Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Park District Bring Air Conditioning Improvements to Chicago Parks in Most Heat-Vulnerable Neighborhoods

CHICAGO— Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Park District announced the launch of the first phase of cooling enhancements at 42 park sites, delivering $1 million in targeted park investments to community areas facing the greatest health risks during extreme heat events.

The project addresses historic disinvestment and furthers the Park District’s commitment to building inclusive community spaces through equitable infrastructure improvements with critical support from Mayor Johnson’s historic $45 million allocation of TIF surplus to the Chicago Park District in 2026.  

“For too long, communities that have faced the greatest impacts of extreme heat have also borne the weight of underinvestment in the resources needed to keep neighbors safe,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.“This $1 million investment in cooling improvements builds on our commitment to deliver climate resilience, public health, and equity across Chicago.

By strengthening our neighborhood parks, we are ensuring that every resident—regardless of their ZIP code—has access to safe, welcoming spaces to cool off during dangerous heat events.”

The pilot initiative prioritizes investments in air conditioning improvements based on the results from the Chicago Heat Vulnerability Index , developed by Northwestern University's Buffett Institute for Global Affairs through the Defusing Disasters Working Group which incorporates research expertise from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the City of Chicago.  

“Public health is a core commitment for the Chicago Park District.

These TIF surplus investments in air conditioning will help address systemic health inequities and transform vulnerable neighborhoods by providing reliable, climate-resilient, and accessible public cooling spaces when and where they are needed the most,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO, Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “After record high-heat, flooding, and poor air quality, it’s imperative that we build more locally resilient neighborhood parks by upgrading vulnerable park infrastructure in the hardest-hit communities and using equity-focused research to connect those most impacted by extreme weather-related events to safe and comfortable public spaces to seek relief from the weather.” 

The Heat Vulnerability Index mapping tool enabled the Park District to identify 42 priority sites in heat-vulnerable communities for dedicated cooling investments. The Park District prioritized 19 parks in community areas designated as “Most Vulnerable” and 21 parks in “Vulnerable” neighborhoods, utilizing data-driven analysis. 

Of the total, 20 sites will be equipped with upgraded air conditioning by the end of summer 2026, and an additional 10 parks will be complete by years end. Designs for 12 larger capital projects are underway and will include cooling infrastructure, raising the total count of upgraded cooling sites to 42 upon completion. 

“Extreme heat is one of the most pressing climate challenges facing our city, and we must continue investing in solutions that protect residents and strengthen community resilience,” said Angela Tovar, Chief Sustainability Officer and Department of Environment Commissioner. “With data-driven tools like the Heat Vulnerability Index, we can better understand where support is needed most and direct resources to neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by extreme weather.

These cooling improvements represent an important step toward building a healthier, more climate-resilient Chicago for all residents.”

Dangerously high temperatures pose a major public health emergency for residents across Chicago.

By strategically investing in cooling improvements, the Chicago Park District is helping ensure residents have safe, welcoming spaces to seek relief from the heat. 

The Park District offers a variety of options to stay cool citywide that complement the City of Chicago’s broader cooling resources.

At the Park District, residents enjoy access to 22 lakefront beaches, and one inland beach at Humboldt Park, 77 neighborhood indoor and outdoor pools, and more than 240 park-based water spray features.

These features, and a canopy of over 250,000 trees that provides shade and helps mitigate flooding, also ensure residents have safe, comfortable places to seek refuge from extreme heat.

During the pilot program, the Park District will be testing innovative, cost-effective cooling technologies and equipment for consideration in future expansion projects.