Park Perspectives: Sun Shelters, Trellis, and Boardwalk Upgrades at Glencoe Beach

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Ensuring our public spaces are safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all is a top priority for the Glencoe Park District. Recently, Board President Carol Spain and Director of Parks and Planning Kyle Kuhs discussed the improvements needed at Glencoe Beach, focusing on the sun shelters, trellis, and boardwalk.

Understanding the Need for Improvements
Both the sun shelters and Trellis at the beach have served the community well but have now reached the 30-year mark, a significant milestone in their lifecycle. Kyle explains, "The sun shelters are of wooden construction, and that wood is beginning to deteriorate. Nails are starting to pop, and these issues extend to the Trellis as well."

A significant highlight of their discussion is the boardwalk, which provides access to both the sun shelters and the Safran Beach House. This boardwalk is the only ADA-accessible route to the Safran Beach House, making its maintenance crucial. Kyle explains, "We have many issues with the boardwalk, with boards heaving and popping. Beneath the surface is rotting wood, so every time we have to make repairs, there's major sistering of joists, which is a significant effort."

What the Improvements Will Involve
Without aiming for massive wholesale changes, the focus remains on ensuring the structures are accessible and usable for the future. Kyle says, "When we look to improve the boardwalk and the sun shelters, we wouldn't be looking to make any massive changes, just updates to ensure accessibility and usability well into the future."

Final Thoughts
To address important capital facility requirements without increasing the current debt service tax rate, the Glencoe Park District will place a referendum on the November ballot. This referendum aims to secure funding for a variety of Park District projects, such as improvements to the Glencoe Beach Trellis, sun shelters, and boardwalk. Learn more by clicking here.