The town of Ogden Dunes, Indiana (pop. 1,112 in 2012) sits between West Beach to the west and the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk to the east. The beach here is part of the town and is open to the public. The sand here is wonderful on the feet with the occasional piece of beach glass to find.
The South Shore Line is a rail service for passengers going from South Bend, Indiana, to Chicago, Illinois, and many points between. The Portage/Ogden Dunes station was rebuilt at this location in 1998 and now includes a few small passenger shelters. It's very accessible. A ticket can be purchased on the train, which runs at all hours of the day and night.
This map is posted at the Portage/Ogden Dunes stop along the South Shore Line. Beach-lovers who wish to visit Chicago's famous Oak Street Beach can take the train to Millennium Station, walk to Michigan and South Water, take a 20-minute bus ride north on Michigan Avenue, and get off at Delaware/Walton. Oak Street Beach is just a short walk past East Lake Shore Drive over the bridge.