Community Outreach and Advocacy
Community residents make a real difference in their parks everyday, whether they are
volunteering with school children, working in the park garden or planning a fundraiser
to improve activities or facilities in the parks – residents can and do make a difference.
Friends of the Parks has been working with community residents for thirty years to
improve their parks, through the model of the park advisory council. Park advisory
councils are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about their park. Park
advisory councils work with the park supervisor or other staff in the Chicago Park
District to make long and short term plans, plan park events and guide the park district
in choosing activities and events that best suit the neighborhood park.
To learn more about what an advisory council is and how to start an advisory council
in your neighborhood - download our Advisory Council Guidebook.
Friends of the Parks is available to assist your park council in establishing itself.
If you have any questions please call our office at 312-857-2757.
