Park Namings & Renamings

Procedures for Requesting to Name or Rename a Park or Feature


Introducing a Naming Request 

As outlined in Park Naming & Unnaming Process for Introduction of Requests, the Park District may introduce up to two (2) new naming or unnaming requests at only the September and April Board of Commissioners meetings. No more than four (4) naming or unnaming requests will be introduced in a calendar year. Should a regularly scheduled September or April Board of Commissioners meeting be canceled, the naming request(s) may be introduced at the following Board of Commissioners meeting. Similarly, an action may otherwise be postponed to a later Board meeting if operational needs require it. No other naming requests will be introduced to the Board outside of these months. 

 

Deadline for Submission of Naming Requests 

The Park District will adhere to the following timelines for naming or unnaming requests. Additional details are included within the Park Naming & Unnaming Process for Introduction of Requests. 

  • The deadline for submitting naming or unnaming requests for the April Board meeting is January 15 of each year. Requests submitted after January 15 may be considered for the September Board meeting.
  • The deadline for submitting naming or unnaming requests for the September Board meeting is June 15 of each year. Requests submitted after June 15 may be considered for the April Board meeting. 

 

Submitting Requests 

Requests must be submitted in writing via mail or email. Requests can be emailed to LCA@ChicagoParkDistrict.com. Mailed requests can be addressed to: 

Chicago Park District 
Re: Park / Feature Naming Request 
Office of the Board Secretary  
4830 S. Western Ave.  
Chicago, IL 60609


Naming requests must include: 

  • The proposed name or the name to be removed,
  • The location of the park or park feature,
  • The rationale for the request, and
  • If the naming request is for a person, provide the date of birth and death of that person, along with a biography.
  • Supplemental background information, such as any other relevant biographical or historical information, if any.  


Per Chapter 7 of the Chicago Park District Code, the Park District has a general presumption in favor of names reflecting historical or physical features of neighborhoods, rather than names honoring persons or organizations.  

  • If a proposed name is of a person, then (i) the person shall have been deceased for at least one year prior to consideration; and (ii) the person shall have demonstrated a continued commitment and made an extraordinary contribution to civic betterment, locally, nationally or internationally.
  • If the proposed name is of an organization, the organization shall have demonstrated a continued commitment and made an extraordinary contribution to civic betterment, locally, nationally, or internationally.
  • If the proposed name is of an event, then (i) the event shall have occurred at least one year prior to consideration; and (ii) the event shall have local, national or international significance.  

 

Procedures 

Once the request and supporting documents have been reviewed, the Park District may request additional information or supporting documents from the requester. Supporting documents may include community support in the form of letters from organizations or individuals. 

Submitting a request does not constitute an automatic Board action, naming, or renaming. A referral may or may not be made for the Board of Commissioners review to initiate naming process. 

The process is initiated in two phases, and the Park District Board of Commissioners approves each phase. 

  • Phase I 
    Phase I initiates the 45-Day Notice period. Upon approval from the Board of Commissioners, this process notifies the community surrounding the park of the intent to name or rename a park or feature. The period lasts for 45-days during which members of the public can submit their support or opposition to the naming or renaming of the park or feature. Once Phase I has been completed Phase II will begin. 

    No naming/renaming requests are under Phase I at this time. 
     
  • Phase II 
    Upon the end of the 45-day notice period, comments of opposition and support will be reviewed to determine if Phase II will move forward. Once a review has been completed a recommendation will be made for Phase II to be initiated. The proposal will be presented before the Board of Commissioners for approval. If approved, the official naming will begin via notification of the park and support personnel for signage, etc. 

    No naming/renaming requests are under Phase II at this time. 

 

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