Photo Of A Chicago Park District Lifeguard Chair. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
Reporting David Roe
CHICAGO (WBBM) – Visitors to Chicago’s public parks could soon see advertisements on such things as lifeguard stands, garbage cans and tennis courts.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s David Roe Reports
Advertising in parks is being considered as the Chicago Park District looks for ways to close a $22 million deficit in next year’s budget.
The Chicago Tribune reports that corporate sponsorships could earn the Chicago Park District $850,000.
Park District CEO Steve Hughes says management wants the advertising to be tasteful and not intrude on anybody’s park experience.
Other measures being considered to take up the budgetary slack include a 1 percent increase in program fees and a 3 percent increase in harbor fees.
The Chicago Park District isn’t the only public body looking for non-traditional revenue.
The Chicago Transit Authority is looking for corporate sponsors.
The agency said this week it is preparing to hire a consultant who will help it determine which CTA assets have value and aggressively market them.
