>> After a career spanning more than 30 years and 5 mayoral administration that city Hall, Chicago Park district leader at all, is getting is stepping down from public life.

It's going announce her resignation from the Park district yesterday and she's the latest city leader in recent weeks for Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration to resign.

And joining us now is superintendent Tulsa is getting a thank you so much.

It's so funny that are both matching in pink to fly different shades of pink.

Whether we only look fabulous.

So I need to ask, as we know, as I just mentioned, your work spans all the way back to the 90's.

You served more than 3 years now as Park District superintendent.

>> What made you decide that this was a time to step down?

>> Well, you know, first of I am so privileged to be given the opportunity to serve Chicagoans every day in the city that I love.

But it's the right time because when I came because of the district, I said very clear goals for myself.

And I have reached the goals that I set for myself.

There's so much more work to do to improve the city and to improve the district.

But I feel that this is the right time as they hit the goals that I have sat.

We'll talk about those goals, but I first want to ask at an event earlier this month, Mayor Mayor Johnson said he should have clean house faster.

And if you with us, you just got to go.

3 members of the Mayor Johnson's cabinet have since resigned that the mayor's comments face factor.

Anything with your decision to step down?

Not at all.

You know, again, this has been about serving the public.

you know, I've always been very clear about my intentions.

so no, not at all.

This is something that has been a been a conversation for way before that.

And you talked about your accomplishments in your mission.

You know, what would you say have been your top accomplishments?

Well, number one, you know, when I was asked to come to the district I was facing there a big crisis with the district that probably the largest harassment and misconduct matter to face the district.

I came in with a very clear purpose.

And also while I was asked to stay shortly after I started, there is an interim I also facing the reopening of COVID pandemic.

I know this seems like so long ago, really getting all services across 600 parks anymore.

The third-largest looking back at that.

How challenging was that?

I don't even remember because it was such a challenging time.

So we're dealing with this.

You know, crisis is making sure that building and restoring trust.

But building a district that really ensure safety and holds people accountable while at the same time ramping up re opening the park's bringing back 3,000 workers and making sure that the residents have all the services that they need after being closed.

So, you know, those that first year was incredible.

But I you know, I've put safeguards in place.

We have the Office of Prevention and Accountability Holding people accountable and really building this a safety net for our patrons, our residents and our staff, but then also reopening.

We're back to pre-pandemic levels.

And my 3rd goal was really to set the district on a path towards the future.

Just launching a strategic plan.

And now that's fully implement fully implemented will fully started.

And so hopefully the next person can carry that And you also been very outspoken about providing work opportunities for youth.

Why was that so important for you?

Well, again, I don't know if people realize but were 3,000 strong throughout the year and then we're through 3700 opportunities that we just opened up the application for young people to come work at the district throughout the summer.

So when you a summer day camp or when you see you know, out in the parks, helping us to manicure our trees and our gardens.

He said 3700 young people that we hire right now.

We're hiring and that we get them on board every year.

And so that really is one of my proudest moments in in being part of young people's lives.

I was a park.

It and it brings me great pleasure to know that will building careers for these young people their teenage son.

You yourself are I do.

I He's 18 year-old he thinks is an adult now.

But it made these critical years for young people we are the largest agency employee news in the And so we are happy to contribute something I can imagine you're proud Absolutely Nazanin.

I want to talk about the use of public parks for large events and festivals like Riot Fest has been an ongoing debate.

There's been some changes in an effort to make the permitting permitting at process more transparent.

Do you think those changes school far enough?

serving public week have to constantly revisit our right now are in initiatives.

But I think we've come a long way.

We've definitely included more community participation.

And I know that many festivals are contributing to actually our ability to run a district.

Those revenues school right back into service delivery for the people that we serve.

What advice would you give to the next superintendent?

You know, I think what it was interesting, I came in with a mission of and what I'm walking away is such a love for the parks.

They're going to immediately fallen love with this organization.

Our purpose to be incur of community and to really be the safety net and the beauty of the city when the city was recently announced as being the most beautiful city in in the world, what they actually initially flag is all the beauty around that, which is our green space and beautiful programs, you know, looking back at your career and then being appointed to sea walls of the Chicago Park district.

Did you ever think that you are going to be in charge of such a now ration?

Well, it has do with parks in in being a part kid myself.

>> I would have never imagined an immigrant kid coming into this country.

I'm Dina has the neck in the city, I would have never imagined that I would have this opportunity.

That's why it brings me such joy.

I'm so proud of my team working with my board to really make sure that we're doing everything to And before we had a only have a couple seconds.

But I have to ask what's next for you for me?

I a island some time off.

My son and I need to spend time with my family and my son is about to graduate high school in because of the college.

So yes, so we're getting ready