The Glencoe Park District Wants Your Feedback: Independence Day Fireworks Community Survey

Survey closes Thursday, September 12 
The Glencoe Park District Board of Commissioners is seeking community feedback about changing the Independence Day fireworks to July 3.
 
Background
In the past, Glencoe Beach was used as a viewing area for Independence Day Fireworks. The fireworks were shot from a barge in Lake Michigan, approximately 1,500 feet (0.28 miles) from the shore.
 
In 2014, the Glencoe Park District was informed that a barge was no longer an option on July 4 for fireworks. After considering alternatives, the Board of Commissioners voted to close the beach on July 4 to safely launch the fireworks from the sand. Since then, viewers have watched the fireworks show on July 4 at Lakefront Park. The fireworks are launched approximately 350 feet (0.05 miles) away, giving viewers a close fireworks experience.
 
The Glencoe Park District has continued to explore options to keep Glencoe Beach open over the Independence Day holiday. While a barge will never be an available option on July 4 due to the lack availability of an appropriately sized barge required by state law, the Park District was presented with a new option for 2020: shoot the fireworks from a barge on July 3. This would mean Glencoe Beach would be open on July 3 and July 4 and fireworks viewing would again be available on the sand at Glencoe Beach.
 
The barge comes with an added expense of approximately $15,000, with a minimum fireworks show of $20,000. This would increase the overall cost of the fireworks show by $15,000-$20,000 (based on past costs).
 
Community Input Needed
The Glencoe Park District Board of Commissioners wants your feedback about changing the Independence Day fireworks to July 3. Your feedback will be used to help the Park Board vote on the matter. If the Park Board elects to move the fireworks to July 3, the date would stay the same for the next five years. If a barge is unavailable on July 3, the fireworks would still be held that day, but viewing would return to Lakefront Park and Glencoe Beach would be closed.