Public Health

North Beach is the crown jewel of Racine’s shoreline and one of the premier Great Lakes beaches. Before restoration efforts, North and Zoo Beaches were frequently closed or under advisory due to poor water quality—about two-thirds of the time in 2000. As a result, beach use was limited. However, post-restoration, with significant water quality improvements, North Beach now enjoys good water quality for 90% or more of the season. These improvements have led to a dramatic increase in beach use, with the beaches attracting between 100,000 and 200,000 visitors annually during lifeguarded hours. North Beach has been nationally recognized by Parents® Magazine, Midwest Living®, Family Vacation Critic®, and USA Today® for its water quality, natural beauty, and family-friendly amenities.

Beyond its tourist appeal, North Beach offers a no-cost recreational option for residents, providing a place to cool off on hot summer days and a vibrant community gathering space. Amenities include Kids’ Cove (a community-built playground), bathrooms, locker rooms, concessions, volleyball courts, picnic areas, a gazebo, and lifeguard facilities. Frequent events—such as volleyball tournaments, jet ski races, live music, and exercise classes—enhance Racine’s quality of life and further solidify North Beach as a vital “third place” for residents.

Both North and Zoo Beaches are situated within a primary environmental corridor and are recognized by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission as natural areas of local significance. These beaches provide vital habitat for wildlife and are critical to coastal conservation efforts. Dune ecosystems at North Beach are carefully maintained to support native vegetation and improve shoreline resilience.

Notable restoration efforts include:

• Improved Beach Grooming: Enhanced grooming practices reduce trash and bacterial contamination, ensuring cleaner and safer beach experience. North and Zoo Beaches are groomed daily during the summer.
• Waste and Trash Management: Improved waste and trash management practices including solar compactors reduce food sources for gulls and other wildlife, contributing to better water quality.
• Wetland Construction and Enhancement: Wetlands were constructed to capture and treat stormwater before reaching Lake Michigan, helping protect water quality.
• Dune Restoration: Dune restoration stabilizes sand movement, enhances coastal resilience, and naturally filters stormwater.
• Native Plantings and Invasive Species Management: Nearly 400 trees and shrubs and over 7,000 native plants have been planted, with 12 acres seeded with native mixes. Additionally, 4.2 acres of invasive species were removed.
• Sustainable Pathways and Fencing: Over 750 feet of pathways and fencing provide sustainable access through sensitive ecosystems, with educational signs along the route to inform visitors about the environment.

By integrating ecological restoration with community investments, North and Zoo Beaches continue to provide high-quality recreational opportunities while setting an example for sustainable coastal management. These efforts ensure Racine’s beaches remain clean, accessible, and resilient.

Samuel Myers Park has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a degraded shoreline with poor water quality and overrun by invasive vegetation (Phragmites australis) to a thriving natural area that balances ecological health with community access. Restoration efforts have established wetlands and rain gardens to manage stormwater, revitalized prairie areas, replaced invasive species with native vegetation, and enhanced public amenities.

These efforts have yielded measurable success: invasive species have been reduced by 95%, allowing the return of turtles, frogs, and toads to the parkParks Testing. More. Notably, Blanding’s turtles, listed as a species of special concern, have been observed, signaling significant ecological recovery. Additionally, the permanent swim ban that was in place prior to restoration has been lifted due to improved water quality.

While the restoration has led to significant improvements, the beach remains vulnerable to debris, trash, and algae washing ashore due to its embayed nature. Ongoing efforts are made to manage these challenges and maintain a clean and welcoming environment for visitors.

Samuel Myers ParkParks Testing. More has seen a notable increase in foot traffic post-restoration. The parkParks Testing. More has become a popular destination for activities such as picnics, relaxation, meditation, walking, birdwatching, and swimming. Recognized as critical species habitat by the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and located within a primary environmental corridor, the parkParks Testing. More is one of Racine County’s top bird-watching locations.  Educational signage highlights the ongoing restoration efforts and their positive impact on wildlife and water quality.

Key efforts by the City of Racine Public Health Department Laboratory include:

• Raingarden Installation: Three raingardens have been installed to capture and retain stormwater, improving bathing water quality.
• Wetland Restoration and Creation: Approximately two acres of wetlands have been restored and created to treat, store, and capture stormwater and provide wildlife habitat.
• Native Plantings and Invasive Species Management: over 1,200 trees and shrubs, 50,000 native plants, and 7.0 acres of native seed mixes have been planted. Additionally, 4.0 acres of invasive species have been removed.
• Sustainable Pathways and Fencing: Over 2,220 feet of pathways and fencing provide sustainable access through sensitive ecosystems, with educational signage along the route to highlight the park’s environmental importance.
• Dune Restoration: Dune restoration has stabilized sand movement, enhanced coastal resilience, and naturally filtered stormwater.
• ADA Accessible Picnic Area: A new ADA-accessible picnic area has been installed on the west end of the site, ensuring accessibility for all visitors.
• Amenities: The addition of a gazebo, bike racks, and benches enhances the park’s functionality and provides visitors with spaces to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

The following organizations, businesses, and individuals are sincerely thanked for their invaluable support through grants, community service, and in-kind contributions: A.W. Oakes & Son, Alliance for the Great Lakes, AmeriCorps NCCC, Distinctive Woodwork, Inc., Educator’s Credit Union, Kid’s First, YMCA, Friends and Family of Judge Jack Jude, Friends of Myers ParkParks Testing. More, Fund for Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Community Conservation Corp, John Dickert, Kiwanis of Racine, Lexi Kazian Foundation, Miller Engineers & Scientists, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, Racine-Kenosha Bike Club, Racine Yacht Club, Ray Hintz, Inc., Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network, Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, United States Environmental Protection Agency – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Forest Service, Walden III Middle & High School, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Wege Foundation, and the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. Their generosity, commitment, and ongoing partnership are essential to preserving and restoring the environmental health and beauty of Racine’s waterfront areas. Their support is greatly valued.

The City of Racine Public Health Department recognizes the work and dedication of Dr. Julie Kinzelman in protecting Racine’s water resources.  Dr. Julie Kinzelman, former laboratory director, left an indelible mark on Great Lakes stewardship through her innovative and hands-on approach to environmental health. Recognized as the 2023 Wisconsin Sea Grant Great Lakes Champion, she transformed Lake Michigan beaches from sites frequently closed due to pollution into nationally celebrated recreational spaces by investigating sources of contamination, developing the Great Lakes Beach Sanitary Survey tool, pioneering molecular methods for near real-time water quality monitoring and enacting solutions to improve water quality. As a former public health official and a founding member of the Great Lakes Beach Association, she secured vital funding for research and remediation projects and fostered collaborative solutions that extended from local communities to global environmental priorities. Her commitment to sustainable coastal access and her mentorship of future environmental leaders have paved the way for ongoing advancements in public health and ecological restoration, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire progress in environmental stewardship.