Park District and Board acknowledge employees and programming dedicated to uplifting girls and future women leaders
Today, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners approved various requests made by the District, spurring significant investment in neighborhood parks and families, including the District’s first fully inclusive playground slated for construction in historic Jackson Park.
The District awarded the contract to AGAE Contractors, Incorporated to construct of the 21,000 square-foot play space at the east end of the Midway Plaisance that will offer a variety of play features that allow side-by-side play such as an ADA accessible swing, a slide with a transfer platform for wheelchair users and variety of sensory nooks, including a mud kitchen and a fragrance garden that provide those with sensory needs a break from the busier sections of the playground. The Park District worked closely with its Disability Policy Office as well as accessibility advocates with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Access Living to finalize the playground design.
Other park improvements include the development of the open lawn and restoration of the historic Jackson Park features like the north-south path through the east panel of the Midway and the Cheney-Goode Memorial, one of the city’s earliest monuments dedicated to women. Installed in 1932, the Memorial honors the political work and accomplishments of political activist, reformer, and legislator Flora Sylvester Cheney (1872–1929) and educator and Illinois State legislator Katherine Hancock Goode (1872–1928). Cheney and Goode were both members of the League of Women Voters and made significant contributions to civic life in their south side neighborhoods.
These improvements were selected as a result of community engagement and in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Federal Highway Administration, the Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation as a result of the Federal Review process for the Jackson Park Transportation Improvements project in support of the Obama Presidential Center. It was noted that the neighboring community would benefit from an inclusive playground design that provides space specially designed for children with diverse needs. The Obama Foundation is gifting the Chicago Park District with $4M to construct the highly inclusive, adaptable playground; the first of its kind in the city.
“We are so excited to partner with the Obama Foundation to bring this incredible new amenity and resource to Jackson Park, said Chicago Park District General Superintendent Rosa Escareño. “The District’s first, fully inclusive playground is designed to meet the needs of diverse users and provide families with a unique experience for children and caregivers that underscores the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in our parks.”
“A park offering this level of inclusion and accessibility is truly groundbreaking for Chicago families,” continued President Hamilton. “We are grateful for the partnership with the Obama Foundation that will make this a reality.”
The inclusive playground and other investments demonstrate the Obama Foundation’s commitment to investing in green spaces and local community members on the South Side. It follows a $3.6M gift to the Park District to construct a state-of-the-art Bob Pickens Track and Field, located in Jackson Park. This valuable community resource is used by neighboring residents, walking clubs, schools and community-based athletic teams.
Keeping with the District’s commitment to increasing accessibility in parks, the Board approved the ordinance allowing the District to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $11 million for ADA related improvements.
The Board also approved the District to enter into an agreement with Anchor Mechanical, Incorporated to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Brainerd Park, 1296 W. 92nd Street in the Washington Park community and Sherwood Park, 5701 S. Shields Avenue in the Englewood community. Additionally, the District will place the roof of the Brainerd fieldhouse. These improvements are essential vital to the operations of both fieldhouses which provide vital resources in their respective communities. The $2,815,897.00 contract exceeds the District’s compliance goals with 25% MBE and 25% WBE participation.
Also during the meeting, the Board authorized the Park District to enter into a contract with Clauss Brothers for maintenance services for Osaka Garden located in Jackson Park. The Osaka Garden, also known as the Garden of the Phoenix, Osaka Garden is a traditional Japanese garden designed with landscape features, including the Phoenix Temple, Moon bridge and Cherry Blossom trees, that celebrate the relationship between Chicago and its sister city Osaka Japan. Osaka Garden, a popular attraction for both residents and tourists, has seen a dramatic increase in in visitors in recent years, thanks in part to a robust partnership with the City of Osaka, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Chicago, and the Garden of the Phoenix Foundation. The annual cherry blossom festival in the spring draws thousands of visitors.
The Garden requires highly specialized pruning and other maintenance services to ensure that the plant material and garden elements continue to correctly conform to the stylistic conventions of this type of traditional Japanese garden. The gardens also in need of repairs due to aging infrastructure, damage from high lake levels and impacts from large crowds. The two-year contract is $500,000 and meets the Park District’s compliance goals with 25% MBA and 5% WBE participation.
The Board also approved agreements for janitorial services for comfort stations, beach houses and special use facilities located in the District’s Central region parks which are located south of North Avenue (1600 North) and Garfield Boulevard (5500 South).
The District also gained approval from the Board to amend the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Chicago and the Cook County Forest Preserve to support NeighborSpace, the not-for-profit corporation established by the agencies that owns, leases and insures small community-managed parks, gardens, natural areas, river edges and other landscapes within the City of Chicago. Since its inception in 1997, NeighborSpace has played an important role in providing and managing open space in Chicago. Chicago Park District staff work closely with NeighborSpace staff to provide support and technical expertise to a city-wide network of 140 community-managed assets including nature play spaces, stormwater landscapes, urban farms and traditional community gardens. The amended agreement increases the amount of financial contribution provided by the Park District from $100,000 to $180,000; the first increase since the program began. The term of the agreement was also amended to expire December 31, 2033.
The Board of Commissioners granted the Adler Planetarium’s request to change its general admission fees for residents and non-resident visitors. Fees for city residents will change from $6 to $8 for children and $17 to $20 for adults. Fees for non-city residents will change from $8 to $13 for children and $19 to $25 for adults. The new fee changes will take effect April 1, 2024. As a member of the Museums in the Park, the Adler offers 52 admission free days annually along with discounts for veterans and military personnel, teachers, Chicago police and firefighters.
The Chosen Few House Music Picnic held annually in Jackson Park was granted provisional approval by the Board in according with the Park District’s Code which requires provisional Board approval for permitted events with 10,000 or more attendees.
Commissioner Ashley Netzky was honored for her five years of service to the Park District Board. A resolution was read into record acknowledging Netzky’s tireless dedication to public service and philanthropy. Also, celebrating March as Women’s History Month, the Board acknowledged recipients of the Park District Willye B. White Award, presented to District employees who make outstanding contributions to the District’s Girls Day of PLAY initiative, created to increase opportunities for girls, minimize the disparity in girls who participate in sports, uplift participants through sports and other positive activities.