2012 Budget Summary - Chicago Park District

DemographicsChicago Park District HistoryIn 1934, the Illinois legislature byway of the Park Consolidation Actconsolidated 22 separate parkdistricts in the City of Chicago toofficially create the Chicago ParkDistrict as it is presentlyconstituted. The consolidation intoone municipal agency was intendedto solve the numerous financial,management and infrastructureproblems of the previously separatedistricts. The original goals andobjectives of the District included astrong fiscal policy, a unified taxlevy, and the power to issue parkbonds for development and improvement, and solicitation of federal assistance from the PublicWorks Administration.Today, the Chicago Park District owns over 8,100 acres of green space on which rests 580 parks,260 field houses, and 26 miles of pristine lakefront with 32 beaches, making it the largestmunicipal park manager in the nation. Park District field houses, playgrounds, gardens andother facilities are the backbone of recreation for communities throughout the city. Fromcanoeing to batting cages, to arts and crafts, there is never a shortage of activities to participatein Chicago’s parks.Popular AttractionsClarence Buckingham MemorialFountain - This popular landmarkwas built in 1927 to provide amonumental focal point whileprotecting the park'sbreathtaking lakefront views.Visitors enjoy a dazzling music,light and water show, which runsfrom dusk to 11 pm; every houron the hour and lasts for 20minutes.Grant Park 1929Arrival of Queen Elizabeth near Buckingham Fountain in 1959Grant Park - Proudly referred to as Chicago's "front yard," Grant Park is among the city'sloveliest and most prominent parks. Grant Park is the site of three world-class museums: the17