Osterman Beach

Kathy Osterman Beach House

Location:

5800 North Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60640

Located Within: Lincoln (Abraham) Park

Features: Has Restroom, Has Wi-Fi

Is Accessible

Note: Has an accessible path of travel (beach walk) to the shoreline. Additionally, a beach wheelchair is available for free use with a valid ID. Visit the lifeguard office at the beach house to check one out.

Rules

Swim only when lifeguards are on duty.
Follow lifeguards’ instructions.
Only Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) are permitted. Person-children wearing PFDs should have adult present.
No smoking.
No alcohol.
No dogs on the beach.
Do not feed birds or wildlife.
Dispose of trash and recycling in appropriate containers.
Grill in designated areas only and dispose of coals in red barrels.
Keep accessible beach walks clear. No bicycling, skateboarding or rollerblading is permitted in these areas.
Access to the Lake Michigan Water Trail for sports such as kayaking, canoeing and other non-motorized board or paddle sports is allowed at Osterman Beach near the street access of Ardmore or Thorndale.
No surfing or kiteboarding. Kiteboarding is ONLY permitted at Montrose Beach.

Hours

Facility Hours

Weekday	Time slot	Comment
Sunday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm
Monday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm
Tuesday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm
Wednesday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm
Thursday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm
Friday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturday:	11:00 am-7:00 pm

Hours Notes

The beach is open from 6 am to 11 pm, but swimming is only permitted during the beach season when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am to 7 pm, in designated swim areas. The beach season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day, through Labor Day.

Description

Located near the Edgewater neighborhood, Kathy Osterman Beach is situated in the northernmost tip of Lincoln Park. Osterman Beach is sometimes called Ardmore Beach or Hollywood Beach because of its location near those streets.

In 2010, the Chicago Park District opened a new silver LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) beach house. This 2,750-square-foot comfort station reflects the traditional-style architecture inspired by turn-of-the-century Chicago Park District buildings.

A nearby natural area attracts migratory birds during spring and fall seasons.

Distance Swimming: parallel to shore at boat line

For questions regarding Chicago beaches, email beaches3@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

History

Osterman Beach is located at the northernmost tip of Lincoln Park at Ardmore Avenue. It is located between Hollywood and Ardmore Avenues, and in the past it has been referred to by both street names. A surprising amount of what is now Lincoln Park is made from landfill, and this landfill was completed in stages. Lincoln Park’s final landfill extension was completed in the 1950s between Foster and Ardmore Avenues, and the fill included a new beach at Ardmore Avenue. The beach is considered to be a part of Lincoln Park. Planning and design for the extension started in 1947, but construction and fill did not begin until three years later. The fill project continued over the majority of the decade, and it was finally finished in 1958. Osterman Beach is named for Kathy Osterman (1943-1992), a dedicated public servant who was beloved by her community. She served as Alderman for Edgewater, President of the Edgewater Community Council, and Director of the Mayor's Office of Special Events. In 1993, Ardmore Beach was renamed in her honor as Kathy Osterman Beach.

Parking/Directions

Parking
Limited street parking

Public Transit
The following public bus & train routes serve this beach:

CTA Bus Routes:
84 Peterson
147 Outer Drive Express
151 Sheridan

CTA Red Line Station:
Bryn Mawr