Chicago Surf Access Protected

In 2009, as a result of the Surfrider Foundation Lake Michigan Chapter's "Surfing is Not a Crime" campaign, the Chicago Park District reversed its policy prohibiting surfing and created a new policy to allow surfing at specified beaches, with Montrose Beach being a beach open to surfing year-round so long as swimmers are not present.

In summer of 2023, local surfers reported being prohibited from surfing at Montrose Beach, so the Surfrider Foundation Chicago Chapter followed up with the Park District to inform them of the improper implementation of park policy. The Park District agreed to uphold the policy and inform relevant staff of the policy.