Evanston closes Greenwood Street Beach for the summer due to shortage of lifeguards

On the longest day of the yr, with a few of the hottest temperatures in years, the long-lasting lakefront in Chicago and its suburbs remains to be with out sufficient lifeguards.

“There must be another incentives by the town of Chicago, metropolis of Evanston, simply to up the ante just a little bit and make it extra palatable for youngsters,” stated Chris Tirres.

The empty lifeguard stands are one more unintended consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There is a scarcity of total of individuals working,” stated Audrey Thompson, director of the Parks and Recreation Division for the town of Evanston. “It is not simply on the lakefront.”

And it isn’t simply right here. The American Lifeguard Affiliation stated the nationwide, important scarcity of lifeguards has compelled seashore and lakefront cities like Chicago and Evanston to make powerful choices.

“We simply wish to be sure that all of our residents are secure,” stated Thompson. “If meaning closing a seashore, meaning closing the seashore.”

A number of would-be swimmers have been turned away from Greenwood Road Seaside Monday after the town introduced it could stay closed for the remainder of the summer time.

“We needed to be sure that now we have sufficient lifeguards on the extra populated seashores, simply to make sure security,” Thompson stated.

The town stated Greenwood remains to be open for different water leisure sports activities.

“It is form of an incredible factor for sailors and folk who’ve water craft,” Tirres stated.

“It is a disgrace; it makes it tough for folks to have the ability to get pleasure from our beautiful lakefront,” stated Marella Landis.

The American lifeguard Affiliation estimates the lifeguard shortages impacts one third of U.S. swimming swimming pools, and that quantity is anticipated to develop to half of all public swimming pools nationwide by August, when many teenage lifeguards return to highschool.

The Chicago Park District has pushed again opening public swimming pools from June 24 to July 5.

Public well being consultants are involved that much less lifeguards this summer time will enhance danger of great accidents or drownings, making the decision for licensed lifeguards extra essential than ever.