Milwaukee County Parks reopened McKinley Beach on Lake Michigan Wednesday after the area, located just north of the marina boat ramp, was closed to the public in 2020 due to hazardous riptide conditions.
The beach was created in 1989 as a park and a means for protecting Lincoln Memorial Drive, which was often drenched due to rising lake levels.
The beach was built as a cove flanked by two stone jetties made of fill from the deep tunnel project. In the ensuing years, water depth at the jetties has risen by about four feet, according to Milwaukee County Parks, which in combination with currents, “created dangerous conditions that couldn't be observed by swimmers.”
The beach was closed in August 2020 in light of what a County Parks informational report called, “riptide hazards, several near drownings and multiple fatal drowning incidents.”
In 2021 a report on the beach conditions was created and the following year the County advanced a $1.09 million plan to alter the design of the beach and monitor water depth. The plan included adding 11,600 cubic yards of sand to the beach and grading and grooming it, along with lowering the water depth to mitigate riptide currents.
“Milwaukee County Parks will continue to keep an eye on water depths and conditions and will also continue to conduct bathymetric surveys into the future,” noted a Parks statement issued Wednesday. “These studies, one of which was conducted during the closure, measure the depth of a body of water as well as map the underwater features below the surface. Parks will also continually regrade and evaluate the site over time.”
A projected re-opening of the beach last summer was delayed by what the county described as permitting issues with the Wisconsin DNR, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA.
Final grooming work was completed this spring.
"Although there have been several terrible tragedies at McKinley beach, we recognize that ensuring water safety is a collective effort and remain committed to promoting a culture of safety and responsibility,” said County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman. “McKinley Beach is a jewel for our communities and I am overjoyed that it has been rebuilt for the public's enjoyment this coming summer and years to come."
"Today marks a significant milestone for our community as we joyfully reopen McKinley Beach to the public after extensive efforts to address safety concerns,” added Milwaukee County Parks Director Guy Smith.
“The closure in 2020 was a somber reminder of the importance of vigilance when it comes to our cherished waterfront spaces. Through meticulous study and strategic actions, we have diligently worked towards creating a safer environment for all beachgoers. We are committed to ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure McKinley Beach remains a beloved destination for recreation and relaxation for years to come."
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
