Sign Up For City Newsletters
Text Size
Translate
Accessible Beaches
Mobi-Mats locations:
- Lighthouse Beach
- Clark Street Beach
- Greenwood Beach
- Dempster Beach and Sailing Facility
- Lee Street Beach
- South Blvd Beach
Note: Accessible parking and bathrooms are available at all locations listed above.
Beach Wheelchair Service
Beach wheelchairs are available for use by the public free of charge at select beaches on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you may reserve a wheelchair ahead of time. Reservations are taken no earlier than 5 days in advance, and no later than 24 hours before, reservation date. If you need assistance making a reservation, please contact the Dempster Street Beach Office at 847-866-4167.
Please be prepared to fill out a Beach Wheelchair Liability Release Form and leave a valid driver license or ID to hold as collateral until the chair is returned. This form only needs to be completed once per season. The waiver and liability form must be turned into the office upon arrival to borrow the wheelchair. Physical copies are available at the beach office and may be completed at the time of checkout. If you need assistance completing the form, a staff member will be on-site and available to assist you.
View and download the waiver and liability form.
- Wheelchairs Available: 3
- 1 adult size at Clark Street Beach
- 1 adult size and 1 child size to be shared at Greenwood/Dempster/Lee St. beaches
- At this time, wheelchairs are not available at Lighthouse and South Beaches
- Days Available: Monday-Sunday, seven days a week
- Hours Available: During posted swimming hours. Call the Dempster Street Beach Office to confirm availability. View beach hours.
- Time Limit: No maximum time limit
- Wheelchair Use Cost: Free
- Parking: Accessible parking is available at all beach locations.
- Requirements: Signed liability waiver and an ID to be left at the Beach Office. ID will be returned when the wheelchair is returned.
- Bathrooms: All beaches have accessible bathrooms
Beach Wheelchair Rules and Guidelines
- For your safety, please review the manufacturers guidelines prior to use.
- Individuals making reservations must be 18 years of age or older. Unfortunately, we cannot loan a wheelchair to a minor without a signed waiver by a parent or guardian. An adult 18+ needs to be present in order to borrow a wheelchair.
- Users shall be responsible for transporting the wheelchair to and from the beach offices
- Beach wheelchairs are intended to assist those with disabilities.
- Observe uneven terrain to prevent tipping (i.e., slopes, inclines, angles, etc.)
- No water activity. The wheelchair must not enter the lake. It is not a floatation device.
- Users' personal property will be stored at their own risk; the City assumes no liability for care. Personal wheelchairs may be left at the Dempster Street Beach Office inside the breezeway (ticket window area) and on the outdoor lakeside patio (next to the lifeguard station) at the Clark Street Beach Office.
- No modifications are to be made to the wheelchair
- Users are strongly encouraged to properly wear and fasten the safety belt
- Sun and heat may cause metal parts to become extremely hot – use caution
- The anti-tip/parking brake mechanism is one of the most important safety features. This component doubles as a wheel brake and anti-tipping device. To prevent free-rolling and tipping, users must engage the parking brake when the wheelchair is stationary.
- Users or their guardians/parents will be required to pay for any damages to the wheelchair
- City of Evanston reserves the right to revoke the privilege of beach wheelchair use if the beach wheelchair is misused.
About the Beach Wheelchair
Beach wheelchairs are equipped with large, wide wheels which can roll across the sand without sinking. They usually require users to be accompanied by someone pushing them. View manufacturer instruction manual.
Adult Size Specifications
- Seat width: 18.5” to suit up to 18” hip width
- Seat height: 19.75”
- Seat depth: seat back to hinge lever 22.44″
- Seat height: seat to top of seat back 20.47″
- Maximum width: 38.75”
- Turning circle: 39.35”
- Height from ground to top handles: 40.25”
- Weight limit: 264 lbs.
- View photo of wheelchair
Child Size Specifications
- Seat width: 14.25” to suit up to 13.75” hip width
- Seat height: 18.5”
- Seat depth: seat back to hinge lever 17.32″
- Seat height: Seat to top of seat back 20.07″
- Maximum width: 33”
- Turning circle: 29.50”
- Height from ground to top handles: 39.75”
- Weight limit: 143 lbs.
- View photo of wheelchair
Donate to the Beach Wheelchair Fund
You can support Evanston beaches by donating to the beach operation fund. These funds support a variety of initiatives at the beach including the funding of new accessible equipment.
No Throw Zone
In an effort to continue improving accessibility and inclusivity at the lakefront, the Parks and Recreation Department will be implementing "No Throw Zones" at two of our beaches this summer. Both Lee Street and Clark Street beaches will include designated areas where visitors can enjoy the beach without the presence of recreational equipment in the air including balls, frisbees, and/or kites. These "No Throw Zones" are meant to allow individuals with disabilities, families with young children, or anyone who may feel comfortable in a less active sand space to be more at ease. A sign will be posted at each of these beaches indicating the assigned "No Throw Zone" areas and the beaches' Mobi-mats (the blue accessible paths already in place on the sand) will help to clearly identify the zone borders. Lifeguards will assist with enforcing these rules and we thank all visitors in advance for your attention to these important updates.
