Organization plays a key role in promoting health and wellness for every Chicagoan
CHICAGO – As 2025 approaches, the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ encourages residents to look to their parks to pursue their health and wellness goals in the new year. Through its affordable, accessible and equitable offerings, the Park District plays an integral role in promoting health and wellness for children, families and communities throughout the city and serves as ideal resources for both physical and mental health goals.
“The Park District is excited to support Chicagoans in their journey to live healthier, more active lives in 2025," said ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño. "We encourage everyone to visit one of our more than 600 parks, one of our outdoor walking paths or wellness classes to accomplish your new year's resolutions!"
As the leading provider of health and recreation opportunities in the city, the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ’s facilitates and promotes engagement in all types of physical activity, for all ages or abilities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. The ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ offers 70 park fitness centers, 20 outdoor fitness courses, 31 running tracks, 22 indoor pools, 18 miles of lakefront trail, nearly 9,000 acres of green space, and hundreds of sports fields and athletic courts. These facilities are welcoming spaces support exercise and active recreation.
The Park District also offers wellness programming to keep people of all ages in motion through all seasons. Patrons are encouraged to check out one of our wellness classes including but not limited to yoga, aerobics, and weight training classes at parks all over the city. Residents searching for a weight loss goal in 2025, may access the Park District’s on-demand physical exercise routines and connect with our wellness team about establishing healthy routines, habits and health goals to significantly decrease the risk of developing a deadly illness. Registration opened earlier this month and most programming for our 2024 winter session runs from January 6 through March 16, 2025. For more information on Winter programs, visit the ¿ì²¥ÊÓƵ website.
This year, the District also partnered with Ann & Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to establish health hubs in communities with higher rates of health disparities including Kelyvn Park in Belmont Cragin and Columbus Park in Austin. Through this partnership, the Park District promotes the importance of physical activity; provides community members with opportunities for fitness, nutrition and mental health education and partner with other external stakeholders to provide health-related education and resources to our staff and the community. In 2025, the District will launch four additional Health Hubs across the north, central and south regions of the city where every member of the community can be connected with essential programs, services and spaces that enhance the overall quality of life.
In addition to our fitness programs, the Park District realized the need for health experts and collaborative input into its overall health strategy. This year, the District developed a Health Advisory Council that is comprised of representatives from hospitals, city departments, sister agencies, and partner organizations that promote active living. To date, the council has helped gather data to assist in directing programs, offered training and education to our staff and strengthened the health and wellness focus for the Park District’s strategic plan.
All of these programs and offerings are part of the Park District’s three pillars of health. Formally introduced in May of 2024, the pillars serve as guiding principles on policy and programing:
- Promoting Community Wellbeing: Park District is committed to connecting community members, including Park District employees, to essential programs and resources that advance wellbeing, improve health outcomes, and enhance quality of life.
- Supporting Active Living Through Parks: Park District provides access to spaces and programs to allow Chicagoans to lead active lifestyles.
- Ensuring a Healthy Food Environment: Park District supports access to healthy food options for those who are food insecure; increasing nutrition education to improve diet quality and reduce chronic disease risk.
Health and Wellness is a key value of the Park District and will continue to guide efforts to provide opportunities for leisure, fitness and recreational activities that enrich community wellbeing, support active living and promote a healthy food environment in 2025 and beyond.