This summer, six-foot sharks can be spotted at several of Highland Park’s public beaches.  You may think this is a frightening unnatural phenomenon, but, take heart, the sharks are signs posted at our non-swimming beaches including Park Avenue Beach, the Nature Cove at Rosewood Beach, and Millard Beach.
 
Why sharks? While we all know there are no sharks in Lake Michigan, the signs serve as an eye-catching reminder that swimming off a Lake Michigan beach without a lifeguard on duty can be as dangerous as swimming in shark-infested waters.  The shark signs are part of the Park District’s new Beach Safety campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of swimming in the lake and provide tips to stay safe while at our lake’s beaches. 

Did You Know?

• Lake Michigan ranks as one of the deadliest of the Great Lakes due to its strong shoreline currents and waves.
• More than ½ of the Great Lakes’ drownings happen on Lake Michigan.
• Of all Lake Michigan drownings, ½ occur at the southern tip of the lake (Milwaukee to Chicago to Northwest Indiana to South-west Michigan).

Be Smart! Only Swim at a Beach with a Lifeguard on Duty!

One of the best ways to stay safe at the beach is only to swim when a lifeguard is on duty.   Lifeguards are the gold standard for beach safety.   They are right there, trained, and ready to respond when minutes count.  The shark signs direct beach-goers wanting to swim to the Park District’s Rosewood swimming beach which has lifeguards on duty from 10am – 6pm daily throughout the summer.  

For more beach safety tips, click here.