Legislation Details

File #: 26-1335-0610    Name: Approval to Name the Playground at 53rd and King Drive in Washington Park as Ronald "Ronnieman" Johnson Playground
Type: Action Item Status: New Business
File created: 5/15/2026 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 6/10/2026 Final action:
Title: REQUEST TO OFFICIALLY NAME THE UNNAMED PLAYGROUND AT 53RD STREET AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DRIVE WITHIN WASHINGTON (GEORGE) PARK TO RONALD "RONNIEMAN" JOHNSON PLAYGROUND
Sponsors: Office of General Superintendent
Indexes: Park Renaming-Phase II, Park Naming
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TITLE

REQUEST TO OFFICIALLY NAME THE UNNAMED PLAYGROUND AT 53RD STREET AND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DRIVE WITHIN WASHINGTON (GEORGE) PARK TO RONALD "RONNIEMAN" JOHNSON PLAYGROUND

BODY
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District

I. Recommendation

Pursuant to Chapter VII, Section E of the Code of the Chicago Park District (the "Code), the General Superintendent recommends that the Board of Commissioners (the "Board") approve the request to officially name the playground at 53rd Street and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive ("King Drive") within Washington (George) Park to Ronald "RonnieMan" Johnson Playground.

Proposed Park or Park Feature: Playground within Washington (George) Park
Location: 53rd St. and King Drive
Community Area: Washington Park
Ward: 20
Proposed Name: Ronald "RonnieMan" Johnson Playground


II. Authorization

The Board hereby authorizes and directs the General Superintendent or their designee to perform, or cause to be performed, all such acts, including, without limitation the placement of signs with the official name, and to execute and deliver any and all agreements, documents, instruments or certificates as the General Superintendent deems necessary, advisable or appropriate, to effectuate this official naming.


III. Explanation

Playground at 53rd St. and King Dr., Washington Park
Located in the Washington Park neighborhood, Washington Park totals 345.67 acres and contains numerous park features, including a lagoon, three playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, and baseball, football, soccer, cricket, and softball fields. The playground at 53rd Street and King Drive is located in the northwest side of the park.

Washington Park is one of Chicago's most significant historic landscapes. Originally considered the "western division"-a 345-acre portion of the enormous 1,055-acre South Park-it was connected to the park's "eastern division" via a grand boule...

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