Chicago Park District Board Re-Elects Dr. Marlon Everett as President and Modesto Valle as Vice President to the Board, Authorizes District-Wide Urban Forest Management Plan[...]

Board approves contract for summer food program in preparation for day camp and other programs and initiates 45-day public comment period to rename Park 596 and un-name West Chatham Park; hears presentation on the Park District's May in Motion effort to encourage Chicagoans

Today, during the regular, monthly meeting, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to re-elect Dr. Marlon Everett as the Board President and Modesto Valle as Vice President to the Board. President Everett was appointed to the Board by Mayor Johnson in September of last year and elected as Board Chair last November. Modesto Vice was appointed to the Park Board in September 2021 and previously re-elected as VP in May 2023.

The Board authorized the District to enter into an agreement with Davey Resources Group for the completion of the district-wide tree inventory and the development of the urban forest management plan. Through this agreement, the contractor will perform a comprehensive assessment of trees on park property and provide vital data to inform the Park District, including the current tree count, species and condition. This information will be used to develop the District's management plan, which will be completed with community input, and will guide the Park District's future work to maintain and grow our urban forest.

As the steward of more than 200,000 trees, the Park District invests approximately $8 million annually to manage its tree canopy but has limited data on its inventory. Trees provide important benefits for Chicago residents, including aesthetics fits as well as ecosystem services such as absorbing stormwater, mitigating air pollution, and reducing the urban heat island impact. The tree inventory and urban forest plan will be funded through a grant the Morton Arboretum received from the US Forest Service through the Infrastructure Reinvestment Act. The three-year, $1.3 million contract meets the Park District's compliance goals with 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation.

"Chicago parks are very fortunate to have such an impressive tree canopy and with this treasure comes a great responsibility," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. "Completing the District's work to inventory its trees and develop a master plan to maintain and grow our tree canopy not only makes us responsible stewards for today but also lays the groundwork to pass this gift on to the future generations of our city"

The Board also approved the agreement with Open Kitchens, Incorporated for the Park District's Summer Food Service and Child and Adult Care programs to provide nutritious meals and snacks at more than 200 park locations throughout the year. This program ensures that park program participants, particularly those facing food insecurity, have access to healthy food regardless of their circumstances. Last year, the Park District served 846,000 meals through the Food Service program. The estimated cost of the contract is $2.2 million but may vary depending on the number of meals served. This contract meets the Park District's compliance goals with 25% MBE and 75% WBE participation.

"Parks have a long, rich history of responding to the immediate needs of the communities we serve," said General Superintendent Ramirez-Rosa. "In a time where food insecurity is so prevalent, the Park District food service program is as important as ever, especially as we approach summer break for students who rely on schools for free meals. We look forward to providing this vital service and easing the concerns of any family with a child registered in our programs."

Following last month's City Council approval of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to fund the pool enclosure for Piotrowski Park, 4227 W. 31st Street, the Park District Board authorized the contract to design the highly anticipated project. Williams Associates Architects, Ltd. were awarded the contract to design the new, permanent enclosure around the Piotrowski Park swimming pool. This investment will allow the popular community resource to remain operational beyond the outdoor pool season which typically runs from late June to mid-August and expand vital aquatics programming, including Learn to Swim, Open Swim, Special Olympics and Competitive Swim Team. Piotrowski's aquatics programs attract more than 1800 participants annually.

In addition to the enclosure, the lower-level locker rooms and restrooms will be rebuilt to modern standards, including improved access from the locker rooms to the pool, and the outdoor pool deck will be expanded. The nearly $712K design contract meets the Park District's compliance goals with 25.28% MBE participation and 10.58% WBE participation.

The Board approved entering into a 45-day public comment period for a proposal to name the Park District's headquarters, currently named Park 596, located at 4830 S. Western, Commissioners' Park to honor all previous, current and future Chicago Park District Board members. The Chicago Park District is governed by a board of seven non-salaried Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Chicago with the approval of the Chicago City Council. Under the Chicago Park District Code, the Commissioners have a fiduciary duty to act, vote on all matters, and govern the Park District in the best interest of the Park District.

The Board also approved entering into a 45-day public comment period for a proposal to unname West Chatham Park to solicit public feedback for a new park name. Located in the Chatham community, West Chatham Park totals 14.30 acres and features a multi-purpose clubroom. Outside, the park offers an interactive spray pool, baseball/softball diamonds, playground, and basketball/tennis courts. The request to unname West Chatham Park was brought forth by 6th Ward Alderman William Hall, who is seeking feedback from community members on potential new names for the park.

Residents can submit their comments on proposals the rename Park 596 and unname West Chatham Park on the Chicago Park District's website at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/park-namings.

The Board approved proposed changes to Chapter II of the Park District Code to reflect the current operations of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which includes the Department of Audit. This follows the Board's approval in March to initiate the required 45-day public comment period. No public comments were submitted on the proposed changes.

During the meeting, the Park District delivered a presentation on the Chicago harbor system which includes ten locations spanning from Montrose Harbor, 601 W. Montrose Drive to Jackson Park, 6400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Chicago's harbor amenities include 5700 slips and mooring, 10 yacht clubs, gas docks, winter storage, concessions and shops and public launch ramps. In addition, to contributing to the breadth of recreation opportunities along the lakefront, the harbors are a important revenue source, generating more than $30 million for the Park District in 2024.

The District also gave a presentation on May in Motion, the month-long initiative urging Chicagoans to participate in at least 150 minutes of every week during the month of May and beyond. To encourage residents to start or continue their health and wellness journey, the Park District is offering a free pop-up class each Wednesday of the month at 14 unique park spaces. Residents can also take advantage of Go Runs, free, timed 1 mile and 5K Runs held in parks across the city and an array of other opportunities for youth, teens and adults. For more information about May in Motion, visit the Chicago Park District website.

Other Board agenda items include a change order to install a traffic light at the Park District headquarters in Brighton Park, authorization to enter into an agreement with Comcast for telecommunications services for greater connectivity across neighborhood parks and approval of a workman's compensation settlement.