Chicago’s beaches are opening Friday, marking the unofficial start to summer.

The announcement is a major blow to Mayor Brandon Johnson, who fully embraced the Bears’ vision for a reimagined Museum Campus and endorsed the team’s call for taxpayers to pick up approximately $2.4 billion of the total $4.75 billion cost of the project.

Ever since it opened in 2023, the Chicago Park District’s new 17-acre headquarters in Brighton Park has been known as Park 596.

The Chicago Park District is undertaking an inventory of its trees — counting their numbers and recording their health — in order to develop a management plan.

Chicago was once a swamp. In some places, it still is. But will climate change undo wetland restoration efforts?

The life and legacy of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, who is largely referred to as Chicago’s founder, is being honored at a new park just east of where the Haitian-born trader settled near the river.

More than 90 bands will be performing during the three-day festival held Sept. 19-21 in Douglass Park.

The visitor center reopened Monday after closing for repairs in November 2023 following damage from a fire.

The Chicago Park District said the best viewing will likely run through April 27.

After 10 years as the 35th Ward alderperson, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa is moving to a different office: superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District.

The rock festival will announce this year’s lineup on April 23 with tickets going on sale that day, according to festival organizers. The three-day festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will be held Sept. 19-21.

Online registration for Chicago Park District’s popular six-week summer day camp begins next week. Fees are being raised to bring fees back up to pre-pandemic levels and to address rising operational costs, according to the district.

Brian Gladstein, a long-time Rogers Park resident with an extensive background in nonprofit management, will lead the organization into its 50th year.

“I loved being the alderman of the 35th Ward,” Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 36, said. “But you can’t turn down a job like this when you love Chicago as much as I do.”

After a career in city government spanning 35 years and five mayoral administrations, Rosa Escareño, general superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District, announced her resignation Wednesday.

Here are five excellent places to reflect and recharge. Just don’t everybody go at once.