I love this beach so much! It's beautiful and clean, but just recently, they fenced up a few parts of the beach and now require payment for residents and non-residents AND when you leave one part of the paid beach to move to another part, you have to pay again! Which is absurd. I was also thinking about renting out a shelter for a party, but the park doesn't allow you to bring your own grill, doesn't allow alcohol, only provides you with two tables, and you have to still pay for parking and access to the beach. It all just seems like a money grab, which sucks because the beach was free to the public for so long! I know a lot of people are upset about the new rules. Aside from that, there is a park, tennis courts, and Fat Shallot, where they serve food and drinks. There is also a patio area to eat and drink, and outdoor showers. PARK ON MICHIGAN AVE and just walk down to avoid some fees! read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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A park and a beach is along the lake. Gillson Park is the best thing about Wilmette, and beats any of those overcrowded ones farther south. If you want to actually be able to walk on a beach and not feel crowded, then head up a ways. Be careful about where you park because you can find places for free. There's also plenty of green space for athletic fields. Gillson is a big park, and that makes it feel not as crowded. It has several different parts. There's the actual park with the grass and trees. It's often very quiet here. Where's all the people? At the beach. This beach is still less crowded than any of the Chicago beaches full of both locals and tourists. It has a nice little play area. The sand is pretty clear of debris for the most part. Also at this park is a big ass marina. There's lots of boats, and there's also a club you can join if you can pay up. However you spend time here, just be careful about parking or it may be costly. It has pay lots close to the beach but you can find free parking on the residential streets. They have certain places where you can't park though, so pay attention to signs and whatever. read more

Gillson Park - Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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No parking, everything is extra $$. The employees and residents are snarky and rude if you don't "look" like you live around there. Used to be a nice free clean beach but now full of stuck up POS's. Make the drive to an Indiana beach instead. read more

Always love going to this beach for a relaxing moment in a stressful day. Great place to take kids to play at the beach as well. Nice and clean. read more

The Wilmette Park District has ruined this beautiful place. The entire beach, for the entire summer, will have an admission fee now. Additionally, thru have put up fencing that makes it look like a prison camp and obstructs views for anyone sitting on benches. And the worst part is, that now, as a resident, I can no longer walk my dog along the beach. We have been going everyday for three years. She loves our walks. It's so sad and so incredibly discriminatory. The whole thing is a money grab. I guess my taxes aren't enough for them. Way to be elitist, Wilmette! As a resident, I am ashamed and disgusted with what they have done. read more

Another hidden gem just north of Northwestern University. Such beautiful sand and water. Perfect for a morning stroll. The pictures speak for themselves as you can see quite far with the blue skies. read more

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This is a big lakefront park with a beach that isn't too crowded. It's kind of hidden from the main road (Sheridan) which helps keep it from getting too crazy. There is a nice pirate-themed playgroimd for the kids too. read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

This is a great park with tons of room to social distance and spread out from people while still enjoying the outdoors. Free parking is readily available and there's tons of room to just sit in the grass or venture out and get closer by the water. The sand is a little rougher then the swimming beach and there's no life guards but for 0 admission fee this is great and the park was super clean and free of liter. A real hidden gem in the NorthShore! read more

Gillson Park - Sand n water - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Parking - 20$.... nuff said Picnic/BBQ area - So we threw my younger sisters birthday bbq here and besides our family being 10 cars deeps 10x20 -- holy horse flies!! they were everywhere!! They were biting everyone. There were no mosquitos as we had the thermacelll mosquito repellant-- maybe the park even sprayed the area before to prevent mosquitos but the flies were so f'in annoying! I almost prefer the mosquitos because we wouldn't feel the sharp bite. Also, you have to pay 15$/3 hrs. Which is ridiculous to me! I have gone to way nicer BBQ areas with no fee and no horse flies. Also... the grill was dirty AF. We bought some cheap grill covers to cook our food. Beach - The beach was pretty, but you have to pay for this too! 10$ to get in.. The Bathroom was dirty! We were at the area from 2pm-10pm and went to the bathroom and everything was as it was earlier, Dirty - water bottles in the same spot at 2pm and at 8pm! Since we are paying 10$ a head.. (even for those who aren't swimming just parental guardians) then you would THINK they can afford to pay a cleaning team to make sure the bathroom is nice and clean. Nope. Too much to ask. The only thing that was different was there was a HUGE SPIDER at 8pm blocking the door. I had to pretend like I was double dutching to jump into the bathroom while dodging the spider. Overall - NOT worth the money for the experience. You can go somewhere free and have a better time for sure. The area, for charging all these fees, was not nice, exclusive, or private. Feel like this brings the quality of the neighborhood down. Tip: Re-furbish.... EVERYTHING!! read more

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Super close to the Bahi temple. Great walking along the area. Yes there is fence there just for social distances. Even on a weekday and weekend everyone is wearing mask. And cares about social distances. Everyone is nice towards each other. Closer to the beach there are restrooms which are gender neutral friendly. Parking is free. read more

Beautiful area... If you want to spend family time, get fresh air and enjoy the outdoors then this is the place for you.. Free parking, clean area, beach is nice... This is a must visit if you are in the area. Love love.. I highly recommend this beach/park. read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

It's great that Lake pretty much dead ends into the beach, but the cost is not worth it. You pay to park and pay to get to the beach. That's too much money being spent to lay near a lake. Their beach house is filthy, too--especially the bathrooms. Try parking in the residential areas and walk to the beach if you want to save money. The only good thing this location has going for it is the free summer concert series, which are an absolute staple in my life. read more

I was in search of random green spots on the map when I came across Gillson park and being very fond of nature, beach and Baha'I, what more could I ask. Overall it's a big park located in a beautiful quiet neighborhood. There's ample open ground for some Frisbee action or just a fun play with your pet. I had personally come here on a sunny November afternoon for a little picnic. Thought it was perfectly quiet for a book read and a nap. It was too cold for the beach but I could see how it would be wonderful once it gets warm. - Parking wasn't a hassle for me. Can't wait to be back in the summer. read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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They have kids park which was fun for the kids. Then we went to the beach they said we have to pay. I didnt even know you have to pay to go to beach. read more

Great park! Nice playground with slides, swings, a couple play areas for toddlers and older kids. Good parking, came on a late Sunday afternoon and had a picnic. No public restroom because it's Sunday, and didn't see port-a-potty anywhere. That's the only downfall. Right by the shore, so you can take a walk on the sandy beach. Beautiful park! We'll come again for sure! read more

Doesnt get much better than this for a beach away from the city. My family has been coming here for many years and its an ideal spot for a laid back Sunday or Holiday. Parking is a slight issue as most nearby spots are reserved for permit holding residents of the neighborhood, but.. get over it? Gillsion Park has benches and grills (you may have to pay a small fee when busy to reserve) for you to enjoy. Benches are spacious and grills are safe. The absolutely incredible Bahai temple is just minutes away and is a must see - if for some reason you havent already. The beach is one of my favorites. Always a great family crowd mixed with some Northwestern students - i have always loved the vibe here. Come on a Sunday with a blanket and a book! read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Great facility. HOWEVER: FOOD VENDORS HERE SUCK. TOOK ME 40 MINUTES TO GET A BOILED HOT DOG. Could've driven over to Jewel Osco, bought the ingredients myself, went home and cooked them, and returned to the beach to find that the food line hadn't moved. Plus boogie boards/other fun water equipment isn't allowed. Nobody adheres to the umbrella rules and nobody picks up wrappers. Common sense, to say the least? read more

The beach itself is nice but sooo expensive. For people without parking passes it's $20 and on top of that non residents pay $15 and residents pay $9. In my opinion a rip off and overpriced. read more

Just went to Gillson park for the first time. They have a dog park and free access to the beach no need to pay the $8 dollar fee and parking is also free you can park along the street by the national coast guard building. read more

Gillson Park - A day in the beach. - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Gilson is a great park with a free beach, a token and cash beach, a boat harbor, a music/performance stage. Good deal if your a Wilmette resident to park and use the park/beach but get ready to park on the street and open the piggy bank if your a non-resident. I've been here dozens of times over the years and the token/cash beach is really a very nice sandy beach. As you go North from here the beaches tend to get a little rocky and that is uncomfortable on my size 14 tootsies. They'll chase you out of the water at the free beach though. You'll need to use the street parking on the weekends and getting a spot where you don't have to walk a mile is rare. Get there before 11am, trust me. Went there on Memorial weekend and my only complaint was the port-a-potties were trashed. If I had planned to spend the day there and had kids with me I would have been super pissed off. Resident or no resident! read more

We absolutely love coming to this park. Its beautiful, serene, and alot of fun for my dogs and kids. You can catch glimpses of the Baha'i Temple and check out boats. There are also kayaks, paddle board and picnic areas to rent and reserve. In the summer months I love going to the beach with my kids. It's just a fun, relaxing time. Snacks and the grill are open when they are in season. My dogs love running up and down the beach. There is a part of the beach that is blocked off just for dogs so we go there after memorial day. The district is building a new swing set too but it's not open yet. Hopefully soon! Can't wait to spend more time there this summer. read more

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fireworks! By far the most beautiful vista to celebrate the Red, White and Blue! read more

I had my Sweet 16 here. I picked mulberries here. I got drunk as a teenager here. I flirted with lifeguards here. And, once, when I was 15, and my friend pointed out the tag was sticking out of the back of my bikini I turned, facing the water, and lifted my hair high above my head so she could fix it, and she accidentally just unfastened the whole damn thing, sending my bikini top floating to the ground while I held my hair aloft, arms outstretched, flashing Lake Michigan. For that alone it should get 5 stars. Because when I was 15 I had some fabulous knockers. read more

Beautiful beach and picnic spot for those who dont want to drive into the city. There is a parking lot near the beach that fills up on sunny days. It is $20 to JUST park there or you have to park on the street, which is free. If I am driving a carload of kids- I pay to park. Admission on to the beach is $7.25 per adult. Bathrooms in the main building and nice hand shower to rinse of sand. Nice choices for food at the snack stand or you are allowed to bring a cooler. They are left by the entranceway dining area. For moms with tots there is a mat walkway out to the water's edge, so stroller wheels dont sink in the sand. Lifeguards are plenty and next door is a fun kayak, sailfish, sailboat rental place. read more

Gillson Beach is my favorite Chicago area beach. It is relatively clean and has lifeguards on duty Memorial Day through Labor Day. The main beach has a small playground as well. There is a hotdog grill stand that smells good but we always bring our own. I don' t like to come here on really windy days as my elementary school aged children can easily get swept out a little too far and then get engulfed by rogue waves and that freaks me out. It stays shallow for a long time but then has pockets of deeper water before the rope. And of course, they always like to go out to the rope. And that would be a long swim for me or the lifeguard to have to swim out to quickly. It stinks to have to pay so much for both parking and entrance but as long as they keep it clean and safe, I am happy to spend the day with my kids. I want to say it came to something like $30-35 for our non-resident family of four which seems excessive for us non-rich folk. But I guess it keeps the riff raff out - or does it? I sometimes come in the spring before Memorial Day and just let the kids play with their sand toys. Then it is free. Just southeast of the bathhouse is a big ampitheatre the kids like to run around on and a few little garden paths. Further south from the main beach is a bit more rustic with reads though I don't think non-residents are supposed to park on the road there. If you go off season, I don' t think they check. And it's a little bit more intimate atmosphere for a picnic and playing in the sand. From the Northwest Suburbs take Euclid/Lake Street straight east and you will drive right into the parking lot. read more

Grew up nearby, spent a lot of quality time here. Recently took a little video while on a walk with the dog, if you're interested in a closer look: Walk through Wilmette Harbor & Gillson Park http://youtu.be/twxU2159ofc read more

Don't visit this park/Beach if you're planing on going for a swim. They have such beautiful beaches here yet they will mark out a tiny bit of the beach and charge you to swim there. What's the point of having all these beaches if you can't use them? They had three people working on the beach just to tell people not to swim instead of just hiring someone as a lifeguard. Beaches should be open for anyone. So sad when city's like Wilmette take advantage like this and it makes tourists wanna stay away too. read more

I've been taking my kids to Gillson Park beach for 8 years now. For me, it's the most beautiful beach around, I love spending the day there, we were there yesterday. The new remodel this year is amazing! What an upgrade to the parking lots, bathrooms, beach house etc... it all looks so natural and fits in well with the environment. What disappoints though is the amount of trash strewn about in the new planted areas of beach grass. All the weeds taking over the planted spaces in the parking lot. The tables at the outdoor seating area at the snack shack were dirty, ketchup stuck between the metal mesh tops. Soap spilled all over the bathroom sink area. What a bummer. This is a beautiful new space and I'm sure this costs a whole lot to the town, it's a real gem now and to see it not being taken care of is a slap in the face of the residents and visitors alike. I will continue to go to Gillson but it's a shame to see this, I hope beach staff and beach goers will make the effort to pick up...leave no trace people. read more

Ah life's a beach! (So they say) This is THE beach in Wilmette. But not only a beach. There are boat rentals and a "sailing beach." An awesome playground. Beach volleyball. Lighted tennis courts. Grills ($10 for a permit). Fireworks on the 3rd of July. A dog beach. Free concerts and plays at the Wallace Bowl during the warmer months. And lots and lot of open space for whatever you have in mind. read more

Hand down best park for swimming, fishing, walleybal and kids play graund is ok.parking can we hard if you not resident of willmete.it can get pretty packed on good summer days read more

Gillson Park - Good waves today - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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Very peaceful, quiet, and not crowded at all!! We are hoping to spend some holidays with the family out here away from all the hustle and bustle of the typical beach. read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Beautiful and clean beach but going in the water is not allowed which I wish we had known prior to going there. The "security" kids were constantly scolding our 3 children who were of course going in the water to play. They finally came up to us, the parents, to rudely tell us we were on our final warning. If our children went back in the water, we would be asked to leave. It would have been nice if we had been issued other warnings before this. Warning young children should not count. The woman next to us had 3 kids with her who were also going in the water. "Security" called the police to have her removed which is going quite overboard and ridiculous given her only offense was that her kids were in the water. There are NO signs anywhere that state going in the water is not permitted. There is a "no swimming" sign which we all interpreted as going in the lake knee deep is still allowed. The swimming beach next door is only open for season pass holders so we ended up going home. We will not be returning to this "children" run beach again. read more

This is a really nice beach. The concept of charging for admission is a great idea in that it keeps the beach clean. If people pay to go in, they are more likely to respect the beach. I wish my home country of Mexico would do the same with its beaches. It can definitely take a lesson from Wilmette. It could have resident and non resident fees. But I know that will never happen. This place is definitely a gem in Chicagoland. Wilmette residents are lucky to have such a nice beach :-) read more

Great park, clean, very well maintained tennis courts. Have had a barbeque here with friends in the summer and go here occasionally for beach time. I have only paid once to actually go into the "swimming" part of the beach where there are "lifeguards" on duty. I like the volleyball nets (2 I think). As nice as the paid portion is, I think the free part is awesome! It's a teeny bit more of a trek and you get kicked out of the water every 10 minutes but goddammit it is good, free fun! (It's free once you walk south and the fence ends) :) read more

My husband and I decided that our son's first time at the beach should be at Gillson Beach. It's much cleaner and safer. The entrance fee was definitely worth it. The sand was clean, there were plenty of life guards within visibility, and we had plenty of space for ourselves. There was a snack shack nearby that we did not visit, but it seemed to have a variety of options for children and adults. My son also enjoyed the whale sculpture that sprayed water out of its spout (although we had to wait for the other children to move from the spout-I guess they enjoyed sitting on it). The water was a lot colder than in Chicago (about 15 degrees!). But we felt safe leaving our belongings to go into the water. There were several people who even left their babies in their sun tents while taking a dip in the water (just to give you a better idea of how safe it was). It was $11 for nonresidents and $9 for residents. My son entered for free :) read more

This is a great park. It has a public and private residential part. I recommend the private beach if you are a resident. It's less crowded and has lifeguards on duty. There's also a concession stand and park in the sand for the kids. There's also shelters you can reserve for parties and get-togethers. There's tennis courts and a pretty sweet public park too! The park is generally well-kept and clean. read more

Gillson Park - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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Beautiful park in Wilmette with pretty gardens, adjacent to the Lake Michigan Beach. It also has a playground on the beach that was newly renovated. In the summer, the Wilmette park district organizes great free summer of sounds concerts at the Wallace Bowl on the weekends that we really enjoy. The concert are usually not crowded and they have a small dance floor area where people can dance. read more

Great Place for group BBQ, Volleyball, Beach Walk, & children to run around! I've these place more than 10 times! read more

Gillson Park - Bbq - Parks Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

I love the beaches at Gillson! I know there is a review from an out of stater that was complaining about the guards that are there to keep everyone safe. I guess since he has never been to Lake Michigan he was confused that there are real dangers in the unguarded areas. There are rip currents in the lake and it drops off on the south end towards the dog beach. So if you don't live here and don't know you may think it is "silly" that you can't swim everywhere but if YOUR child would had gone out and gotten in trouble in the water then YOU would be the first person to complain that there were no signs telling you not to swim there! As far as the fees go. Parking is limited so yes you have to pay to park. There is free parking outside the park. You don't have to pay to use the rest of the park and the reason you are paying for the beach, is to swim in a safe guarded area. The confession stands are there for food and drinks and they don't allow food on the beach to keep it clean and bird free! If you go to the other areas that they do allow food you will see the birds think the food is for them! I have lived in this community for over twenty years and am glad they have the rules in place. It is a wonderful place to visit and enjoy! Next time bring some tennis racquets and balls and play a game or have the kids play in the playground or take a walk around the grounds, or come to a show at the Wallace Bowl (free). Rent a kayak, SUP, or sailboat! There is so much to do at Gillson Park! read more

Gilson is a nice beach, but after paying for parking and admittance my wallet was a lot thinner. I like avoiding the Chicago crowds, but I don't always want to pay so much to do it. read more