Expand / Collapse search
☰

Chicago Park District moves camps indoors due to dangerous air quality

By
Published  June 28, 2023 7:12pm CDT
Chicago Park District
FOX 32 Chicago

Pediatricians urge parents to monitor childrens symptoms amid Chicagos smoke-filled skies

The Chicago Park District has brought its campers indoors because of the dangerous air quality across the city.

CHICAGO - For the second day in a row, smoke continued to drift over Chicago Wednesday as a result of Canadian wildfires.

Pediatricians are urging parents to pay close attention to your child's symptoms.

"I think the big thing is for that sensitive group that already has some sort of respiratory disease, like asthma, making sure that you are following your asthma action plan," said Anne Geistkemper, neonatal pediatric clinical manager of respiratory care, RUSH University Medical Center.

Common symptoms caused by poor air quality may include itchy and watery eyes, wheezing and a scratchy throat, but if you notice extreme changes to your child's behavior or difficulty breathing – contact your healthcare provider.

"We really want to try to refrain from having children outdoors as much as possible," said Geistkemper.

The Chicago Park District heeded the warnings of medical professionals Wednesday – moving more than 26,000 kids enrolled in summer camps citywide indoors where possible.

At the brand new Brighton Park Community Campus near 48th and Western, campers took up games, arts and crafts, and sports inside.  

"I think the first thing to be aware of is that the EPA is categorizing children as a sensitive category," said Geistkemper.

The park district followed similar inclement weather protocols Tuesday.

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 ON YOUTUBE

Chicago's air quality, on Wednesday, was still considered "very unhealthy," according to AirNow.gov.

"Those that might have respiratory disease already, such as asthma or other lung diseases, those are going to be especially sensitive to this poor air quality," said Geistkemper. "Those are the kiddos we want to make sure we keep a closer eye on, keeping focus of them so we can really watch for any signs or symptoms of distress that may occur."

At Navy Pier, the hazardous air didn't keep families away, but it did force summertime staples to pivot.

Pixar Putt was closed for the day, while the 80s-themed Summer Night Market was moved indoors. 

Despite the smog, however, Wednesday night fireworks went off – uninterrupted.

With unhealthy haze expected again Thursday, families without access to safely ventilated indoor spaces can make use of public libraries, senior centers and park district facilities.

The city operates six community service centers that are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for Garfield Center, which is open 24 hours a day:

  • Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th Street  
  • Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (24 Hours) 
  • King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove  
  • North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.  
  • South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.  
  • Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave.