After more big storms in the night. The rain stopped. Still cloudy, I went for a walk.
There was nothing happening at Rainbow Beach.
Life guards, seagulls and me. There’s rarely anything happening at Rainbow. I love that nothing is happening!! Except now there is. A huge portion of sand in front of the concession area is cordoned off. A big green fence that so offends me that I couldn’t bring myself to photograph it.
What is going on is, the proprietor of the concession has decided that we should have a party going on. Yes, a big deck is being built out on the sand so that food and drink can be served in a cordoned off area.
The man himself is a lovely fellow. I met him last season. The concession was new for him and he was out there on the special kite flying day holding court and touting his menu. Well it was all pretty expensive for a beach concession. I mean, $15. salads and $12. beers expensive. Then it was closed for the entire rest of the summer. That day when I met him he told me of his plans to build a deck out over the water. I just listened and in my mind did a huge eye roll. Coulda fooled me. Except he didn’t.
Now he has gotten permission to build this deck for whom I have no idea? Don’t get me wrong, a nice little beach side restaurant sounds “okay”, but seriously no one comes to Rainbow Beach.
So, I’m of two minds about this project. On the one hand it infuriates me. Why can’t we have one beach in Chicago that is quiet? Where nothing is happening? It’s good for our souls to wander and ponder. Nothing but the sound of the water. The birds. Kids laughing as they splash each other. Nothing going on is not a bad thing.
And what ever happened to a beach concession stand that sold hotdogs and frozen Baby Ruth candy bars. Oh! And frozen Butterfingers!!
On the other hand, who knows, it might be okay? There’s a lot of beach. The proposed deck is relatively small. The fencing is big but I think the actual deck will be smaller? Maybe once it’s built it won’t be so bad?
Then I wonder, how did he get permission? Was there a committee? Who pays for the construction? Does he pay rent for building on the beach? When I asked the park manager about it he said, “The guy’s a business man. He’s going to make a lot of money”!! Really? For whom? The sidewalks throughout the whole park could use repaving. Just saying.
So, you might understand if I’m a bit taken aback.
For close to forty years I have been walking out there. Nothing is ever happening. I do wish some tennis players would come and use the courts which sit empty ALL the time. There’s no one playing on the baseball fields. And the basketball courts are mostly deserted. But I don’t wish for a restaurant / bar on the beach.
So, we shall see.
☮️🙏🏻🦋
Spinster Life 