Chicago Tribune Columnist Highlights Disparities in Access to Lake Michigan Swimming and Water Safety Education
Michael McColly, a Chicagoan and author, reflects on the restorative power of swimming in Lake Michigan but also acknowledges the significant divide in Chicago regarding access to water recreation. He notes that while swimming offers numerous physical and mental health benefits, it remains an exclusive activity for many U.S. residents, particularly in Chicago. Data from the American Red Cross and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that over half of U.S. adults have never had formal swimming lessons, with percentages much higher for Black and Hispanic adults. In Chicago, a study by Lurie Children’s Hospital found that 46% of children had no exposure to water safety or swimming lessons, highlighting a critical gap in access and education. 
