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Board hears presentation on the Park District’s efforts to engage teens this summer and throughout the year
Today, at the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners convened at Clarendon Park, 4501 N. Clarendon Avenue, for its regular monthly meeting. As part of the agenda, the Board authorized the agreement to restore the historic Burnham Building located in Jackson Park, approved the District’s request to name a playground in Washington Park in honor of Ronald Johnson and to rename Park #514 in the Humboldt Park community in honor of Sister Patricia Fillenwarth.
As Chicago students look forward to summer break, the Park District delivers a presentation on opportunities available to keep teens active and engaged while school is out. The Park District’s Teen Engagement Unit is tasked with creating programs and events, for residents, ages 13-19 that ensure young people have equitable access to quality program and developmentally meaningful experiences. Teen-specific programs include teen camps, Teen Leadership Club and the District’s Teen Tour series, bringing more than 100 teen opportunities, including events, volunteer opportunities and safe gathering spaces.
“Throughout the year but particularly when school is out, it is imperative that we create welcoming, safe and engaging spaces for our teens and young people to grow and flourish, said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Parks across the city provide those spaces in addition to a diverse offering of teen-specific programs and events that give teens and their families options to engage in constructive activities that support positive peer interaction, overall well-being and civic engagement.”
The presentation also highlighted the T.R.A.C.E. (Teens Re-Imagining Art, Community & Environment) which uses the arts to cultivate civic engagement among teens, and the long-standing Junior Citizens awards and scholarship program. Now in its 73rd year, Junior Citizens honors the civic contributions of teens, who are active in their parks, schools and communities. The Park District also hosts and supports a number of teen sports including the Windy City Hoops Invitational, the Freshman Basketball Invitational and the NIL Sports & Leadership Summit.
During the meeting, the Board authorized the Park District to enter into an agreement with Industria, Inc. for the restoration of the Burnham Building in Jackson Park. The historic building will undergo major construction including structural concrete repairs, façade work, clay tile roof replacement, wood bead board ceiling replacement, new doors and windows, replication and/or reinstallation of salvaged window sash. Washroom upgrades include new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Additional work includes new lighting throughout the building, new pathway paving, regrading, and new storm and sewer systems.
Constructed in 1912, the Burnham Building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The Park District continues to follow all required federal standards for restoration.
The Board approved the proposal to name the unnamed playground at 53rd Street and King Drive, within Washington Park, the Ronald “Ronnieman” Johnson Playground. A beloved member of the Washington Park community, Johnson’s extraordinary contributions led to civic betterment, including posthumous contributions made in his name through advocacy and charitable efforts.
Following the tragic shooting in 2014 that ended Johnson’s life, his mother Ms. Dorothy Holmes launched the RonnieMan Foundation and hosts annual toy, winter clothing, and back-to-school drives in the Washington Park neighborhood. She also organizes annual Easter giveaways near 53rd Street and King Drive, and has helped maintain a food box nearby. Through the foundation, Mr. Johnson has impacted the lives of hundreds of young people by providing donations, advocacy, celebrations, and healing. During the 45-day public comment period initiated by the Board on April 8, 2026, the Chicago Park District received 65 comments, including 62 comments in support of the naming.
The Board also approved the District’s request to rename Park #514 in honor of Sister Patricia Fillenwarth, who was a Sister of Providence and ministered to the people of the Humboldt Park community for forty-two years. Among her many accomplishments and contributions to the community, most notably, she opened Providence Family Services, a center providing bilingual family counseling.
Over time, Sister Patty expanded the center’s offerings to include an after-school tutoring program for children, adult English language classes, computer literacy classes for adults and children, and citizenship classes. Providence Family Services was an anchor in the community that welcomed all regardless of faith, race, or socioeconomic status. During its 24-year history, Providence Family Services served nearly 10,000 people. During the 45-day public comment period, also initiated by the Board on April 8, 2026, the Chicago Park District received 23 comments, including 22 comments in support of the renaming. The Chicago Park District also received a letter of support from Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago.
The Park District Board also authorized a settlement of Eric Lyles v. Chicago Park District in the amount of $53,747.38, subject to the approval of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission.