This opinion article was submitted by Faith Fairclough of Wilmette. Opinion articles represent the writers’ points of view and not necessarily those of Daily North Shore.
Faith Fairclough of Wilmette writes a Letter to the Editor: My husband Biff and I have 7 children. We have been going to Langdon and Gillson Beaches since they were babies. While I agree that we need a new beach house at Gillson as long as the WPD scales back the size and cost of it, I am passionately opposed to building any type of concrete structure at Langdon beach.
I understand how families with young children would like a bathroom at Langdon Park. As a matter of fact, 11 years ago I too wished there was a bathroom, and back then there wasn’t even a portable restroom 50 yards up the bluff as there is now.
After studying both sides of the Langdon Park referendum, I showed my daughters the lakefront master plan photo of the beach house, and asked them what they thought of having toilets on the beach. They stared in disbelief at the photo, and asked, “Mom, why would you vote for this?”
So, my suggestion to all of the Wilmette young families who are considering supporting the Langdon Park Referendum, ask yourself, “What will my children say to me in 12-15 years, when they learn that I voted ‘yes’ to build a beach house on the dune, in the sea grass, and on one of the last north shore natural beaches.”
Babies and young children grow up quickly and become teenagers and young adults who will love an open beach with no structures. The park district’s Langdon Beach proposal is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
