Chicago Park District

About

The Chicago Park District manages the public parks, beaches, natural areas and recreation facilities across the city of Chicago. It operates swimming pools, fitness centers, pickleball courts and other facilities, and it maintains public artwork and monuments in its parks. It offers recreation programs for early childhood, youth, teens, adults and seniors, along with special recreation, aquatics, camps, gymnastics, nature and arts and culture programs. It also issues permits for picnics, festivals, weddings, athletic events and filming, and hosts seasonal events in the parks. The district is governed by a Board of Commissioners and carries out capital projects such as playgrounds, gardens and shoreline work. It also supports artists and community members through initiatives like the Anchor Curatorial Residency.