Kenosha County residents got an early summer blast of heat this past week, sending many people scrambling to find their swimsuits, towels, chairs and sunscreen and get to a beach. <\/p>\n
Lucky for us, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy a day at the beach and a jump into a lake. <\/p>\n
But which lake? Local beachcombers have a variety of choices, from big beaches on big Lake Michigan to smaller inland lakes in the western part of the county. <\/p>\n
If youre looking for a place in the sun, this guide can help you decide which spot works best for you. Keep in mind, there are no bad beaches (well ... maybe a few), just bad choices. <\/p>\n
n Simmons Island Beach: 5001 Simmons Island Drive. <\/p>\n
This large beach has a lot to recommend it with LARGE being its biggest asset. You have plenty of room to spread your beach towel and, for swimming space, you cant beat Lake Michigan. <\/p>\n
Warning: Be careful out there! Stick close to the shore and NEVER jump off that lighthouse pier. Lake Michigan is beautiful, but it can also be dangerous and an undertow can overpower even the strongest swimmers. <\/p>\n
Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: Simmons Island Beach has that iconic Kenosha view of our red lighthouse. <\/p>\n
Also good: A boardwalk! And were nowhere near Coney Island! Using the boardwalk, you can walk from the beach parking lot most of the way to the lighthouse pier without having to trudge through hot sand. Id love it if the boardwalk was extended even farther north and south, but its a good start. Whats NOT good? The graffiti on the boardwalk. Knock it off! <\/p>\n
I also like the beach grasses growing on either side of the boardwalk. I can pretend Im at the Outer Banks ... until I see the Kenosha water tower looming in the background. Still, it adds a nice beachy vibe to the area. <\/p>\n
Needs work: Aside from the restrooms, which are clean, its a crime to see how bad the Simmons Island beach house looks. Its mostly boarded up, and some of the concrete pillars on the beach side are crumbling. A real shame. <\/p>\n
Also, the playground equipment that was on the beach in past summers has vanished. Will it never return? <\/p>\n
n Pennoyer Park Beach: 3601 Seventh Ave. <\/p>\n
This beach is adjacent to the band shell at the south end of Kennedy Park Drive. <\/p>\n
Warning: Be careful out there! Lake Michigan is a serious body of water, with powerful currents. <\/p>\n
Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: There are indoor restrooms and nearby tennis courts. And, when its not being repaired, the band shell hosts concerts and other events. <\/p>\n
Needs work: The beach could use a good grooming. <\/p>\n
n Southport Beach: 7825 First Ave. <\/p>\n
This Lake Michigan swimming spot is located on the north side of the beach house. There are swing sets on a hill. <\/p>\n
Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: The park area overlooking Lake Michigan is wonderful for walking or just sitting, catching a breeze and watching the boats go by. <\/p>\n
Needs work: It does tend to stink of rotting fish here when the weather gets hot and the wind isnt blowing. Also, there are no indoor restrooms open to the public unless you sneak in during a private event when the doors are left open. (If you cant get inside the building, theres a porta-potty in the parking lot. Talk about a stink!) <\/p>\n
n Eichelman Park Beach: 6125 Third Ave. <\/p>\n
This city beach has lots of shade, picnic tables and plenty of benches. There is also a restroom and drinking fountain. <\/p>\n
Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: The twin parks Eichelman and Wolfenbuttel are close to downtown shops, restaurants and bars plus you cant beat a stroll through the flower gardens. If youre there on a weekend, chances are youll get to watch a wedding ceremony. <\/p>\n
Needs work: The bottom of the swimming area is very rocky. Make sure to pack aqua shoes or sport sandals. <\/p>\n
n Carol Beach public beach: South of 100th Street on Lakeshore Drive in Pleasant Prairie. (From the north, take 90th Street east from Seventh Avenue to the lake and head south on Lakeshore Drive to 108th Street. From the south, enter Carol Beach Estates at 116th Street and head east.) <\/p>\n
Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: Its a long beach that stretches along the greatest of the Great Lakes. <\/p>\n
Needs work: There are no services here. (So, maybe go easy on the liquids ... or be prepared to wade out into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan as your restroom.) Also, the parking lots are not paved. <\/p>\n
n Lake Andrea: Highway 165 in Pleasant Prairie. <\/p>\n
The large, sandy beach has picnic tables, a beach volleyball court, restrooms and a concession stand. You can also rent canoes, kayaks and various boats. All in all, you cant go wrong spending a day here. <\/p>\n
Top choice: If you like well cared-for sand, this is the beach for you. You wont find sticks, rocks and goose droppings here; you can tell it is regularly groomed. <\/p>\n
Also good: The swimming area has a clean, sandy bottom (with NO WEEDS) that is easy on the feet. <\/p>\n
Return of the Wibit! The Wibit floating obstacle course\/raft water attraction very popular with kids (and adults) was missing in 2016 after being sent out for repairs. Its back, baby! <\/p>\n
Needs work: Its not cheap to spend an afternoon here. Daily admission fees are $7 per person for Kenosha County residents. Thats the same price for someone driving in from Maryland or, worse, Illinois! If you want a price break, you must be a Pleasant Prairie not Kenosha County resident. Cant we get the neighbor discount? Were all in the same county! <\/p>\n
n Old Settlers Park: on Highway 50 in Paddock Lake. <\/p>\n
This pretty park has lots and lots of shade trees, ample parking and plenty of picnic tables and grills. It also has restrooms and changing areas. <\/p>\n
Top choice: There is a small sand beach with a good-sized swimming area and a large grassy area with shade! in the park. Also, its free Monday-Friday. <\/p>\n
Needs work: The weeds that have populated the swimming area in past summers are still there (though the weeds do seem to be less bothersome this summer). <\/p>\n
Lifeguards? Fees? Though the Kenosha County Parks website states that lifeguards are on duty on weekends (and fees are charged), when we visited Sunday (June 11), there were no lifeguards and no one collecting fees. If you want to make sure lifeguards are present, head to Silver Lake Park. <\/p>\n
Bonus: Theres a dog park next to the beach, so the whole family can find something fun to do. <\/p>\n
Looking ahead: The Twilight Jazz Concert Series opens its season on July 11 with a free concert in the park, and the Oktoberfest is Sept. 9. <\/p>\n
n Silver Lake Park: on County Road F in the town of Salem. <\/p>\n
This is probably the most popular beach in Kenosha County. Theres a big grassy area, with picnic tables and grills, swing sets, a softball diamond and a volleyball court. <\/p>\n
The swimming area is very large, with shallow water. The bottom of the swimming area is generally sandy and not too yucky. <\/p>\n
There are concessions, restrooms and changing areas. <\/p>\n
Top choice: Lots of green space, lots of amenities, lots of water. <\/p>\n
Also good: Want to go for a walk? A quarter-mile long paved path leads out from the far end of the park area to the Silver Lake boat launch, following the lakeshore. <\/p>\n
Needs work: The beach area is rocky, not sandy. I suggest staying on the grass to avoid all those sharp little rocks on your tender feet. <\/p>\n
New this year: You can rent kayaks and paddleboards at the beach ($15 for the first hour and $5 for each additional hour). <\/p>\n
Say it isnt so! The Snoopy ice cream bar a summer tradition has been replaced by Hello Kitty and SpongeBob Squarepants. Thats hardly an equal swap ... and, on the day we visited, they were out of SpongeBob. <\/p>\n
n DeWitt Park: on Highway B in Silver Lake. <\/p>\n
This small city beach in Silver Lake has a swing set, a portable restroom and a few benches. Kids like swimming here because they can use toys in the water. <\/p>\n
Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: Its free, and you can use water toys at this beach. Bring on the noodles! <\/p>\n
Needs work: The swimming area at this beach has a lot of weeds, and the bottom is mucky in spots. <\/p>\n
Warning: Theres no parking lot; you have to find a spot across the street. And that can be difficult on a busy weekend. <\/p>\n
n Lance Park: on Lake Mary in Twin Lakes. <\/p>\n
This beach has a big swimming area, ample parking, plus a picnic area with shade trees and two picnic tables. And its free. Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: There are clean indoor restrooms in a building just west of the beach area. <\/p>\n
Needs work: The beach area is rocky and covered with seaweed. (Stick to the grass, but watch out for goose droppings!) <\/p>\n
Ouch: The bottom of the swimming area is VERY rocky (wear aqua shoes). <\/p>\n
Warning: The swimming area is next to a busy boat launch. Not only do you need to steer clear of the boats, you also have to breathe in engine fumes. <\/p>\n
Bonus: Forgot to pack a beach book? The worlds cutest Little Library is at the beach. (Look for the Cat in the Hat.) <\/p>\n
Bonus II: You can watch the Aquanuts Water Ski shows, which are 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays from this area. The shows are free. <\/p>\n
n Lily Lake: on Lily Lake Road in the town of Wheatland. <\/p>\n
This beach has a large swimming area. There is parking across the street. Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: Theres a pier for jumping into the lake, and you can bring water toys. <\/p>\n
Needs work: Weeds, weeds, weeds! <\/p>\n
n Powers Lake: on Lake Park Drive in the town of Randall. <\/p>\n
This nice little beach has a good-sized swimming area. There is one porta-potty at the beach. Beach toys and rafts can be used. Note: No lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Top choice: The beach is nicely groomed, and I appreciate the big shade trees. <\/p>\n
Needs work: There are in theory two sides to the swimming area, but in reality, you have to stay to the one side of the pier. The other side is choked with weeds. <\/p>\n
Warning: The parking lot fills up on weekends. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
See the rest here: <\/p>\n
Lake Michigan beaches - Kenosha News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Kenosha County residents got an early summer blast of heat this past week, sending many people scrambling to find their swimsuits, towels, chairs and sunscreen and get to a beach. Lucky for us, there are plenty of spots where you can enjoy a day at the beach and a jump into a lake. But which lake Continue reading