The park contains the Wallace Bowl, a sunken amphitheater built during the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration.
It is situated immediately south of the Bahá'í House of Worship, the oldest surviving Bahá'í temple in the world.
The site encompasses a designated 'Dog Beach' area where off-leash canine activity is permitted in the water.
The park's geography includes a rare stretch of protected natural dune environment along the lakefront.
It serves as a primary regional site for youth and adult sailing lessons managed by the park district.
Gillson Park is a 60-acre lakefront park located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wilmette, Illinois. The park features a sandy beach, a swimming area with lifeguards during peak season, and a designated dog beach. Facilities include the Wallace Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater used for summer performances, and multiple tennis courts. The park serves as a hub for water sports, including sailing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding through the Wilmette Sailing Beach. It is integrated into the larger park district system and sits adjacent to the Bahá'í House of Worship. Visitors utilize the park for picnicking, fishing, and access to paved walking paths that follow the coastline. The area is maintained by the Wilmette Park District and requires specific passes or daily fees for beach access.
The elevated path near the southern breakwall providing a clear frame of the lake horizon with the Bahá'í Temple in the background.
Purchase your daily beach pass online before arrival to expedite entry during peak weekend hours.
Bring water shoes if planning to swim, as the lake entry points can be pebbly.
Check the Wilmette Park District website for the 'Lakefront' status dashboard to see daily water quality and lifeguard alerts.
Attempting to swim in non-designated areas or outside of lifeguard-supervised zones, as currents near the breakwalls can be hazardous.
Beach swimming is seasonal and generally restricted to summer months; park grounds remain open year-round.
Dogs must be leashed outside of the designated off-leash beach area; carry-in/carry-out trash policy is strictly enforced.
