Events

Our Signature Events include: Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration, Volunteer Reception, Parks Ball, Earth Day Parks Clean Up, The L.A.T.E Ride, National Public Lands Day and Fall Frolic.  These events are open to the public. 

Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration – At this luncheon meeting we highlight our years’ work and layout our goals for the upcoming year.  We also honor outstanding organizations, corporations, community groups and individuals for their significant contributions to our parks and forest preserves. 

Volunteer Reception – At this reception we honor individuals and groups whose efforts to improve their local park or forest preserve has made an impact on the community.

Earth Day – At Friends of the Parks, we believe that every day should be Earth Day.  To encourage this we kick off the Spring with a city wide parks clean up and Earth Day Celebration.  Please join us in this massive stewardship effort!

Parks Ball – Friends of the Parks hosts its annual black tie gala every
May.  The elegant evening features: cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing. 

The L.A.T.E. Ride – Support Friends of the Parks by joining up to 10,000 bicyclists on Saturday night/Sunday morning in mid-July.  Enjoy a 25-mile ride through Chicago’s neighborhoods and along the lakefront. Cycle past skyscrapers, wave to onlookers, and watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan. Plus, enjoy tons of snacks at two rest stops and breakfast back at Buckingham Fountain.

National Public Lands Day - Show your pride in our wonderful open spaces by helping care for them.  Come out to beautify & clean up our parks and forest preserves the third Saturday in September.

Fall Frolic - Spend a morning enjoying the sounds of nature as you bike 37 miles through the North Branch Trail of the Cook County Forest Preserves with other members and supporters of Friends of the Parks.  (A shorter trip will also be provided.)