23 hours ago - Climate
How far $500K goes at Chicago parks
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A Chicago park. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
For the first time, Chicagoans can weigh in on how the Park District spends $500,000.
Why it matters: Participatory budgeting gives residents a say in how city officials spend tax dollars on public amenities and services.
How it works: Community members have until Aug. 27 to vote on what they want prioritized.
- Park district officials compiled a list of feasible ideas from more than 1,000 suggestions submitted by parkgoers.
- Those ideas were then placed into one of four categories, which voters rank, with at least nine projects from the winning category to be completed.
To get a sense of how far $500,000 could go, here are some common costs, according to the Park District.
Yes, but: Some projects are not part of participatory budgeting, like new playgrounds, spray features and fieldhouses.
How to vote: Pick up a ballot at a park fieldhouse or vote online.