The city of Markham took legal steps on Tuesday by filing for a temporary restraining order after Markham Park District Executive Director Quintina Brown arranged for a helicopter to land on public property for her daughter’s prom photoshoot.
A helicopter from the tour company Summer Skyz landed at Roesner Park in Markham, where the headquarters of the Markham Park District is situated, on the evening of May 8, according to the court filing.
The city’s filing stated that the helicopter “landed near active basketball courts, causing children to flee the area.”
This helicopter was there so that Quintina Brown’s daughter, Qua Myra Brown, could have a prom photoshoot, as noted in the filing. A document from the helicopter company indicated that the estimated cost for this event was $800.
Quintina Brown “unilaterally” approved this helicopter landing, as mentioned in the filing. A letter regarding this approval was included as an exhibit and printed on Park District letterhead with Brown’s signature.
“Please allow this letter to confirm that Qua Myra Brown has been approved to allow Summer Skyz to conduct a prom photo at our location on May 8, 2026, at 7:00pm,” stated the letter. “We understand that this will involve a helicopter being on the premises.”
Markham police responded and issued citations to both Quintina Brown and the helicopter pilot for disorderly conduct and unauthorized landing on public property, according to the filing.
The police “informed Brown that the Park District could not authorize such a landing in the manner attempted,” and it was noted that approval was not obtained from either the Police Department or city officials nor from the park board.
“The recent actions taken just kind of show that there’s a lack of, you know, there’s unilateral action being taken that’s not necessarily in the best interests of Markham residents,” remarked Kelly Krauchun, an attorney representing the city.
This filing is part of an ongoing legal conflict between Markham and its Park District. Last October, Markham sued the Park District over claims of mismanagement of funds and breaching a 2012 intergovernmental agreement. According to this agreement, control over managing Park District assets was supposed to shift to City Hall.
“We are seeking relief from circuit court to make a determination and essentially compel the Park District to enforce terms agreed upon by both parties back in 2012,” explained Krauchun.
The city pointed out in Tuesday’s filing that this helicopter incident demonstrated an overreach of authority and requested that court prohibit any similar actions by Park District officials.
“Pending adjudication, we ask that any officer or employee of Parks be enjoined from authorizing unusual uses of park property-especially those posing material safety risks-without documented Board action complying with applicable law and IGA,” noted their request.
The city also asked for restrictions against any aviation activity or other “comparable hazardous activities” on park grounds unless all necessary city approvals and permits required by ordinance are secured first.
“The Park District has communicated with us agreeing not to allow helicopters within parks,” shared attorney Adam Simon who represents them in these proceedings.
Neither Brown nor Mayor Roger Agpawa have responded yet regarding requests for comments about this situation.
A hearing related to this lawsuit is set for 10 a. m. Monday before Judge David B. Atkins at Richard J. Daley Center; however, Krauchun anticipated that ruling on their motion for restraining order might take longer than expected.
elewis@chicagotribune. com
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