Evanston Dog Beach Accessibility Plan Delayed Again
The city council is considering further delays for the long-awaited accessibility ramp project at the local dog beach.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Dogs
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Evanston city officials are weighing a proposal to delay the accessibility ramp project for the Evanston Dog Beach once more. The site has remained noncompliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act since October 2022.
Why it matters
The city faces potential legal action after a resident filed an ADA grievance in August regarding the lack of beach access. City staff are now seeking additional time to explore less expensive design alternatives to avoid further liability.
The proposed design-build contract with John Keno & Company is valued at $863,850. The beach has lacked ADA-compliant access for four years, during which time the project has faced four separate delays.
The players
Clare Kelly
Clare Kelly is an Evanston City Councilmember who has met with staff to discuss potential cost-saving measures for the project.
John Keno & Company
John Keno & Company is a construction firm previously contracted by the city to manage the design-build project.
Murphy Monroe
Murphy Monroe serves as the chair of the ADA Advisory Committee and requested a vote on the beach closure.
GEI Consultants
GEI Consultants is an engineering firm hired by the city in January 2025 to provide a design review for the ramp project.
Illinois Department of Human Rights
The Illinois Department of Human Rights is the state agency where a resident threatened to file a complaint regarding the beach.
The details
The ADA Advisory Committee recently recommended closing the beach entirely until a fully accessible ramp is completed to mitigate legal risk. Meanwhile, city staff have held discussions with Councilmember Clare Kelly to evaluate options for cutting project costs.
Timeline
October 2022: The Dog Beach was reopened while in a noncompliant status.
July 2024: A previous contract for the ramp work with John Keno & Company expired.
January 2025: The city hired GEI Consultants to perform a design review.
December 2025: The city council reversed a previously approved project design change order.
August 14: A local resident submitted an ADA grievance regarding the beach facilities.
Culture Shift
This situation illustrates the ongoing friction between municipal budget constraints and the legal requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The city's repeated delays highlight the difficulty of reconciling infrastructure costs with federal mandates for universal accessibility.
Residents should be aware that the Evanston Dog Beach could face a total closure if the council adopts the advisory committee's recommendation. Potential visitors should monitor city announcements to see if site access changes following the upcoming October vote.
The takeaway
Maintaining compliance with federal accessibility standards remains a significant hurdle for city park infrastructure. Local residents should remain engaged with the city council process as officials struggle to balance construction costs with legal obligations.
What happens next
The Commission on Aging and Disabilities is scheduled to vote on the committee's recommendation to close the beach during its meeting in October.
Further reading
For more information on local pet amenities, see our guide to Dogs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston RoundTable.
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