It was an unusual Father's Day... hubby, son and grandpa took off for a Tiger's Game.  That left me, due any second with our 3rd child, to entertain our 3 year old girl.  What to do?

The weather was beautiful.  The beach beckoned.  But which one?  I thought of driving out to Lake Michigan but didn't really want to make the commitment.  Millenium Park?  That might work but I thought it would be really busy on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.  Then I recalled Versluis Park in Plainfield township.  I had driven by a few times, but never visited myself.  It was about 15 minutes from our house and cost $8 for a vehicle to enter.  So it was settled...let's go!

Upon our arrival I was struck by the multitude of rules posted at the gate.  Here's a synopsis:

• No food on the beach (they don't want to encourage geese and ducks to hang out on the beach)
• No flotation devices (rafts, swimmies, etc), except for coast-guard approved life jackets
• No swim masks, flippers, snorkels, etc.  Goggles are okay as long as they don't cover the nose.
• Parents must be in the water with children under 10 years old.
• If you leave, you must pay to re-enter.

Now that we've got the rules and regs covered, let's talk about the fun stuff.

Versluis Park has 2 great playsets, one on the beach and one near a picnic area.

As far as facilities are concerned, there is a drinking fountain/shower/footwash as well as a basic bathroom area.  There is also a vending machine with pepsi products, but no food is for sale in the park.  If you plan on eating in the park, pack a picnic or hit McDonalds (just across the street) before you come in.  You may not walk out of the park and then return...foot traffic is not allowed.

Overall, we had a fun time.  I brought along a bucket and shovels and camp chairs and we stayed for about 2 hours.  The beach was full but not crowded.  The beach is not all that big, so be prepared to be close to other people while you play in the sand.  The water was clear and clean, although I did overhear other people talking about how it was covered in cottonwood just a few weeks earlier, so be aware of that possibility earlier in the season.