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The Chicago Park District has released its inaugural sustainability report titled "Parks Are Making Chicago a Greener City." This report emphasizes the significant role parks play in enhancing the city's environmental health and outlines the District's initiatives to manage and preserve natural resources for both current and future generations.
Guided by the District’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, the sustainability report is a blueprint for future park development. The plan was developed through public engagement, identifying stakeholder needs and concerns, reaffirming sustainability's importance, and challenging the District to evaluate its greening efforts. As stated in the Strategic Plan, “The Chicago Park District’s mission is to give people of all ages, identities, and abilities access to quality recreation, wellness opportunities, and sustainable green spaces in every neighborhood.”
Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño expressed enthusiasm about the report: “The Parks Are Making Chicago A Greener City! We are excited to develop and share the District’s first sustainability report, which underscores the great work we are doing to support sustainable practices in every neighborhood.” She added that they are proud of their accomplishments such as establishing natural areas, supporting biodiversity, protecting tree canopies, and creating opportunities for residents to engage with nature.
The report highlights several achievements in operating responsibly. The Park District manages over 600 parks and more than 250 fieldhouses citywide. It makes annual capital investments with sustainability as a priority. Initiatives include purchasing energy credits equal to 100% of electricity consumption for sustainable energy sources; converting park light fixtures to LED bulbs; installing user-activated drinking fountains; collecting stormwater in rain barrels; reusing wood from removed trees; banning Styrofoam at concessions; digitizing operations; using biodiesel blends for maintenance equipment.
In caring for nature within an urban environment where native habitats are scarce, the Park District has established prairies, savannas, woodlands, wetlands, dunes by planting native species while controlling invasive ones. Notable projects include removing a dam on North Shore Channel restoring habitat connectivity for wildlife; transforming brownfields into greenspaces like La Villita Park in South Lawndale.
Education is also key with over 83 thousand individuals participating in environmental programs last year alone alongside thousands volunteering stewardship hours across parks citywide. Eco-recreation investments have been made at Big Marsh Steelworkers Parks encouraging active recreation amidst nature while constructing nature play spaces featuring elements like mud kitchens reclaimed wood fostering awareness appreciation among children.
Partnerships enhance impact further exemplified through collaborations sister agencies research institutions community groups advancing resilience efforts across Chicago notably working alongside Adler Planetarium Field Museum Shedd Aquarium expanding Museum Campus habitats aligning broader climate action goals reducing emissions by 62% by 2040 according Climate Action Plan implementing Sustainable Development Policy preserving natural assets River Ecology Governance Task Our Roots Tree Ambassador Program ensuring thriving greenspaces amid global warming challenges.
Looking forward developing Sustainability Plan will identify improvement areas set metrics guide investment decisions making Chicago greener city continues focus efforts view full report online learn more via official website link provided end release statement
