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The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting, during which Dr. Marlon Everett was unanimously re-elected as Board President and Modesto Valle as Vice President. Dr. Everett was initially appointed by Mayor Johnson in September of the previous year and became Board Chair in November. Modesto Valle has served on the Park Board since September 2021 and was re-elected as Vice President in May 2023.
The Board authorized a contract with Davey Resources Group to conduct a district-wide tree inventory and develop an urban forest management plan. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive data on park trees, including species, condition, and total count, to inform future maintenance and growth strategies for the urban forest. The project is funded through a grant from the Morton Arboretum received via the US Forest Service under the Infrastructure Reinvestment Act.
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, stated: “Chicago parks are very fortunate to have such an impressive tree canopy and with this treasure comes a great responsibility.” He emphasized that completing this inventory will help maintain and grow the tree canopy for future generations.
Additionally, the Board approved an agreement with Open Kitchens, Incorporated for providing meals through its Summer Food Service program at over 200 park locations. This program addresses food insecurity among participants by ensuring access to nutritious meals throughout the year.
General Superintendent Ramirez-Rosa remarked: “Parks have a long, rich history of responding to the immediate needs of the communities we serve.”
The meeting also covered several other topics including authorizing design contracts for Piotrowski Park's pool enclosure project following City Council's approval of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Williams Associates Architects Ltd. will handle this project which includes upgrades to locker rooms and expansion of outdoor facilities.
The Board initiated a 45-day public comment period regarding proposals related to renaming Park 596 after current and past board members, as well as unnaming West Chatham Park based on community feedback requested by Alderman William Hall.
Furthermore, changes were approved to Chapter II of the Park District Code reflecting current operations within its Office of Inspector General (OIG) after no public comments were submitted during an earlier comment period.
Presentations included updates on Chicago’s harbor system contributing significant revenue exceeding $30 million last year along with details about May in Motion—a health initiative encouraging residents' physical activity throughout May.
Additional agenda items involved infrastructure improvements like installing traffic lights at headquarters plus agreements enhancing telecommunications services across neighborhood parks facilitated by Comcast alongside approving workers' compensation settlements.
