Park Advisory Councils
Friends of the Parks’ (FOTP) Park Advisory Councils (PACs) are neighborhood-led groups that serve as the eyes, ears, and voice of their local park. Made up of neighbors, park users, and community advocates, PACs work to ensure that parks remain vibrant, welcoming, and at the heart of Chicago’s communities.
From organizing community events to shaping park improvements, PACs keep parks thriving year-round with activities for children, families, and adults. Today, Chicago has nearly 200 active PACs, each with its own style and focus, but all united by a commitment to protect and enhance their parks.
What PACs Do
PACs play many roles in their communities, including:
Advocating for park programs and improvements
Fundraising for playgrounds, gardens, and amenities
Hosting events like Movies in the Park, farmers markets, and festivals
Organizing clean-ups, tree plantings, and beautification projects
Working with aldermen, state representatives, and neighbors
Shaping the design of new parks and playgrounds
Protecting parks from land loss and misuse
Building community through meetings, planning sessions, and mentorship
A History Rooted in Equity
FOTP helped launch the PAC system in the late 1970s after a series of investigations exposed inequities in Chicago’s parks. Studies and lawsuits revealed that parks in Black and Latino neighborhoods were consistently underfunded and neglected.
In response, FOTP organized more than 30 PACs in 1980 to ensure residents had a voice in how new federal park dollars were spent. By 1983, a U.S. Justice Department consent decree required 65% of capital improvements for minority communities. The PAC system grew exponentially, with over 125 by 1987, earning FOTP the Beatrice Foundation Award of Excellence.
PACs Today
The PAC system is now a cornerstone of community-driven park advocacy in Chicago. FOTP continues to support and strengthen PACs through training, technical assistance, and programming that build leadership and capacity.
PAC members remain vital advocates—protecting neighborhood green spaces, amplifying community voices, and ensuring every Chicagoan has access to safe, active, and well-loved parks.
Fiscal Sponsorship
FOTP’s fiscal sponsorship program helps Park Advisory Councils (PACs) and community groups manage donations and grants under our nonprofit umbrella.
Fiscal sponsorship means your group can accept tax-deductible contributions, access funding opportunities, and receive administrative and financial support without needing to form its own 501(c)(3).
By partnering with FOTP, you can focus on what matters most: bringing your park project, environmental initiative, or community program to life. Together, we make Chicago’s parks stronger, more equitable, and more vibrant for everyone.