Illinois Beach State Park

The Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization project in Zion, Illinois was selected as a Best Restored Beach from The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) in 2024. The project combined beach nourishment for a recreational beach and a coastal habitat restoration component protecting state park infrastructure and critical habitats. Due to a recent shoreline retreat in Illinois as high as 100 feet in one year, there was an urgent need to preserve the remaining coastal area. To create a shoreline stabilization strategy compatible with preserving the natural setting, Edgewater designed a full protection system including the placement of over 300,000 tons of stone to form a series of offshore detached breakwaters. The offshore structures are configured to embody both aquatic and avian habitat enhancing features for added eco-value.