Work currently underway at South Shore Cultural Center and Arthur Ashe Beach
In efforts to safeguard the city’s shoreline, the Chicago Park District (CPD) continues to perform emergency work along the lakefront where high lake levels continue to cause significant erosion issues. Due to severe erosion at South Shore Cultural Center and Arthur Ashe beach, the Park District is currently engaging in stabilization efforts in both locations. Recent work includes completing shoreline stabilization at Morgan Shoal and installing trap bags near LaRabida and 67th Street.
Over the next few weeks, the District will place stone installations at South Shore Cultural Center to shore up approximately 235 linear feet of northern section of the shoreline that have developed sinkholes. Once winter storms have subsided in the Spring, the Park District will continue its stabilization efforts by installing temporary trap bags in select areas both north and south along the shoreline area as well as additional stone placement to fill voids.
At Arthur Ashe Beach, located at South Shore Drive and East 74th Street, the Chicago Park District is partnering with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to repair erosion that has undermined the revetment and sidewalk. The project scope includes resetting the existing concrete block revetment and further reinforcing the shoreline at the park with a new rubble-mound revetment. The improvements are similar to those performed at three Rogers Park beaches last year. Once complete the new revetment structure will protect the playground and adjacent parkland as well as the 74th Street right of way from further erosion damage.
The Chicago Park District, Chicago Department of Transportation and other partners will continue to use short-term measures to shore up lakefront areas that have experienced erosion throughout 2021. CPD and CDOT continue efforts to secure funding for long-term stabilization work.