Osterman Beach

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.