PRESS RELEASE
Friday Morning Swim Club Cancels All Future Swims
Chicago Park District Requirements Challenge Organization Values and Budget
CHICAGO — Friday Morning Swim Club will cease all future swims, disheartened by Chicago Park District $108,000 permit price and subsequent event requirements totaling upwards of $250,000. Historically a free, accessible event for all Chicagoans to swim and enjoy coffee, founders see additional business costs as unsustainable barriers to pursuing the event with values of genuine community and connection intact.
According to Chicago Park District attendance metrics, Friday Morning Swim Club falls within the same event category as Lollapalooza and the Chicago Triathlon, requiring founders to take on costs supporting transportation plans, maintenance plans, portable toilets, and U.S. Coast Guard permit fees, in addition to their own business expenses.
The Park District’s suggestion to relocate the event to any Chicago beach—a “designated swim area”— during the hours of 11a.m.-7p.m. impacts attendee experience and event identity. Along with the strict prohibition of floats, this leaves the event nearly unrecognizable.
Founders Andrew Glatt and Nicole Novotny see the Park District’s lack of collaborative interest as frustrating but unsurprising. Community members in Hyde Park and Rodgers Park have experienced similar communication from the Chicago Park District, their efforts and pleas ignored.
“Just because the organized event is done doesn’t mean you should stop swimming,” said Novotny. “We can’t legally host organized swims or encourage anyone to swim at a certain time of the week, but the lake is our favorite part of Chicago, and we plan to enjoy it safely several days a week—and we think you should too.”
Both Glatt and Novotny share excitement about new endeavors that echo the Swim Club sentiment and invite the support of event regulars: Novotny and Printer’s Row Coffee Co. open a second location this month, while Glatt lays the groundwork for a future community-based brick-and-mortar.
About Friday Morning Swim Club
Founded by Andrew Glatt and Nicole Novotny, Friday Morning Swim Club was formed on the premise of genuine community and connection. In 2021, the duo invited friends to Montrose Harbor to swim and drink coffee — and those friends told friends. What began as a response to coronavirus safety guidelines and encouraged outdoor gatherings, grew into an initiative to get people off their phones and into the water. A professional photographer, Glatt documented each swim and Novotny provided over 20 gallons of cold brew each week from her business, Printer’s Row Coffee Co.
Contact
Theresa Carney
tcarney@rfclaw.com
Consultant — Friday Morning Swim Club
