By: Ashmar Mandou

Chicago Park District General Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer Rosa Escareño announced her resignation on Wednesday. Escareño tendered her resignation after fulfilling the goals she laid out for the park district and after more than 35 years of public service. “My decision to leave at this time was done with much care and consideration for my District team colleagues and with the utmost regard for the Chicagoans whom I vowed to serve and support, especially the youth, families, and seniors who rely on us daily,” said Escareño. Escareño noted that she had worked under five mayoral administrations — those of mayors Eugene Sawyer, Richard M. Daley, Rahm Emanuel, Lori Lightfoot, and Brandon Johnson. She served four years as the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection immediately before taking over at the Park District. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Superintendent Escareño. A lifelong public servant and someone who truly believes that public parks should be for the people of Chicago, Rosa has done a tremendous job of expanding opportunities for young people in our Park District and modernizing our city’s parks. Her work around sustainability, digital connectivity, and park amenities has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans, particularly our young people. Her vision, outlined in the District’s strategic plan, will set a solid foundation for the next generation of leadership to continue to build an inclusive Park District that all of the residents of Chicago can enjoy for generations to come,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. Escareño was appointed interim Park District CEO in October 2021, and was appointed to the post permanently in May 2022.