Sports and Recreation Department
Come Out And Play!
The Sports and Recreation Department is one of the largest departments within the Chicago Park District. Its focus is on the Chicago Park District's main core area of Health
and Physical Activities, which accounts for 75% of all Chicago Park District
programming opportunities.
Beaches and Pools:
Whether you are 9 months or 90 years young, there is a program for you offered in the
Chicago Park District. Responsible for 26 indoor pools, 51 outdoor pools, 15 pools in
schools, 36 Sports 37™ locations with 42 apprenticeships, 26 miles of lakefront
(including 16 major beaches plus one inland beach). This division offers classes and
programs in numerous age groups and skill levels, which begin in the fall and continue
through mid - May. These classes include, Tiny Tot Learn to Swim, Youth, Teen and
Adult Learn to Swim, Junior Lifeguard, Swim Team, Water Polo, and Aquatic Exercise.
Advanced training and competition are offered in our age group swimming and water
polo clubs for youth and teens. Athletes in our competitive programs participate in local,
regional and national competitions. Expansion is planned to include adults with a
Masters program. Summer Aquatic programs are offered in several disciplines including
swimming, water polo and junior lifeguard. Chicago Park District instructor staff is
certified by the American Red Cross in Water Safety, Lifeguard Training, AED and Sport
Safety Training. Instructor staff is also certified by the Exercise Safety Association in
Aquatic Exercise. This division also trains and recertifies field aquatic staff in all facets
of aquatics and trains non-aquatic park staff in CPR, First Aid and AED.
Fitness:
This division focuses on providing the opportunity for all ages and abilities to enjoy a
variety of physical activities, as well as increased awareness of the importance of healthy
eating to improve overall wellness. We offer several varieties of fitness programs and
special events to support the development of a physically active and healthy lifestyle.
This unit trains field staff citywide in a variety of class formats that improve
cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance and flexibility, with an emphasis on
safety. Class formats and trainings include Mightyfit, Kidz, Yoga, Pilates, Step Aerobics,
Cardio Kickboxing, Senior Fitness, Kids Fitness, Cardio Dance, Nutrition, Adaptive
Fitness and Walking Programs. Fitness is responsible for equipment purchase, repairs and
training for 60 Fitness Centers strength and cardio equipment. The fitness division has
put in place 6 Youth Activity Interactive Gaming sites as well as outdoor fitness
equipment. This division also houses the Mayor’s Fitness Council, a collaboration of
Chicagoland organizations with the mission to promote, encourage and motivate the
development of a physically active and healthy lifestyle for Chicagoans of all ages and
abilities. We also manage grant funding for Go Girl Go!, Wellness Demonstration
Centers, Blue Cross Blue Shield, ABBOTT Foundation, and Achieve to support wellness
programming initiatives in the parks.
Gymnastics:
The Chicago Park District Gymnastics program is more than an exercise program; it’s a
year round exciting and enjoyable fitness activity that enhances children’s athletic
abilities for all sports and physical skills through physical and mental discipline. The
program teaches fundamental techniques of gymnastics, tumbling, cheerleading and
dance. It is the vehicle for social acceptance in which young people excel through
participation in gymnastics, tumbling and dance activities that develop self-discipline,
self-esteem and a sense of self-accomplishment in its early childhood, youth and teen
participants. Early childhood participants develop and enhance their motor, listening and
social skills through movement education programming. Youth and teen participants
experience a positive gymnastics experience while developing skills on all the Olympic
gymnastics events; as well as a positive experience in tumbling and dance. The
gymnastics program provides a wholesome environment with teachers that act as positive
role models for all participants in the program. The gymnastics, tumbling and
cheerleading programs encourage and train athletes for the Chicago Park District
Competitive teams and the dance program train dancers for the Chicago Park District
Performance Dance team, Jump Co.
Special Recreation:
The Special Recreation Unit’s mission is to provide a diverse range of recreational
opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. The Special Recreation Unit
includes the following program and services; Adaptive Sports, Paralympic Sports,
Special Olympics, recreation and leisure programs for Deaf-Hard-of-Hearing and/or
Blind/visually impaired individuals, ranging from competitive sports to introductory
levels. Citywide we have two locations with year round programs for deaf-hard of
hearing individuals. We have sixteen locations that work with individuals with
intellectual disabilities. One location offers programs with a primary focus to work with
Youth at Risk. This Unit is responsible for training the Special Recreation Field staff
and Inclusion Aides. The Unit is responsible for participant assessments when requested
to assure an individual with a disability will be successful in any program the Chicago
Park District offers.
The Unit is continually partnering with schools and agencies that work with individuals
with disabilities, focusing on the expansion of services with physical and sensory
disabilities, with a goal to create a Chicago Park District Paralympic team.
The Special Olympics Chicago program is implemented within this Unit. The Special
Olympics Chicago program is the largest program in the United States, larger than 26
state programs. Information about the program and volunteer opportunities can be found
at www.sochicago.org.
The Unit offers leagues and competitions for Youth at Risk, working cooperatively with
the Alternative Schools within the City of Chicago. This program is successful and offers
the recreational necessity needed for this population.
Sports:
Supplements the sports and specialty camps offered in the field and provides technical
support for field staff in regards to their sports programming. The division is also
responsible for running citywide sports competitions and organizing culminating sporting
events. The citywide sports we offer are floor hockey, basketball, 2-ball, badminton,
soccer, softball, wrestling, table tennis, track & field, volleyball, silver skates, cross
country, and boxing. In addition to our citywide sports, we also offer specialized leagues
like our Inner City programs. These include Basketball (youth and teen), flag football
and baseball. Our ongoing partnerships with the Chicago White Sox and the Chicago
Cubs provide the much needed funding for these athletic programs. The Chicago Bears
also fund the Jr. Bears and Nerf football programs designed to help kids get ready for
football at the High School level.
Sports 37TM:
After School Matters (ASM) is a non-profit organization that partners with the City of
Chicago, the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Department
of Children and Youth Services and the Chicago Public Library to expand out of school
opportunities for Chicago teens. ASM aligns the resources of these partners along with
resources of private and non profit organizations to offer teens a comprehensive network
of specialized opportunities.
"Comprehensive sports initiative offering job-training programs and fitness
activities"
Sports37™ engages Chicago’s teens in fun, spirited activities that develop important life
skills and a healthy approach to living while exposing them to a broad range of career
opportunities in the fields of health, fitness, and sports. Currently, Sports37™ includes
the Sports Apprenticeship, Pre Lifeguard Apprenticeship, Shallow Water Attendant,
Instructor Aide, Lifeguard Apprenticeship, Stadium Management, Recreation Leader,
Junior Fitness Cadet, Cheerleading, Recreation Leader, Early Childhood Music and
Movement, Water Safety Instructor and Club37™.
Apprenticeships are hands on, interactive programs led by skilled professional who
provide teens with opportunity to explore different career paths and develop marketable
skills such as team work and problem solving. Apprenticeship programs operate at three
levels of complexity: pre apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and advanced apprenticeships.