readings fall between 235 and 1,000, which are counts of the bacterial colonies that have formed per 100 milliliters of water. A swim ban is issued if the Escherichia coli (E. Coli)levels reach over 1,000. The advisory or swim ban will remain in place until bacteria levels fall below 235.
The following flag notification system tells patrons the current status of beaches:
· Green Flag– Swimming is permitted. Water is calm and quality is safe based on
current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
· Yellow Flag– Advisory is in effect. Caution is advised. Water and weather conditions are unpredictable. Restrictions may be implemented. Increased risk of illness may be present based on current monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
· Red Flag– Swim ban in effect due to severe weather and/or water conditions, which may be hazardous. Serious risk of illness may be present based on recent monitoring for E.coli bacteria.
There are several theories on the causes of high E.coli bacteria counts in the lake water, which include high temperatures, heavy rainfall, low lake levels, and gull waste.
The following initiatives are currently in place to reduce probable bacteria sources:
· Chicagoans will see “BigBelly” trash containers– solar powered trash compactors that support fuel conservation and decreased emissions – at select beaches.
· A waste recycling programproviding covered and weighted recycling and waste containers along the lakefront will help minimize the food sources that attract gulls to the beaches.
· Daily maintenance includes beach combing, a procedure that collects debris and sifts through the sand, allowing the sun to bleach it.
· Border collieswill be at 57thand 63rdStreetbeaches this summer to help eliminate the draw of a “safe harbor” at the beach for ring-billed gulls from dawn until dusk everyday.
· The gull population will be managed through an integrated collaborative program with the City’s Department of Environment and the Chicago Park District called the Ring-billed Gull Management Program. Wildlife Services biologists will coat gull eggs with corn oil, which limits air movement through the shell, preventing the eggs from hatching. The oil will not harm adult gulls or other wildlife and is approved by the Humane Society.
“The Great Lakesare the lifeblood of the City for both drinking water and recreation,” said Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Department of Environment Commissioner. “We will continue to work with the Chicago Park District and take the necessary steps to protect and enhance our beach environment through gull population management and other strategies.”
The Chicago Park District has more than 100 public pools, 51 of which are outdoor poolsthat open for the season Friday, June 13 - Monday, Sept. 1. Outdoor pool hours are 11 a.m. – 7:15 p.m. Admission is free to Park District pools, but fees vary for lap swim and instructional classes.
For a list of locations or for more information, visit the Park District website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call the Beaches and Pools Unit at 312-742-5121.
For more information on the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.comor call 312-742-PLAY.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529