Policy
Principles of Friends of the Parks
Friends of the Parks supports Park District and City policies that achieve these goals:
1) Land Policies
1) Land Policies
- Preserve existing park lands.
- Insure only public use of parks – no private or public encroachment.
- Add new parkland wherever and whenever practicable, especially in neighborhoods with the greatest need and at the lakefront.
- Remove inappropriate park encroachments such as parking lots, unnecessary roadways, signs, etc.
- Restore historic landscapes, historic boulevard system and park facilities.
- Comply with the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance.
- Maintain the “Forever Open, Clear, and Free” Lakefront park system.
- Preserve Lakeshore Drive as a boulevard only.
- Discourage the construction of additional buildings on lakefront parkland except for public recreational uses that are defined as “accessory buildings”.
- Work to complete the lakefront park system by constructing the “last four miles” of parks, two miles on the north from Hollywood to Evanston and 2 miles on the south side from 71st Street to the Indiana border.
- Encourage water based recreational activities in lakefront parks.
- Partner with the Chicago Park District to increase responsiveness to the public.
- Support the hiring of park and forest preserve personnel with degrees and/or experience in the field of parks, recreation and resource management.
- Adhere to the legal requirements for open meetings and an open bid process.
- Promote the efficient and equitable spending of tax dollars in all Chicago neighborhoods.
- Support the broadening of the tax base for the museums in the parks as well as for the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Brookfield Zoo.
- Urge the appointment of Park District Board members who have expertise in and are committed to Chicago parks.
- Establish pro-active programs for park landscaping.
- Support the elimination of environmentally damaging practices.
- Implement comprehensive energy conservation program.
- Encourage Audubon certification for all Park District and Forest Preserve golf courses.
- Expand natural area plantings throughout the parks.
- Support the adoption of “green building” standards for all new building construction.
- Promote clean water practices in lakefront harbors, beaches and in rivers and lagoons.
- Encourage the restoration of savannas, woodlands and prairies in the forest preserves.
- Provide opportunities for active recreation for the health and wellness of all citizens.
- Expand programs to engage children in enjoying nature and the outdoors.
- Promote community determination of local park needs in park planning.
- Increase use of field houses during the day and night, as well as on weekends.
- Develop recreation programs for children, teens, adults and seniors.
