Chicago Park District Board Authorizes More than $4 Million for New Park Development on the Near North Side and Awards Contract for Golf Facility Management; Grants Provisional[...]

District presents Strategic Plan and reaches agreement with Local Union 703

Today, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners authorized the District to enter into an agreement that will bring $4 million in new park investment to the Near North community. The contract was awarded to Bear Construction to develop Park 598, located at 1500 N. Larrabee.
Features of the new park reflect the community's input and include a new walking path, playground, an adult fitness area, pathways, seating, lighting, plaza, dog friendly area and landscaping. The 3.8 acre parcel is the former site of the Near North High School outdoor recreation area.

"Parks truly activate communities and provide vital resources for children and families to thrive, and the new development of Park 598 will do just that for the Near North community," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. This project also highlights the importance of intergovernmental collaboration and the impact we can make with we work together. I'd like to thank our colleagues at the Chicago Housing Authority for helping us increase parkland and improving the quality of life for neighboring residents."

After Chicago Public Schools closed the Near North High School in 2001, the land reverted back to the Chicago Housing Authority. The CHA transferred the site to the Chicago Park District in May 2019 to be improved and used as a new park.

The Board also authorized the General Superintendent to enter into a ten-year agreement with Indigo Sports, LLC for the management, maintenance and operations of the Park District golf facilities which include six golf courses, three driving ranges and one miniature golf course, including all site and maintenance buildings, and concessions. The contractor's responsibilities include but are not limited to staffing and operations, maintenance of facilities including greens, fairways and ponds and implementing capital improvements.

The contractor will also implement teaching and outreach programs designed to increase public awareness and engagement of underrepresented communities including minority, female, junior, senior, socio-economically challenged, and cognitively and/or physically disabled golfers.

"Chicago Park District golf facilities are beautiful and unique spaces offering golfers affordable, accessible and one-of-a kind experiences throughout the city," said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. "Working with Indigo we seek to further elevate the park golf experience attracting new golfers through thoughtful programs, events and other opportunities"

Indigo Sports is the world's largest golf and hospitality management company, providing management services to 875+ locations in 45 states and 35 countries, including providing full management to 150+ municipally owned facilities. The minority and women-owned participation for this contract includes: 41.94% MBE participation and 18.95% WBE participation, exceeding the District's goals.

The Board approved the District's request to rename Park No. 599, Interfaith Park following the 45-day public notice period. The proposed name honors Herman Schaalman, long-serving Rabbi of Emanuel Congregation, a Reform Judaism synagogue that is located near the park, and his wife Lotte. The Schaalmans were well known in the community for their work fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Their leadership has been influential in the Edgewater community's actions to promote inclusivity and help refugees, the mentally ill, the hungry and poor. The proposed park name is supported by the Edgewater community. Construction on the new 1.08 acre park was recently completed. The passive park features landscaping, a walking path, a drinking fountain, benches and seating areas surrounding an open lawn.

The Park District also delivered a presentation on its 2024 Strategic Plan. Back in January, the District launched the community engagement to gather input from residents, community leaders, partners, teens, Park staff and other key stakeholders. The District hosted more then 100 hours of meetings including eleven town halls, seven community meetings, five community interviews, five board interviews, five teens focus groups and two roundtables. The input gathered from these opportunities helped the District establish and prioritize the refreshed goals and values to guide the District's efforts and the future of Chicago parks.

The District granted provisional approval to permit 2024 Riot Fest in Douglass Park. The Board's vote follows strong support from the North Lawndale leadership and community. As a permitted event with an attendance of 10,000 or more, Riot Fest is required to submit and execute a community engagement plan which includes a public meeting. Over the past several months, festival organizers hosted more than 140 meetings with community stakeholders, including residents, local businesses and nearby hospitals in addition to the required community meeting held on March 11th.

Riot Fest meets the requirements for the Park District's Park Enhancement Fund created to allocate ten percent of the revenue from multi-day, permitted events with a daily attendance of 3,000 or more and reinvest it directly into the park that hosted the event. The 2024 Riot Fest is expected to generate roughly $675K in total. Following the event, the Park District will coordinate opportunities for the community to review potential capital improvement projects and lend their voice to the selection process.

The Board authorized the District to enter into an agreement with the Produce Drivers and Florist Union, Local 703 after members ratified terms adopted by Local 73 earlier this year.

The Board approved contracts for painting supplies and roofing supplies. In addition, a change order was approved in the amount of $758,444.00 for the design of DuSable Park. The Board also approved a change order for $587,633.18 for the construction of the Garfield Park Conservatory Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden for the addition of two play features.

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