Helen Doria

A hidden gem in the middle of bustling Chicago, Helen Doria Beach offers restrooms and a lifeguard first aid station. There is limited street parking available near the beach, and it is also accessible by public transit - the 96, 147 and 155 buses all stop close by. The Chicago Park District manages and grooms beaches, including Helen Doria Beach, on a daily basis. Beaches are open 6am to 11pm daily, but swimming is only permitted when lifeguards are on duty from 11am to 7pm each day. While Helen Doria Beach is currently not monitored for water quality, the Chicago Park District Department of Cultural and Natural Resources does report water quality sample results from the very close by Hartigan Beach, which is within 200-250 yards along the same shoreline. On the Chicago Park District website, the status, swim advisories and swim bans for Helen Doria Beach are posted online based on Hartigan Beach sample results. You can find these and other details on their webpage, at https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/beaches.