Emergency Order Limits Millard Beach Access to Residents Only

July 16, 2020

On Wednesday, July 15, Park Board President Barney Ruttenberg and Park District Executive Director Brian Romes issued an Emergency Order, pursuant to the Declaration of Emergency for the State of Illinois, directing that Millard Beach shall be available only for use by residents of the Park District of Highland Park effective immediately.   Non-residents of the Park District of Highland Park shall be prohibited from using Millard Beach unless they are personally accompanied by a resident of the Park District who remains with them during the use of the beach.  View the Emergency Order.

The Emergency Order will expire automatically upon the earlier of (a) the seasonal closure of Millard Beach, (b) the expiration and non-renewal of the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation, or (c) the State of Illinois designating the City of Highland Park to be in Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

“It is especially difficult to limit access to one of our beaches at a time when outdoor recreation is essential for everyone’s health and well-being, however, Millard Beach is a small area and difficult to manage social distancing requirements and capacity limitations prescribed in the Outdoor Recreation guidelines set by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity,” said Park Board President Ruttenberg.  “After careful consideration and for the sake of everyone’s health and safety, the Park District determined it is important to limit access to Millard to residents only at this time.” 

Over the past several weeks, the Park District has taken steps to proactively protect public health and safety by modifying operations at all its public beaches including Rosewood, Park Avenue and Millard Beach.   

Millard Beach
For safety reasons, the Millard Beach roadway gate will remain closed to vehicular traffic.  Resident pedestrian traffic is allowed.  Residents should be prepared to show a valid ID for access.  The capacity limit is 75.  Dogs on leash are allowed.  Swimming is not allowed. 

Rosewood Beach
Highland Park Residents 
Free Resident Parking:  Available at the lower and upper parking lots seven days a week including holidays. (Highland Park City Vehicle Sticker required) 

Free Resident Beach Access:Residents with a valid proof of residency; students of NSSD 112 or Highland Park High School with valid ID; and younger children with a resident parent will receive free access the beach. 

Resident Guest Beach Passes:  Residents may invite a guest to the beach who is a non-resident.  When doing so, residents must park at the upper parking lot and purchase a Resident Guest Beach Pass at the auto-attendant (located at upper Rosewood by the stairs) for a $10 fee. Non-residents using the Resident Guest Beach Pass must be accompanied by a resident to access the beach. 

Non-residents 
Beach Access: Non-residents must purchase a season beach pass for access to Rosewood Beach.  The fee is $100 for an individual and $25 for each additional family member in the same household. Children 4 and under are free.  Non-resident season beach passes may be purchased at the Recreation Center of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. West (Mon-Th 6 am – 6 pm, and Fri-Sun 6 am – 2 pm).

Parking:  Upper lot  (after 12 pm, not including holidays).  Fee: $15/hour or $40/4 hours. (Fees are paid at the auto-attendant located at upper rosewood by the stairs.)

Weekend non-resident beach parking is available at Ravinia School, located at 763 Dean Ave. 
Non-residents may also purchase a season lakefront parking sticker for $275.

Please Note:  Non-resident parking is not allowed at lakefront lots on holidays.

Park Avenue Beach
A season parking sticker is required to access the south lot and boating facility. The north lot requires a city sticker, non-resident lakefront parking decal or a seasonal parking sticker. 

Access to the Park Avenue beach is open to residents and non-residents. The capacity limit for the north end of the beach is 100.  The south end of the beach is designated for boating only.  Swimming is not allowed.  Dogs on leash are allowed on the grounds at the north and south areas, but not on the beach.