safety
Op-ed: Building a future where every child can swim
By Amy McMillan and Crystal Perkins at BridgeDetroit
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 5 to 14, but it doesn’t have to be. Preventing drowning and expanding access to water safety education requires all of us to continue investing in and creating opportun...
Key takeaway At the Metroparks, we’ve set an ambitious goal: providing 6,000 free swim lessons annually by 2028.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The effort to provide free swim lessons to Detroit children is a crucial step in addressing the city's staggering drowning statistics. With nearly 70% of children lacking swimming experience, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks' goal of providing 6,000 free swim lessons annually by 2028 is ambitious, but necessary. The fact that Michigan's abundant waterways are a part of everyday life in Detroit makes it even more imperative that children have access to water safety education. By partnering with schools, recreation centers, and community organizations, the Everyone in the Pool initiative is helping to bridge the gap in access to swim lessons, particularly in urban communities where barriers such as limited pool access and transportation challenges have historically prevented families from participating. As the program continues to expand, it will be important to track its progress and identify areas where additional support is needed to ensure that every child in Detroit has the opportunity to learn how to swim.
About this story
Original reporting by BridgeDetroit . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit BridgeDetroit . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: BridgeDetroit ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 5 to 14, but it doesn’t have to be. Preventing drowning and expanding access to water safety education requires all of us to continue investing in and creating opportun...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by BridgeDetroit and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Amy McMillan and Crystal Perkins at BridgeDetroit. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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