No, they didn't close the (in)famous Lake Michigan beach on the East Side of Milwaukee. They "reinvented" it, in the words of people who revitalize dying parks.
See, two summers ago, Bradford Beach was languishing. Several factors contributed to her poor health: invasive lake species led to excessive algae and seaweed growth, which in turn made the water stink on hot days; county budget cuts meant no lifeguards and reduced grooming at the park, which compounded the invasive species problem; and criminals, some with guns, made it a frightening place for many.
This summer, after a summer of rebirth last year sparked by private donations, the beach is flourishing. Drive by any day of the week and you will find at least half the beach — the southern half, by the parking lots — packed full of sun-loving folks.
The dozen or so volleyball nets are in constant use. Sunbathers litter the sand with their towels and blankets. Vendors hawk their sunglasses, hot dogs and other goods along the road. The concession stand in the parking lot — closed the first eight years we lived on the East Side — is open again, serving long lines of customers.
And, of course, the water is dotted with swimmers, sailboats and windsurfers.
Heck, you don't have to drive by to check it out; there is now a Bradford Beach lakefront video camera feed at LakefrontCam.com.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office stepped up patrols along Lincoln Memorial Drive — which is great news to some, nerve-wracking to others — and strictly enforced park hours, closing the gates to the parking lots at 10 every night.
Deputies even manned nearby mobile command units (trailers that serve as mobile command posts) parked in the boulevard median at times when crowds surged, such as Memorial Day weekend.
Yeah, the beach has come into its own this year. And I'm in mourning.
Out with the old
The Bradford Beach I knew when I first moved to Milwaukee was a quiet beach. It didn't matter what time of the day or day of the week you visited, you could always find a place to (a) park and (b) spread out your blanket.
It seemed, to my daughters and me, that it was our own "well-kept secret."
Of course, we usually had to swim at our own risk. And put up with a few weeds breaking through the sand. And litter under foot, including broken beer bottles. And that smell.
But we had a Great Lakes beach all to ourselves, we die-hard Lake Michigan fans.
For the most part, I believe, we visitors to the "old" Bradford Beach were city of Milwaukee residents — and, I'd be willing to bet, many of us had no air conditioning at home to give us relief from summertime heat :)
Trust me on this point.
When it's 95 degrees with 70 percent humidity and you live in a second-floor flat without a/c, you'll find a few weeds, a bit of litter, and some nasty smells aren't going to stop you from seeking out the cool of the lakefront.
Even sewage dumps at the treatment plant couldn't keep us away — from the sand, at least.
Crowds, however ...
In with the new
I'm sorry to say I didn't spend any time at the beach this summer. You see, I got a puppy I take everywhere with me, and I couldn't risk walking my puppy at a crowded beach. (Dogs aren't allowed on the beach, by county ordinance, but there is a popular bike/walking trail alongside the beach.)
I really wanted to check out the Bartolotta Restaurant Group's Northpoint concession stand. The lines for its burgers and custard made me think it would be worth a try.
But the thought of my dessert-loving puppy — a German shepherd who weighed 65 pounds at six months — among throngs of custard-bearing beach-goers stopped me.
(I also get a bit paranoid when surrounded by cops. I realize their presence means increased safety, but it makes me feel like I'm under surveillance ... especially when I'm misbehaving ... like maybe letting my puppy wander onto a prohibited beach :))
Instead, my daughters and I waited patiently for autumn to bring cool temperatures, which we knew would drive away some of the crowds. Then we introduced our puppy to Bradford Beach, on a day when only a handful of die-hard Lake Michigan fans braved the chilly lake breeze.It was totally worth the wait — turned out, it was just like old times ... :)
Note: I started this post in summer but updated it in winter.
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