CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Park District have announced the launch of a new initiative to enhance cooling capabilities at 42 park sites in the city. This project, which is part of a larger effort to address historic disinvestment and promote equity in community spaces, will receive $1 million in targeted investments.

According to Mayor Johnson, this investment is crucial for communities that have faced the greatest impacts of extreme heat and have also been historically underinvested in resources to keep residents safe. He stated, "For too long, communities that have faced the greatest impacts of extreme heat have also borne the weight of underinvestment in the resources needed to keep neighbors safe."

The pilot initiative will prioritize investments based on data from the Chicago Heat Vulnerability Index (HVI), developed by Northwestern University's Buffett Institute for Global Affairs. This index incorporates research expertise from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the City of Chicago to identify areas most vulnerable to extreme heat events.

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Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa emphasized the importance of public health in this project. He stated, "These TIF surplus investments in air conditioning will help address systemic health inequities and transform vulnerable neighborhoods by providing reliable, climate-resilient, and accessible public cooling spaces when and where they are needed most."

The HVI mapping tool has enabled the Park District to identify 42 priority sites for cooling investments. These include 19 parks in "Most Vulnerable" communities and 21 parks in "Vulnerable" neighborhoods. By utilizing data-driven analysis, the Park District hopes to make strategic investments that will benefit those most impacted by extreme weather events.

By summer 2026, 20 sites will be equipped with upgraded air conditioning systems, with an additional 10 parks completed by the end of this year. The Park District is also working on designs for 12 larger capital projects that will include cooling infrastructure. Upon completion, a total of 42 park sites will have upgraded cooling capabilities.

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Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer and Department of Environment Commissioner, highlighted the importance of data-driven tools in addressing climate challenges. She stated, "With data-driven tools like the Heat Vulnerability Index, we can better understand where support is needed most and direct resources to neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by extreme weather."

Extreme heat poses a major public health emergency for residents across Chicago. By investing in cooling improvements, the Chicago Park District is taking steps to ensure that residents have safe and welcoming spaces to seek relief from the heat. These improvements will complement the City of Chicago's broader cooling resources, including 22 lakefront beaches, 77 neighborhood indoor and outdoor pools, and over 240 park-based water spray features.

During this pilot program, the Park District will also be testing innovative and cost-effective cooling technologies and equipment for potential use in future expansion projects. This project represents an important step towards building a healthier and more climate-resilient Chicago for all residents.

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