Park Avenue Boating/Fishing Beach

Park Avenue beach features a concrete ramp and sand launching ramp, two parking lots and two boat storage areas. The north storage area accommodates sailboats up to 25’, power boats and personal water craft. Sunfish, small sailboat storage and sail/mast storage for rack boats are located at the south end of the beach. The Park Avenue facility is home to the North Shore Yacht Club and is available for rentals from May 1-October 31. Swimming is not permitted at the Park Avenue Beach.

Features, Amenities and Activities

Concrete ramp and sand launching ramp, boat storage, fishing, boating and home to the North Shore Yacht Club.

Fees

2008 BOATING SEASON

Daily Launching Fees Concrete/Sand Ramp
Weekdays (per day), $10/resident, $15/nonresident
Weekends (per day), $30/resident, $50/nonresident
Holiday (per day), $30/resident, $50/nonresident

• One daily fee may be applied toward the purchase of a season launch pass. Turn in the daily pass card when applying for a season launch pass and the appropriate amount is subtracted from the seasonal launch fee.
• When staff is not present, daily launch passes may be purchased at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Road, weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. or on-site drop box. Motorized boats must have a safety inspection and display the current U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Decal to launch from Park Avenue Beach. Vehicle/trailer length must not exceed 45'.

Parking Fees
Parking regulations are enforced April 1-November 1. Note: Any boat owners who carry their boats on top of their cars pay only a parking fee.

Park Avenue Car Decal
$24/resident, $64/nonresident
Addtl. Car Parking Decal, $17/resident, $24/nonresident (limited to one per family)

Fishing Car Decal
$24/resident, $64/nonresident
Addtl. Car Parking Decal, $17/resident, $24/nonresident (limited to one per family)

Launching Only Fees
Catamaran, $152/resident, $228/nonresident
Power Boat, $330/resident, $495/nonresident
Personal Water Craft, $330/resident, $495/nonresident
Personal Water Craft, $165 (after Aug. 15 residents only)
Sailboat over 18 feet, $330/resident, $495/nonresident
Sailboat 18 feet or under, $152/resident, $228/nonresident

Highland Park residents ONLY ages 65 & older are entitled to a 15% senior discount for season launch passes only. Proof of ownership of boat and Highland Park residency required.

Boat Storage & Launching
Catamaran, $370/resident, $555/nonresident
Power Boat/PWC, $540/resident, $810/nonresident
Sailboat over 18 feet, $540/resident, $810/nonresident
Sailboat 18 feet or under, $370/resident, $555/nonresident

Board Boat Storage (Storage fee does not include parking decal)
Storage all tiers/cable, $130/resident, $195/nonresident
Mast & Sail Storage, $25/resident, $38/nonresident

Schedule

May 3-September 1 Ramp Hours: 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Attendant Hours: No staffing after September 1, 2008. Closing procedures begin October 1, 2008.

Note: Attendants on duty weekends only from May 3-May 25. Attendants on duty weekdays and weekends May 26-August 24. Facility staffed August 30 - September 1. Any staffing after September 1 will be at the discretion of the Park District.

Important: Trailer/vehicle length must not exceed 45'

WARNING: The dredging process cannot be completed at this time due to permit concerns. The Park District is working to resolve this issue.

Rules and Regulations

2008 BOATING SEASON

Fishing/Boating

• Park District decals are required to launch a boat or park a car at the Park Avenue facility.
  Access to the Park Avenue facility is limited to Park District decal users. Decals are available beginning Mar. 3 at West Ridge Center.  Vehicles not displaying the appropriate decal are subject to a fine. DECAL MUST BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED TO THE VEHICLE TO BE VALID.
• A parking area for vehicles with attached trailers is available. Vehicle/trailer length must not exceed 45'.

Boat Launching Season Privileges

• All launching at Park District facilities is on a fee basis.
• Applications for season privileges must be made in-person starting Monday , March 3 at West Ridge Center during regular office hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.). Mail-in registration is accepted at West Ridge Center, ATTN: Jim Harkness, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035. BOAT DECALS ARE ISSUED FOR EACH LAUNCHING PRIVILEGE AND MUST BE AFFIXED TO THE BOAT.
• A completed registration must include:
• Fully completed registration form, complete payment and a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Safety Ckeck  inspection sheet.
• Residents must include proof of residency to receive resident rates.
• Boats over the length of 21 feet may have difficulty launching in low water situations. Caution must be taken to prevent damage to the ramp and boat.
• Season launch passes are sold according to boat type. Each season launch pass includes one launch decal and one trailer/vehicle parking decal.
• All motorized boat owners must have a safety inspection and display the current U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Decal. It is mandatory that these safety requirements be met before purchasing launching privileges. A completed inspection sheet must be presented when applying for decals. To make an appointment for the safety examination call Barney Zaffron at 847.562.1416 or Donna Feldman at 847.945.6677. Completed inspection sheets must be shown when applying for decals.
• All boats launching from Park Avenue must not exceed factory setting on noise levels and must conform to all federal, state and local laws concerning noise levels. Violators are subject to suspension of launching privileges.

Personal Water Craft (P.W.C.) Launching Regulations: Jet Ski, Wave Runner, etc.

• P.W.C. owners must purchase a season launch pass. Daily launch passes are not available.
• Personal Flotation Devices (P.F.D.) must be worn at all times.
• P.W.C. must be at Idle Speed only in harbor and within 300 yards of ramp/fishing area.
• P.W.C. must have a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary safety inspection prior to registering for a pass.
• P.W.C. may beach immediately north of the water treatment plant on weekends or at the South Beach Mon-Fri at the attendant’s discretion.
• All P.W.C. must not exceed factory setting on noise levels.
• No operations of P.W.C. are allowed between sunset/sunrise.
• P.W.C. are considered boats and must adhere to all rules and regulations at the Park Avenue facility.
• P.W.C. owners are responsible for any use of the P.W.C. Misuse is subject to disciplinary action.

Notice to Fisherman
Due to space limitations, no one person may have more than two poles and one net while fishing at the Park Avenue facility. Angle parking is available for vehicles not more than 20 feet long.

Illinois Boat Registration & Safety Act
Section 13: No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat. Persons at least 10 years of age and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorboat only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and under the direct control of a parent or guardian. Persons at least 12 years of age and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorboat only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and under the direct control of a parent or guardian, or such motorboat operator is in possession of a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Education, authorizing the holder to operate motorboats. Violations of this Section done with the knowledge of a parent or guardian shall be deemed a violation by the parent or guardian and punishable under Chapter 625, Article 11a of this Act. For a complete set of Park Avenue facility regulations and procedures contact Jim Harkness at 847.579.3121.

Affiliates, Sponsors or Recognized Organizations

North Shore Yacht Club