Beach Committee

The mission of the Beach Committee is to maximize the safety and enjoyment of Tower Lakes residents at our swimming beach.

Beach Rules

Dates and Hours of Operation:

The Beach on Play Island is available to TLIA members and their guests. Current seasonal information, including opening and closing dates, lifeguard hours, swim lessons and beach tag information will be posted in the Newsletter each year.

Beach tags & Check In:

Beach tags are REQUIRED for entry to the Beach. All members MUST check in at the Welcome Table upon entering Play Island and have their beach tag(s) with them. Being a Tower Lakes resident does not replace the requirement to bring your beach tag.

If you are asked to present your beach tag and do not have it, you will not be permitted to enter the Beach. This policy is nonnegotiable and helps ensure that only TLIA members in good standing and their authorized guests are using our beach facilities.

Guests are always welcome when accompanied by a TLIA member in good standing. Members are responsible for making sure their guests are aware of and follow all beach rules.

Beach Policies:

Children must be 11 years old or older to be at the Beach–Play Island without a person age 16 or older. Children under 11 who are unsupervised at the Beach will be asked to leave Play Island. Parents who allow children age 11 or older to visit the Beach without adult supervision should review these guidelines and the expected rules and behavior with their children beforehand.

Swimming Requirements

Children who have not completed 8th grade must successfully complete a swimming test before being permitted to swim to the far rafts.

The test requires the child to:

• Swim six laps between the two nearest rafts.
• Complete the laps without touching the bottom or stopping.
• Complete the six laps in less than six minutes.
• Swim at least two of the laps using freestyle/crawl.

Lifeguards have the authority to restrict a swimmer from swimming to the far rafts if they determine that the child is not a strong enough swimmer to do so safely.

Rest Periods:

Children must get completely out of the water during Rest Periods, including the shallow area in front of the ropes.

Rest Periods provide an opportunity for children to take a break, parents to check on their children, and lifeguards to take a break.

No swimming is permitted from any shore area on Play Island during Rest Periods. Children who enter the water during a Rest Period may be asked to leave Play Island.

Lifeguards will not supervise swimmers during Rest Periods.

Swimming Area:

Children under 18 must remain inside the designated roped swimming area while swimming at the Beach.

Children who swims outside the designated roped area may be asked to leave the Beach for the remainder of the day, and their parents or guardians will be notified.

• DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PLAY OR ANY OTHER ISLAND AT ANY TIME!
• Smoking is not allowed on Play or any other island at any time!
• Fishing is not allowed on the Beach–Play Island or either bridge leading to it.
• Bikes are not allowed on the Beach or Play Island.
• Glass bottles are not permitted on the Beach or Play Island.
• No one may play under the rafts or jump off the back of the rafts where they cannot be seen.

Help Us Keep the Beach Safe:

The beach is a shared community facility and a busy place throughout the summer. It is in the best interest of our community to clean up after ourselves. Let the Lifeguards spend their time keeping our children safe instead of cleaning up after beach goers. The guards are in charge and in the event of severe weather have the authority to close the beach and ask people to leave.  Please review with your kids how to call for help if they need it and their limits when they are in the water. Floatation devices and life jackets are helpful, but small children can still get into trouble if they lose their footing and fall face forward, even in shallow water.

If you have any concerns about the beach or the guards, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Magro (815-545-7710), Andy Milne (773-951-9062), Paula Ermilio (847-656-6134) or Don Sidlowski (715-522-0065) or email them all at Beach@TLIA.org.

Have a fun and safe summer at the Beach this year!

Meeting Dates / Times:

As a small group of three volunteers, we arrange meetings throughout the spring to prepare for the beach's opening. We communicate throughout the summer to ensure continued enjoyment for TLIA residents. If you are interested in volunteering or have any concerns, please contact us.