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File #: 25-1189-1119    Name: Officially name Park No. 601 as Dunning Read Natural Area Park
Type: Action Item Status: New Business
File created: 10/15/2025 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 11/19/2025 Final action:
Title: REQUEST TO OFFICIALLY NAME PARK NO. 601 AS DUNNING READ NATURAL AREA PARK
Sponsors: Superintendent
Indexes: Park Renaming-Phase II, Park Naming
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
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TITLE

REQUEST TO OFFICIALLY NAME PARK NO. 601 AS
DUNNING READ NATURAL AREA PARK

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 Park No. 601 as Dunning Read Natural Area Park.

Proposed Park or feature: Park No. 601
Location: 7000 West Irving Park Road
Community Area: Dunning Community Area
Ward: 38
Proposed Name: Dunning Read Natural Area Park


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

Park No. 601
Park No. 601 is a 20-acre park in the Dunning community in northwest Chicago. This proposal to officially name Park No. 601 as Dunning Read Natural Area Park has the support of Alderman Nicholas Sposato; Illinois House Representative Lindsey LaPointe; Service Learning Coordinator of Wright College, Merry Mayer; the Park Advisory Council; and numerous community members. During the 45-day notice period required by the Code, the Chicago Park District received 36 comments; of which, 35 were in support of the proposed name and 1 was in opposition.


Proposed Name: Dunning Read Natural Area Park
The proposed name Dunning Read Natural Area Park acknowledges the history of the site and its location. The land at Park No. 601 was once part of a vast expanse of prairie land. Starting around 1854, the area was home to a series of public infirmaries, almshouse, and mental hospital facilities. The adjacent prop...

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