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Ah, Chicago…the diversity, the culture, the breath of crisp, Lake Michigan-infused air. The proverbial Mason-Dixon line of baseball – the North Side pledges their loyalty to the Cubbies and the South Side to the Sox.
However, this rich
diversity, culture, character and passion apparently haven’t permeated all of the
suburbs. Lake Forest,
an affluent suburb of Chicago,
is seemingly unaffected by societal norms.
Recently, the city’s
parks and recreation board supported several residents that requested kid-free
zoning. Now, Chicago-area adults who
seek peace and quiet at the beach can flock to a kid-free zone totaling nearly
one-quarter of the mile-long beach.
How boring will beach
life be without kids? Part of the
experience of going to the beach is watching children explore, interact, play
and enjoy. If you are trying to read a
book while staring at a seemingly endless body of water and still can’t relax,
you have issues.
What’s next? Kid-free zones at Water Tower Place? Set times for kids to visit the Sears Tower
and Navy Pier ? This mentality is unfair and absurd.
What is unfortunate is
the children’s hands are tied. They
cannot retaliate. An advocate for
children’s rights can’t ban adults at the zoo.
The children need chaperones.
Visitors might even have
to show ID to prove they are 21 if they look younger. I can hear it now. “Mom, dad, the only reason I got a fake ID
was so I could go to the beach.”
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