This summer, Chicago’s vast lakefront beckons as an idyllic getaway for residents and visitors alike, urging exploration of the city’s 26 miles of shoreline.
A recent adventure on the Fourth of July turned into an ambitious biking journey, visiting all 26 designated beaches managed by the Chicago Park District.
The journey began at North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park, inspired by gathering with friends from Chicago Critical Mass, and expanded to include a refreshing dip at each beach along the way.
Armed with a bike and flip-flops, the day commenced at 9:30 AM under a clear blue sky with temperatures soaring to nearly 90°F.
Starting the ride from Uptown, the cyclist took the Red Line to the 95th/Dan Ryan stop in Roseland, then headed east to reach the city’s shoreline.
As the ride progressed, friends joined for sections of the adventure, despite the physical exhaustion settling in by the time the group reached Juneway Beach in Rogers Park.
This initiative led to a newfound appreciation for the lakefront, previously traversed mainly on longer bike rides.
Chicago’s beaches offer unique spaces for recreation and relaxation, a legacy that traces back to the advocacy of A. Montgomery Ward, who championed maintaining the lakefront free of commercial development.
Despite his efforts, the construction of an expansive highway remains a barrier to easy access to many of these coveted sandy spots.
Currently, the Illinois Department of Transportation plans to rebuild DuSable Lake Shore Drive while maintaining its current layout, drawing criticism from local advocates.
Once the barrier is crossed, visitors often find the serenity of the beaches marred by the noise and pollution from the highway.
Nonetheless, Chicago’s beaches remain one of the city’s greatest assets, deserving of appreciation and exploration.
Here is a breakdown of the route taken during this biking journey:
The starting point was at Calumet Fisheries, a known local spot, followed by a series of stops at various beaches along the lakefront, including:
1. Calumet Beach in the East Side community.
2. Rainbow Beach in the South Shore community.
3. South Shore Beach in the South Shore community.
4. 63rd Street Beach in Woodlawn.
5. 57th Street Beach in Hyde Park.
6. Oakwood Beach in the Oakland community.
7. Margaret T. Burroughs Beach (also known as 31st Street Beach) in Douglas.
8. 12th Street Beach in the Near South Side community.
9. Ohio Street Beach in the Near North Side community.
10. Oak Street Beach also in Near North Side.
11. North Avenue Beach in Lincoln Park.
12. Montrose Beach in Uptown.
13. Foster Beach in Edgewater.
14. Osterman Beach in Edgewater.
15. Lane Beach (also known as Thorndale Beach) in Edgewater.
16. Hartigan Beach Park in Rogers Park.
17. North Shore Beach in Rogers Park.
18. Helen Doria Beach (also referred to as Columbia Beach) in Rogers Park.
19. Toby Prinz Beach in Rogers Park.
Due to variations in naming and access points along a small stretch, reaching every designated beach along the shoreline proved challenging.
The area around Hartigan Beach holds some discrepancies, with mislabeling complicating the trip slightly, but the variety of sandy shores made adjustments manageable.
In the following stretch of the journey, navigation required careful management as some sections did not provide optimal bike access, particularly around Sheridan Road, a designated multi-lane road rather than a bike-friendly path.
20. Loyola Beach in Rogers Park.
21. Leone Beach in Rogers Park.
As the ride continued, the complexity increased once again when progressing between Leone and Griffin beaches, prompting the cyclist to consider alternative pathways.
22. Marion Mahony Griffin Beach (a.k.a. Jarvis Beach) in Rogers Park.
23. Fargo Beach in Rogers Park, which stands as the final beach on the park district’s list that remains partially sandy compared to others along the route.
Increasing water levels have swallowed some stretches of beach with rock formations, complicating the beach experience.
24. Howard Beach in Rogers Park.
25. Rogers Beach in Rogers Park.
26. Finally, Juneway Beach in Rogers Park rounded out the day’s exploration, concluding the journey with reflections on the varied beauties and challenges along the shoreline.
As the seasons transition and temperatures drop, considering a bike ride along this path offers adventure and exploration, with an invitation to think about future visits to these shores.
Remember to share experiences and favorite beaches along the route, whether through comments, social media channels, or personal narratives.
Don’t forget to put on sunscreen before embarking on your own adventure!
image source from：chi
