Board welcomes four new Commissioners; District supports health equity across Chicago neighborhoods
Today, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners approved $17 million in park fieldhouse improvements to support vital park operations and spur significant investment in neighborhood parks and families. Projects include the new fieldhouse at Jackie Robinson Park, 10540 S. Morgan in the Washington Heights community and major renovations to the existing fieldhouse at Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood in the Hermosa community.
“We are so excited to move forward with these two major park investments at Jackie Robinson and Kelvyn Parks, said Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “Whether it’s building a new fieldhouse from the ground up or making major renovations on an existing facility, these improvements directly translate to increased and enhanced recreation opportunities that support our youth, their families and the surrounding community.”
The Board authorized the District to award the contract to Pacific Construction, LLC to develop the new 18,000 square foot Jackie Robinson Park fieldhouse that includes a full-sized gymnasium with a basketball court and drop-down batting cages, two multipurpose clubrooms, a fitness center, dedicated teen room, pantry and restrooms. The new facility will replace the small, aged fieldhouse which no longer met the needs of the community. The $14,400,814.00 contract exceeds the District’s compliance goals with 25.66% MBE and 5.15% WBE participation.
The Board also authorized the contract with All-Bry Construction Company to renovate the Kelvyn Park fieldhouse. Accessibility improvements include a new exterior ramp, new concrete exterior stairs and front plaza replacement, full renovation of two first floor bathrooms and renovations to two, first floor club rooms. These renovations will allow the fieldhouse to be used as a polling location in addition to increasing accessibility for daily park users. Other improvements include roof replacement and select mechanical, electrical and plumbing work. The $2,933,000.00 contract exceeds the District’s compliance goals with 37% MBE and 15% WBE participation.
Also at today’s meeting, the Board approved the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the Park District and SEIU Local 73, which represents two-thirds of the District’s workforce. The agreement allocates an additional $28 million in wage increases, bonuses and benefits for its workforce over the life of the agreement.
“Our workforce is the greatest asset we have and the District is at its best when our employees feel valued and supported,” said General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “Park employees do the important work of uplifting Chicago families and bring life to parks in every community. This is why we are pleased to have finalized an agreement that reflects the District’s commitment to support our employees and their families through higher wages and an improved benefits package.”
As the third largest park system in the country, the District provides essential programs and services to thousands of Chicago park users. The newly negotiated terms include a robust wage and benefits package that supports workforce retention while also attracting new, qualified professionals, which directly impacts the District’s capacity to deliver opportunities and services to Chicago families.
The tentative agreement was reached on April 9th after nearly ten months of negotiations. Terms of the agreement with the SEIU include:
- An increase of more than $28 million in salaries, wages and benefits over the course of a new contract, in addition to the $184 million the District currently spends on personnel-related costs and benefits.
- An average salary increase of 23% for most SEIU Local 73 employees, including a 19.7% increase for full-time employees, a 26.6% increase for hourly employees and a 17% increase for seasonal employees over the course of the contract.
- Individual positions will receive salary increases between 12% and 46%. This includes Recreation Leader, Special Recreation Leader, Lifeguard and Attendant for year-round, part-time and seasonal workers through 2027.
- Hourly and seasonal lifeguards will see an increase of 43% and 31% respectively, increasing pay from $18.50/hour to $24/hour and $16/hour to $21/hour over the course of the contract.
Also, as part of the agreement, the District will pay a one-time, essential worker bonus up to $2250 to employees who worked through the pandemic and increased longevity pay for employees with ten or more years of service. The District will also expand its paid parental leave from 8 to 12 weeks.
The Board also welcomed four Commissioners. New to the Board and serving on their first meeting are Coya Paz Brownrigg, Strategic Director of the historic Free Street Theater in Chicago; Robert Casteneda, Executive Director and co-founder of Beyond the Ball; Sean Garrett, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Metro Chicago and Pastor Philip Jackson, Founder of The House Covenant Church and The Firehouse Community Arts Center.
The Park District presented its new Health and Wellness initiative focusing on health equity and connecting communities with health disparities to local parks as a way to improve community wellness. The District’s health and wellness approach is anchored by three pillars: community wellbeing, active living through parks and healthy food environment, which will guide Parks’ wellness efforts. The District also kicked off May in Motion to encourage people to move and live healthier lifestyles. This is in alignment with Mayor Johnson’s May In Motion proclamation urging Chicago residents to spend at least 150 minutes each week of the month being active. The District delivered a presentation on its efforts to encourage residents to get active and adopt a healthier lifestyle by hosting free, pop-up fitness classes across the city throughout the month and offering free use of Park District fitness centers May 28th through June 2nd.
“The parks are health hubs and are essential to supporting healthy lifestyles, not only physical health but mental health,” said Rosa General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “Our new Health and Wellness initiative will work with health experts to support communities facing health disparities that impact families’ quality of life daily”
The Park District plays a vital role in health equity in Chicago by offering hundreds of free and affordable health, fitness and wellness opportunities in all 77 Chicago communities throughout the year. For more information on May In Motion opportunities, visit here.
The District also delivered a presentation on the elements of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race being permitted in Grant Park later this year.