Why The Interpretive Center Does Not Belong On Rosewood Beach

Whether you call it a "multi-purpose beach house" or an "Interpretive Center" as it has always been called, and whether it is 1000 or 2000 sq. ft., it does not belong on Rosewood Beach.

It will impede the view looking north on the beach and no meaningful purpose has been stated for its presence. There will be other restrooms on the beach that can be kept open in cold weather, if that is the reason for the I-Center. Is the Park District going to heat that structure after the summer when it turns cold?

Moreover, the Center is planned close to the water’s edge. What happens to it when the lake rises as it always does? Will it be flooded like the previous structure on the south end of the beach which had to be demolished?

The last Park District plan for Rosewood that I was aware of provided for a concession stand of about 500 sq ft, bathrooms of about 550 sq ft, a lifeguard station of about 380 sq ft, and an I-Center of about 1997 sq ft, a total of about 3427 sq ft. That means that the I-Center would consume about 58% of the structures planned for the beach!! Even if the I-Center is only 1000 sq ft, it would still consume 41% of the structures planned for the beach!

The only purpose I can see in the I-Center is the park board’s desire to use the grant money it will receive; but the board can get that money just as well by building it at one of several other suggested sites for it. And what about parking? Rosewood Beach does not have a large parking lot and on a hot summer day cars or buses headed for the proposed I-Center may well keep out others who want to park and use the beach for its only real recreational purpose: to swim, sun, picnic, play volleyball, sit on a bench or just walk along the beach.

The other three proposed small structures along the new beach walk, seem to be perfect for the site and will be welcome additions.