The park is named after Charles G. Dawes, who served as the 30th Vice President of the United States and was a long-time Evanston resident.
The adjacent Dawes Park Boat Launch is one of the few designated public entry points for kayaks and canoes in this section of Evanston.
The park provides direct access to the Evanston lakefront trail system, which runs along the majority of the city's eastern boundary.
It is situated within walking distance of the historic Charles G. Dawes House, which now serves as the Evanston History Center.
Dawes Park is a 13-acre public waterfront park located on the shore of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois. It serves as a focal point for the city's lakefront access, featuring a mix of managed landscape and open green space. The park is home to the Dawes Park Boat Launch, which provides non-motorized vessel access to the lake. The site is connected to a larger network of Evanston parks and recreational paths that stretch along the northern shoreline. It serves as a staging area for local rowing and sailing activities. The park contains a variety of mature trees providing natural canopy throughout the area. Pedestrian paths are integrated into the park design to facilitate exercise and leisure walks along the water. The site maintains a functional public restroom facility for visitors. It serves as a popular location for local residents to observe lake conditions and seasonal migrations.
The easternmost edge of the park where the rocky breakwater meets the open horizon of Lake Michigan.
Bring a windbreaker or layers, as the lakefront temperatures are consistently cooler and windier than inland areas.
Check the Evanston lakefront status via the city website before heading out if you intend to launch a watercraft.
Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the transition between the paved paths and the pebbled sections of the shoreline.
Do not attempt to swim in areas not designated for bathing, as undertows and water conditions can be hazardous.
The boat launch facilities are seasonal and typically unavailable during winter months due to ice and maintenance.
Leash laws are strictly enforced for dogs; pack out all trash to maintain the lakefront environment.
