Politics
Chicago Park District CEO Rosa Escareño Announces Resignation
Video: Rosa Escareño appears on “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” on Feb. 27, 2025. (Produced by Sean Keenehan)
After a career in city government spanning 35 years and five mayoral administrations, Rosa Escareño, general superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, is stepping down from public life.
“It’s the right time, because when I came to the district, I set very clear goals for myself and I have reached the goals that I set for myself,” Escareño told WTTW News’ “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices.” “There is so much more work to do to improve the city and to improve the district, but I feel that this is the right time.”
On Wednesday, Escareño announced her resignation, just hours after participating in a meeting of the Park District Board of Commissioners.
“It has been my life’s work to serve the people of this great city that provided me so many opportunities,” Escareño said in a statement. “As a kid who grew up in the parks, I could have never dreamed I would have the chance to lead this remarkable organization!”
Escareño had retired from city government once before, in July 2021, after spending years as commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. She was lured back into service by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who tapped Escareño first as interim and then permanent head of the Park District in October 2021 and May 2022, respectively.
At the time, the Park District was reeling from a scandal involving assault and harassment in its lifeguard corps. An investigation ultimately led to the ousting of Mike Kelly, the district's long-time general superintendent, along with Board President Avis Lavelle.
LaVelle was replaced by Myetie Hamilton, who steered the board of commissioners through the aftermath of the lifeguard scandal. Hamilton resigned in July 2024.
Escareño was charged with rebuilding trust in the district — externally and internally — as well as increasing transparency and reviving programming and services following the COVID-19 shutdown.
“It was such a challenging time,” Escareño said. “So we’re dealing with this crisis, making sure that we’re building and restoring trust. But building a district that really ensures safety and holds people accountable, while at the same time, ramping up reopening the parks, bringing back 3,000 workers and making sure that the residents have all the services that they need after being closed.”
In a statement, Escareño said she was proud to establish safeguards “to protect employees and park patrons from being victimized or subject to harassment.”
Her tenure was not without controversies of its own, including ongoing objections to public park land being used for private enterprise, specifically events such as Riot Fest. Implementation of a more formal permitting process for such events did little to quell opposition.
“We have to constantly revisit our policies and our initiatives,” Escareño said. “But I think we’ve come a long way. We’ve definitely included more community participation, and I know that many festivals are contributing to actually our ability to run a district. Those revenues go right back into service delivery for the people that we serve.”
The city's parks have also found themselves at the center of Chicago's affordable housing and migrant crises, with tent encampments of unhoused people creating a source of conflict among residents. One such encampment at Gompers Park on the North Side was the source of heated comment at Wednesday's board meeting.
Sean Keenehan contributed to this report.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
Note: This article was published Feb. 26, 2025, and updated Feb. 27, 2025.
