Will Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell resignation improve local parks?

As the new "operators" of the Taste of Chicago which runs from June 24 to July 3, the Chicago Park District (CPD) will be minus Tim Mitchell as its leader. Mitchell submitted his resignation as superintendent of CPD on May 31, effective mid-June. This move is amid a multiple month investigation by the Better Government Assoc. (BGA) and Fox Chicago News (FOX).

While in his position, Mitchell added a number of new parks to CPD along with 1,000 acres of new park land. However, Mitchell's seven years on the job have a large cloud over them due to internal management issues.  Shawn Schmidt, Mitchell's chief of staff departed from his position a week earlier . BGA and FOX questioned Park District credit card charges for which tax payers pay. The charges were for travel expenses including airline upgrades, meals at expensive restaurants and accommodations in luxury hotels.

Prior to those findings there were personnel issues. A top manager was hired after being fired by the city for crashing his city-leased car while drunk. And then there was the contract awarded to a fitness instructor who was living with the park District supervisor who signed off on the deal.

As Andy Shaw, BGA's  Executive Director stated, "It took a long time for this Park Board to understand they had a problem. I think the Eamanuel administration reminded them of that problem and now it looks like they're doing the right thing."

The Friends of the Park (FOTP) state, "We believe the Chicago Park District and the city would benefit by having a general superintendent with a professional background and experience in parks and recreation.  The Chicago Park District should be transformed to a public agency that is transparent and clear in all its financial dealings and decisions, is devoid of political influence and has defined measurements of effectiveness with up-to-date data from both the central administration and local park levels.

"The Park District should have an independent inspector who regularly completes audits of departments and of individual parks.  Finally, the Park District should change direction and embrace community involvement.  There has been an unfortunate tension in recent years between park advisory councils and the central administration that has resulted in wasted tax dollars and missed opportunities for funding for additional programs and community partnering."

Community members involved in local parks certainly hope that this will cut through to local issues.

For more information: FOX ; Friends of the Park ; Wicker Park