To: The Chicago Park District and the 40th Ward From: [Your Name]

Subject: Petition to provide a permanent, accessible bathroom for visitors and neighbors of Winnemac Park

Dear Chicago Park District Officials [name] and 40th Ward Alder Andre Vasquez:

We, the members of the Winnemac Park Advisory Council (WPAC), along with numerous park visitors, athletes, and Chicago residents, request that both the Park District and the 40th Ward office 1) acknowledge the need and 2) make a commitment to supporting a permanent restroom solution that is accessible to all during park hours. We need and deserve modern, accessible facilities, especially during peak hours–daytime and evening–when the park experiences maximum usage.

Winnemac Park has roughly 40 acres and houses two public schools, Jorndt Stadium, a soccer field, five baseball fields, a tennis court, a tennis/pickleball court, a playground, a children’s garden, and 3+ acres of natural areas with popular walking paths. The importance of open public restrooms cannot be emphasized enough. Winnemac hosts the robust Welles Park Parents Association youth baseball league and the Chicago Metropolitan Baseball Association, along with other organized sports such as adult softball and kickball, from spring through fall; performances by acting companies and cultural groups; outdoor film screenings; and activities such as storytimes and yoga classes–to name only some of the offerings. We have an annual Winnemac Fourth for All July 4 event, which has attendance in the thousands. Our prairies attract birdwatchers and nature lovers, and provide organized nature walks and regular volunteer work events. During warm weather, we see birthday parties, clothing exchange gatherings, professional photographers and their clients, and many people who are simply reading, talking, sunbathing, or otherwise relaxing.

It is long past time for Winnemac Park to have permanent, accessible bathroom facilities that are ADA compliant, with amenities such as running water and soap, which should be open to everyone, including children, pregnant mothers, students enjoying the park after school, senior citizens, teams practicing and competing, and any other park patrons. Without bathroom facilities, there tend to be two unacceptable options: the nature areas or nearby alleys. This is simply unacceptable, and again, has gone on far too long.

As of fall 2026, research is being done by WPAC to learn more about the various options for additional bathroom facilities in the park. They range from partnering with JC Decaux for a self-cleaning toilet unit, maintained by JC Decaux, that is installed with public funds or a mixture of private/public funds; to other companies’ (e.g., Urben Blu, Portoloo, Throne) stand-alone units that may or may not need utility hookups; to simply increasing the number of port-o-potties to at least four (4) and keeping them maintained throughout the year. Use of the Jorndt Stadium bathrooms appears to be mired in issues over access and maintenance, and does not seem to be a viable option for the long-term, if ever. WPAC, as representatives of the community and stewards of the park, wants to be actively involved in the process around choosing and installing bathroom unit(s) and look forward to collaborating with both the Park District and Alder Vasquez. We offer the signatures on this petition as evidence of community and visitor support for restrooms in Winnemac Park as well.

The availability of restrooms is not just about convenience; it's about safety, sanitation, dignity, health, and community well-being. We urge the Chicago Park District and the 40th Ward to prioritize this request and prioritize the installation of adequate and accessible bathroom facilities – a need that has been given lip service and not much else for the nearly 30 years since the park was restructured.

Sincerely,
The Winnemac Park Advisory Council