Rosa Escareno (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

       The Chicago Park District Board approved Wednesday a more than $500 million budget, which includes funding to establish a new Office of Protection and Accountability where allegations of discrimination, harassment and abuse will be investigated.

       The $510.9 million budget will bring back all programs and services affected by the pandemic, the Park District said in a news release Wednesday.

       The budget is roughly a 6% increase from the 2021 operating budget, which was reduced because programming was limited by the COVID-19 pandemic.

       The budget includes a property tax increase totaling $4.3 million, which would translate to about $4 in additional taxes for the average homeowner, the Park District said.

       It’s the fifth property tax increase in 16 years, according to the Park District.

       The Office of Prevention and Accountability comes in the wake of criticism of the district’s response to reports of widespread abuse among lifeguards, first reported by WBEZ.

       “Ensuring a safe and respectful work environment for our employees is a top priority of the Chicago Park District,” interim General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escare？o said in the news release. “We are facing a critical moment at the Park District and we must rise to the occasion to enact real change.”

       Escare？o took on the top job at the agency in October, after former Superintendent and CEO Michael Kelly was forced to resign.

       Last month, Park District commissioners released the results of an independent investigation that detailed the agency’s mishandling of the lifeguard sexual abuse claims. Following the release of the report Nov. 2, Escare？o said she had fired three high-level Park District managers. Avis LaVelle also announced her resignation as park board president shortly after the board discussed next year’s budget.

       On Wednesday, former Chicago Parks lifeguard supervisor Mauricio Ramirez was charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a second victim.

       “The Office of Prevention and Accountability will ensure that the Chicago Park District meets its commitment to provide an equitable, inclusive, safe and respectful recreation and work environment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, workplace violence, abuse and neglect of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, and retaliation,” Wednesday’s news release said.

       The budget includes $617,139 for five positions for the new office.

       The office will also work with partners to provide support services for victims, the Park District said.

       The new office will be required to report regularly to the Park District Board and to the public, according to the agency.

       The Park District said it is allocating $126 million to programming, including an expansion of recreation for youth and adults with special needs.

       It is also expanding programs including wrestling and youth soccer.

       The Park District is launching a multiyear Community Curatorial Fellowship in which teens work with professional artists to create murals. Recently created teen centers will offer youth a place to gather and interact at 10 parks around Chicago, the district said.

       Program fees will remain the same in the coming year and the district is offering more than $2.8 million in financial assistance.

       “No child will be excluded from programming due to a family’s inability to pay,” the district said.

       The budget also includes funding for improvements at 18 cultural centers, and renovations at Garfield Park, the district’s new headquarters in Brighton Park and field house improvements at Revere, Avondale, Blackhawk, Chopin, West Pullman and Hermosa parks.

       The Chicago Park District’s 2022 budget can be viewed online.

       scasanova@chicagotribune.com

       tsoglin@chicagotribune.com

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