Research

Field Study Area

The North Shore of Chicago provided an excellent study area to conduct a field evaluation of the character and quality of beach accessibility for PLMs. This study spanned approximately ten miles in length and included eight different beaches. These beaches were: Juneway, Rodger, Howard, Loyola, Lane (George), Osterman, Fullerton/North Avenue, and Oak Street. Fullerton and North Avenue beaches were combined together due to a lack of clear visual distinction of their shared boundary.

To conduct this study I used a systematic approach that focused on taking specific observations at each beach as I moved south down the shoreline, starting at Juneway Beach on September 14, 2024 at 1:49 pm and ending at 4:41 pm at Oak Street Beach. I spent about 10-15 minutes at each beach, taking notes and photographs of features of interest. In addition to the field work I also researched Chicago’s beaches to further understand efforts to maintain and bring accessibility for the widest array of potential users.

Area of Study

A map showing the location of the beaches on the Chicago shoreline

Observed Barriers to Beach Access

An image of a pathway with a missing section

Worn or Poorly Maintained Infrastructure

Often seen through wear on pathways and uneven attempts to patch holes and old cracks, this makes pathways difficult to navigate.

An image of a cement pathway going out into the water and partially covered in sand

Issues with Sand Distribution

This is often seen through sand drifting onto the pathway and creates uneven surfaces that are harder to walk over or move mobility devices through.

An image of a pathway partially covered in sand and with a branch on it

An image of a long sandy shoreline with people on it

Inaccessible Layout

When there are differences in heights between sand and pavement or when there are stairways onto beaches it is hard or impossible for PLM to access these areas.

An image of a sandy beach with a pathway blocked by cement barriers

An image of a shoreline covered in large rocks

Shoreline Hardening

This can look like concrete pathways and walls or, in the case of Juneway, Rodgers, and Howard beaches rocky shorelines replacing sandy beaches that eroded.

Page updated

Report abuse