Beach proposal on Southside unpopular with residents

Some South Shore residents aren’t happy with the Friends of the Parks’ plan to create off-shore beaches in their neighborhood.

Friends of the Park is pushing a proposal to complete the lake front’s last four miles. Currently, there are 26 miles of public beaches along Chicago’s lake front. The plan would convert two miles of private beaches on the Northside and two miles of private beaches on the Southside into public park space. These off-shore beaches would consist of islands that would include lagoons and bike paths.

Friends of the Park President Erma Tranter calls Chicago a “park poor city” and says the off-shore beaches would benefit residents who live nearby and the general public.

“If we could create a thousand more acres of park space, that would enhance the environmental quality of the city of Chicago,” says Tranter.

But some South Shore residents oppose the plan, which calls for beaches to stretch from 71st Street to Calumet Park. They don’t want off-shore beaches between 71st and 75th streets; the beaches between these streets now are on residential property.

South Shore resident Ethel Wells is among those who fear the plan would greatly alter the community for the worst.

“You know it’s going to be the taxpayers’ money paying for it,” says Wells. “They’re going to take it, and they’re going to mess it up.”

Rainbow Park Advisory Council Treasurer Derric Clemmons believes development of the lake front is inevitable. If the plan becomes reality, Rainbow Park would be directly linked to the new off-shore beaches.

“That progress comes at a price of alienating the people of that community,” says Clemmons. “Whatever the big plan is, (it) needs to be considered with a sense of respect for the people who are already here.”

Other residents say the Friends of the Parks’ concept isn’t such a bad idea. Elijah Hassen, with Partners in Housing Development Corp., says the new beaches would be good for the community.

“I think it will bring jobs and more police into the 7th Ward,” Hassen says.

In June, more than 150 residents packed the South Shore Cultural Center to learn more about the proposal. Residents had about 10 minutes to speak at the 90-minute meeting, which was held June 20th.

During those 10 minutes, angry residents criticized the plan, and audience members showed their support with shouts and applause. The residents especially objected to the proposed creation of off-shore beaches along 71st and 75th streets.

Friends of the Parks representatives responded by telling the community the plans are just concepts and nothing has been done to implement them.

Some residents said they were unhappy about not having more time to voice their opinion at the meeting. South Shore resident Mark Willis lives in the area that would be directly affected by the proposal.

“It was controlled,” Willis said of the meeting. “Our concerns should be heard.”

Willis said he’s worried about an increase in activity if the off-shore beaches become a reality. He is also wondering whether there would be extra patrols for the proposed beach area.

Tranter, of Friends of the Parks, insists the plan will make life better for all Chicago residents.

“It’s not just about the people that just live there,” says Tranter. “We are really looking at giving all Chicagoans additional park land.”

Senior Coastal Geologist Mike Chrzastowki of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources explained how land and water would be affected if the plan was adopted.

“The islands are a very interesting concept,” says Chrzastowki. “The problem is they would be built lake ward of lakeshore residential property, and those people own their beaches.”