About Tobey Prinz Beach
Named after the leader of Chicago's "Save the Beaches" campaign, Tobey Prinz Beach can be found just in front of Loyola Park on the Shore of Lake Michigan. The beach is located on the end of Pratt Boulevard, and was in fact known as Pratt Beach until its name was changed to commemorate the contributions Tobey Prinz made to preserving beaches and parkland in the area. It is accessible by car, with a limited number of parking spaces available close to the water, or by public transit on the 96, 147, or 155 bus routes.
The Chicago Park District manages and grooms beaches, including Tobey Prinz 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 Tobey Prinz 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 a nearby beach, Hartigan Beach, which is within 300-350 yards along the same shoreline. On the Chicago Park District website, the status, swim advisories and swim bans for Tobey Prinz 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.