Chicago Park District Celebrates Year Two of 'May in Motion,' Citywide Initiative to Motivate Chicagoans to be Active

Pop-up fitness classes return along with free fitness center acces for city residents

CHICAGO- The Chicago Park District announced year two of its "May in Motion" initiative that encourages Chicagoans to explore wellness and health activities in the parks throughout the month of May.

During today's Earth Day opening ceremony at Humboldt Park, Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa announced the launch of the month-long awareness campaign to ensure that Chicagoans from all 77 community areas have access to a multitude of wellness and health programs as the warmer months approach.

"May in Motion' is the Park District's call to action to get all Chicagoans moving and to increase access to amenities and spaces that promote physical activity and a healthy lifestyle," said Ramirez-Rosa. "As outlined in our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, we're committed to promoting a thriving community that includes offering opportunities for residents to improve their overall health."

To celebrate "May in Motion," the Park District is encouraging the healthy living and wellness of patrons and employees. This year's May in Motion initiative will feature:

Free Pop-Up Fitness Classes: Each Wednesday during the month of May, patrons can join us at one of our 37 free pop-up classes (45-minutes long) offered at 14 unique park spaces. Classes are taught by our partner, High Society. To view the full class list and to register, visit chicagoparkdistrict.com/may-in-motion.

Free Fitness Center Access: We are offering FREE access to our more than 70 fitness centers from May 1 to May 11. Patrons can register in advance online or in-person at the park.

Park Kids Activities: Parks that offer our Park Kids after-school program will guide participants through different types of movement to increase physical activity as part of their curriculum and will facilitate wellness activities each Wednesday in May.

City Department and Sister Agency Challenge: We are also challenging our employees and those of our peer departments and agencies to commit to participating in physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week and to sign up for their discounted memberships at Park District fitness centers. Employees of the identified agencies/departments receive a 30% discount on their membership. New this year, we are expanding free access to our fitness centers to the entire month of May for all city and sister agency employees in an effort to promote wellbeing in the workplace. Visit your local park with a fitness center to learn more. Find a fitness center at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/fitness-centers.

Go Run: 'Go Run Chicago is a series of free organized Saturday morning community runs (1-mile or 5K) in Chicago's parks open to everyone interested in racing, running, jogging, walking, or volunteering. Long-time runners, newcomers, families, and children of all ages are invited to take part. A volunteer-led, neighborhood-centered initiative, the weekly runs strengthen the community and encourage healthy and active lifestyles through running and volunteerism. The program is hosted and managed by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA). A full schedule and pre-registration are available at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/go-run-chicago.

Tennis Classes: May is also National Tennis Month! A nationwide, grassroots effort driven by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and its industry partners to celebrate tennis. As a partner of the Chicago Park District, the USTA Chicago District has planned tennis activities throughout the month of May for park patrons to enjoy at local parks. Events include heart-pumping fun adult Cardio Tennis classes; kids play days and Red Ball Tennis. Red Ball Tennis is an exciting new way to play tennis. On shorter courts with modified equipment, this social version of the game makes it easy for adults and kids to learn tennis in just 10 minutes. Some events are free and others are $10. These recreational opportunities aim to inspire healthier lifestyles and strengthen communities across the Chicago area. Pre-register for a class at https://bit.ly/ChiParks-NationalTennisMonth.

Parks and recreation are vital to community health, and the Park District plays an integral role in promoting health and wellness by providing Chicagoans with equitable access to resources that will allow them to live healthy lifestyles, regardless of identity, income, or neighborhood. The Park District's efforts are guided by three health and wellness pillars that launched in 2024:

• Promoting Community Wellbeing - connecting community members, including Park District employees, to essential programs and resources that advance wellbeing, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
• Supporting Active Living Through Parks - providing access to spaces to allow Chicagoans to lead active lifestyles.
• Ensuring a Healthy Food Environment - supporting access to healthy food options for those who are food insecure; increasing nutrition education to improve diet quality and reduce chronic disease risk.

In addition, the Park District is partnering with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Mayor's Office to issue a proclamation stating that next month is May in Motion and urging all Chicagoans to participate in at least 150 minutes of movement per week this month and onward to live healthy lives. This recommendation follows guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).