Authorizes Extensions for Janitorial, Pool and Lakefront and Museum Campus Landscape Services
Board, Park District celebrate February as Heart Health Month; hosts free screenings to raise awareness and promote healthy living
Today, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners convened for the regular, monthly meeting at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, 740 E. 56th Place. The Museum, founded by the late artist, educator and the longest serving Chicago Park District Board Commissioner Dr. Margaret T. Burroughs. During the meeting, Board and District heard a presentation on the centennial celebration of Black History Month including the recognition of the rich and diverse contributions of American Americans and parks named in their honor. In 2015, Chicago’s 31st Street Beach was named in honor of Dr. Margaret Burroughs.
During the meeting, the Board granted provisional approval for various large-permitted events including El Grito, the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge Chicago, Bike the Drive, Skechers Hot Chocolate Run Chicago to be held in Grant Park and the ARC Music Festival to be held in Union Park later this year.
The Park District’s Code requires provisional Board approval for permitted events with 10,000 or more attendees per day. Provisional approval authorizes the event organizer to continue with the permit process which includes the fulfillment of other requirements including approvals from city agencies. Event organizers must submit and execute a community engagement plan among other requirements before a Special Event Permit can be issued. Last year, the Park District launched the Park Enhancement Fund, to allocate a percentage of revenue from multi-day, permitted events with daily attendance of 3000 or more and reinvests funds directly into the park that hosted the event. The Park District utilizes participatory budgeting, the democratic process in which community stakeholders are engaged to determine how funds are spent.
“Park permitted events activate our park spaces, enliven our city neighborhoods and support recreation aspirations of residents, families and while generating revenue that keeps park programs and services affordable,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “We thank the Board for their consideration and provisional approval for these events and we look forward to working with the organizers to continue the permit process.”
Also during the meeting, the Board authorized the resolution for the reimbursement of expenditures related to the District’s 2026 Capital Improvement Program. The authorization permits the Park District to recapture funds paid for the costs of the projects and expenses in an amount not to exceed $40 million. The Park District annual capital bond is typically used to maintain existing assets like fieldhouse roofs, boilers and pool liners. The funds allow the District to attract outside grants donations to fund larger capital investments slated for construction this year like the new fieldhouse at Kells Park in the Humboldt Park community and Ogden Park in the Englewood community, major fieldhouse renovations at Douglass Park in North Lawndale, Avondale Park in the Avondale community; shoreline protection and habitat development at Calumet Park in the Eastside community among other projects across the city.
The Board authorized the District to enter into an agreement with Chicago Skating Partners LLC for the management of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Family Entertainment Center (MLK Center), located at 1219 West 77th Street in the Auburn Gresham community. The MLK Center offers a roller rink, bowling alley, electronic game card arcade, prize redemption shop and snack and attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually. The contractor is responsible for all aspects of operations including but not limited to staffing, maintenance, security, event planning and rentals. The amount of the seven-year contract is not to exceed $1,698,172.00. Participation for the contract is 55.7% MBE and 5% WBE participation, exceeding the Park District’s goals.
Other agenda items included approvals for one-year extensions on contracts for landscape services for comfort stations, beach houses and special use facilities, pool related supplies and janitorial services.
The Park District also delivered a presentation on its efforts to promote health and well-being in celebration of Hearth Health Month. The Chicago Park District, in collaboration with external health partners, announced year two of its Heart Health initiative with free heart health screenings throughout the month of February. Park patrons can access free hearth health screenings Saturday, February 21st at Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave; Thursday, February 26th at Warren Park, 6601 N. Western Ave. and Friday, February 27th Ogden Park, 6500 S. Racine Ave. Visit Heart Health Month for more information.