PHOTO OP-ED: Beach lovers’ mecca

They’re coming from in town and out of town, multitudes of beach lovers who have discovered that Port Washington has some of Wisconsin’s finest Lake Michigan beaches. Wide expanses of sand, thanks to a lower lake level, uncommonly warm water and some hot mid-summer weather have brought crowds to Port’s two beaches named after the side of downtown where they’re located. On a recent Sunday, north beach (upper photo) was chock-a-block with sunbathers and swimmers from its entrance to Mile Rock nearly half a mile to the north. South beach is more popular and even on Monday (lower photo) had a sizable crowd. The beach itself has plenty of space, but getting there has been causing various stages of traffic gridlock. Parking spaces beside the looming  power plant have been overwhelmed and many beachgoers have been parking on Chestnut Street several blocks away. The better place for south beach parking is Coal Dock Park, which is a pleasant walk of less than a quarter mile away from the beach. Both beaches have access problems—north beach visitors often have to park on Lake Street and walk through Veterans Park and around the wastewater treatment plant—but that doesn’t keep the crowds away. The beaches are worth a little hassle getting there.

Ozaukee Press photos