News Story

Chicago, IL – Today, the Chicago Park District announced the launch of the voting period for the Citywide Participatory Budgeting (PB) program created to provide an avenue for public stake in identifying local park needs, proposing ideas for park improvements, and selecting projects with an outstanding, lasting impact on their neighborhoods. Voting runs from July 27, 2026 through August 27, 2026. Ballot boxes are accessible at Park District fieldhouses citywide, and voting is available online at chicagoparkdistrict.com/pb. Participants must be at least 13 years of age and Chicago residents to vote.

In March, the public was invited to submit ideas and/or feedback for park improvements citywide to be considered for an inaugural investment of $500,000 and officially launch the democratic selection process. This process emboldens the civic capacity of the residents that use our park spaces, ensures equitable access to participation and funding, and brings underrepresented groups to the table.

“We are excited to see our Chicago community, specifically park users and stakeholders, getting involved and providing feedback to ensure that park improvements align with community expectations and needs citywide,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “As we continue the process, we encourage residents to vote on the broader categories that they would like the Park District to prioritize for implementation and resource allocation."

Through this newly introduced participatory governance and community involvement process, the Park District received 1,082 project ideas that were reviewed for feasibility, cost and safety by an internal park team. The qualifying ideas were divided by the Steering Committee into four categories that are being made available to the public during this voting period.

The four categories are:

• Accessibility, Public Safety and Inclusion
  o    Examples include: ADA accessible playground, ramps, lighting and security cameras
• Recreation Infrastructure
  o    Examples include: Ballfield/sports courts rehab
• Permanent Fixtures and Park Amenities
  o    Examples include: Benches, picnic tables, bike racks
• Nature and Beautification
  o    Examples include: Trees, pollinator gardens, nature play spaces

More specific examples will be available at chicagoparkdistrict.com/pb.  Residents are being invited to rank the broader project categories that include feasible project scopes. The eligible categories with the most votes, which will include at least nine projects identified by community members as park improvement priorities, will be funded citywide. Awarded projects will be announced later this year with construction to begin in late 2026 and continue into 2027.