Unfence Gillson

03/21/2025

🌊A Generous Gift? Or Just Scraps?🌊

Gillson Beach has 3,450 feet of sand, but the Wilmette Park District has oh-so-graciously allocated just 167 feet for “free access.” Flanked by a dangerous, rip-current-generating seawall on one side and the dog beach on the other, this so-called compromise is nothing more than a postage-stamp-sized insult to the community.

The Park Board calls it “enhanced accessibility.” We call it segregation by paywall—a blatant attempt to privatize our public lakefront. Visit https://vote456.org for change!

09/22/2024

🌊 Must-Read Report: "The Right to the Shoreline" 🌊

We're excited to share a salient report from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs that examines the history of beach access in our region and its implications for racial and economic equity. Titled he Right to the Shoreline: Race, Exclusion, and Public Beaches in Metropolitan Chicago, this report highlights how restrictive beach access policies have perpetuated inequality and exclusion.

As we continue our advocacy for open and equitable access to public beaches, understanding these historical patterns is essential. This report not only sheds light on the challenges we face but also provides valuable recommendations for creating more inclusive public spaces.

Let’s work together to ensure that everyone in the community can enjoy our beautiful shorelines without barriers!

In our ongoing fight for open and equitable access to public beaches, a compelling report has come to light that provides essential context for our efforts. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ report, “The Right to the Shoreline: Race, Exclusion, and Public Beaches in Metropolitan Chicago,”...

09/06/2024

🔍 Uncover Wilmette's Hidden History: From Redlining to Fences 🏘️🚧

Join us at the Wilmette Historical Museum on November 10 at 2:00 PM for an eye-opening lecture by Dr. Mary Barr on "Wilmette's Friendly Town Program."

This isn't just about history - it's about understanding how our past shapes our present. From redlining that kept Black and Jewish families out of Wilmette to today's fences and fees at Gillson Beach, we'll explore how exclusionary practices have evolved but persist in our community.

Did you know?
• In the 1960s, Wilmette participated in the Friendly Town Program, hosting inner-city kids for summer visits
• Our Human Relations Commission, established in 1965 to combat discrimination, was only recently restored after being dissolved by President Bielinski
• Today's beach fence and fees continue a troubling pattern of limiting access to our community's resources

Let's connect the dots between historical racist redlining and modern-day barriers like fences and fees. Whether intentional or not, these practices perpetuate segregation, exclusion, and inequality.

This lecture offers a chance to:
• Learn about Wilmette's role in civil rights movements
• Understand how past segregation tactics inform present-day policies and perpetuate
• Reflect on how we can create a more inclusive community today

Tickets: Free for museum members, $5 for non-members
Register here: https://wilmettehistory.org/event/lecture-wilmettes-friendly-town-program/

Knowledge is power. Join us to learn, reflect, and work towards a more equitable Wilmette.

The museum will welcome Dr. Mary Barr, Assistant Professor of Sociology at Knox College, to speak on Wilmette's Friendly Town Program and contextualize local participation in greater civil rights movements that were active regionally and nationally during the 1960s. During the 1960s hundreds of Nort...

09/05/2024

🌊 Know Your Rights: TODAY at NOON! Public Trust Doctrine and Gillson Beach 🏖️

Join us for an important Zoom meeting hosted by Prairie Rivers Network TODAY at NOON to learn about your rights under the Public Trust Doctrine and how they can relate to the free and public use of Gillson Beach!

Did you know?
• The State of Illinois owns our lake, not the Wilmette Park District!
• Our state representatives report that IDNR has been avoiding responsibility regarding Wilmette Park District's restrictions on this state-owned natural resource.
• Wilmette Park District did not secure village, state, or federal permits for its 1,000 feet of new fencing.

This meeting will cover:
• Your legal rights to access public waterways
• The conflict between IDNR's stance and state/federal law
• How these issues relate to the current situation at Gillson Beach

Prairie Rivers Network will be joined by legal experts to discuss these crucial topics. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about your rights and how to protect our public spaces!

📅 Date: Thursday, September 5th
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM (Noon)
📍 Where: Zoom (link will be provided upon registration)
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/publictrustdoctrine
Let's stand together to protect our right to enjoy our public beaches and waterways!

09/04/2024

🌟 Unfence Gillson Protest Goes National! 🇺🇸🗞️

We're thrilled to share that our fight for free and open beach access has caught the attention of El Tiempo Latino, an award-winning Washington DC Latin weekly newspaper owned by the Washington Post!

The article highlights our community's struggle against the recent changes at Gillson Park Beach. It features voices from our community, including families affected by the new fees and our own Jeff Axelrod, who emphasized our commitment to keeping the beach accessible for all.

This national coverage underscores the importance of our cause and shows that the issue of public access to natural resources resonates far beyond Wilmette. We're proud to see our local efforts making waves across the country!

Let's keep the momentum going! Share this post to spread awareness and join us in our continued fight to !

https://eltiempolatino.com/2024/09/03/noticias-locales/chicago/los-residentes-de-wilmette-protestan-contra-las-nuevas-tasas-y-el-vallado-de-la-playa/

09/04/2024

We're excited to share that our protest on Labor Day has garnered widespread coverage across the Chicago area and even nationwide! 📻 WGN Radio aired two segments highlighting our fight against the newly installed fence and admission fees at Gilson Beach.

Our movement is resonating with many, and it's clear that our message is being heard! From TV to print and radio, the community's call for open access to our beloved beach is making waves.

Check out the WGN coverage and join us in celebrating this significant moment for our cause! If you’ve seen or heard additional coverage, please let us know in the comments. Together, we can keep the pressure on for a free and accessible Gillson Beach!

WGN Radio reports on the growing controversy at Gilson Beach in Wilmette, where residents are protesting a newly installed fence and admission fees. For over...

09/04/2024

🚨 Unfence Gillson in the News Again! 🚨

Last night, all three major TV stations covered our protest, and WGN Radio aired two spots highlighting our fight to keep Gillson Beach free and open to everyone!

Check out the ABC7 segment below to see our community in action. If you caught any other news coverage, please let us know in the comments! Every bit of attention helps amplify our message! 🌊

Watch NBC5's coverage of the ongoing battle at Wilmette's Gilson Beach, where local residents are protesting against a newly erected fence and beach access f...

09/03/2024

🌊 Unfence Gillson Makes More Waves in the News! 🌊

We're thrilled to share that our protest at Gillson Park has caught significant media attention! 📺 Last night, all three major TV stations covered our story, and WGN Radio aired two spots highlighting our cause.
Check out ABC7's 10:00 PM news segment featuring our rally against the new beach fence and access fees. Watch as longtime resident Jeanette Whisler and dozens of other protesters demand the removal of these unpopular regulations and fight for public access to Wilmette's beautiful lakefront.

If you heard about additional coverage, please let us know in the comments. Your support and engagement are key as we continue to push for the restoration of Gillson Park's beach!

Watch as protesters rally against the new beach regulations at Gillson Park in Wilmette, captured on ABC7's 10:00 PM news segment. The demonstrators marched ...

09/02/2024

Check out the fantastic coverage of our protest against the Gillson fence and fees that just aired on ABC 7's 5:00 PM news. Big thanks to everyone who came out to today’s demonstration — we made our voices heard loud and clear!

Watch the segment below to see how we're continuing to fight for our right to open and free lakefront access!

We rallied a big crowd for a Labor Day demonstration against the new fees and fencing at Gillson Park. Marching from Elmwood Dunes to Gillson's South Beach, we highlighted the public's right to free lakefront access. We received significant media coverage from ABC 7 News, boosting our cause's visibi...