Volunteers-in-parks awards
CONGRATS TO OUR 2023 WINNERS!
Read about them here.
Read about them here.
For over 20 years, Friends of the Parks has honored Park Advisory Councils (PACs) and other groups and individuals that have gone above and beyond in making Chicago’s parks great places—through stewardship, advocacy, coordinating park-centric activities for the community, and other kinds of volunteerism. These may be folks who are actively involved with Friends of the Parks. Or they may be people we don’t know yet, but really should!
That's where you come in. Who do you see going above and beyond to care for a park? What projects have captured your imagination? What groups are influencing decision makers to ensure all parks work for all Chicagoans? For inspiration, check out our VIPs from recent years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.
That's where you come in. Who do you see going above and beyond to care for a park? What projects have captured your imagination? What groups are influencing decision makers to ensure all parks work for all Chicagoans? For inspiration, check out our VIPs from recent years: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018.
HOw to Nominate
There are so many ways to support our parks! That's why we have multiple categories to choose from--see below. For more guidance, please see our nomination form, available in .pdf and .doc format. You may also submit via this Google form.
Your nomination needs to address these questions. We ask for at least one, robust paragraph per question.
These are the nomination categories.
Your nomination needs to address these questions. We ask for at least one, robust paragraph per question.
- What has the nominee contributed to the park and community?
- How has the nominee’s contribution benefited the park and community?
- Why do you feel the nominee exemplifies the VIP award category you chose?
- How would you describe the nominee’s most valuable characteristic(s)?
These are the nomination categories.
- Stewardship Award
Awarded to individuals who work to beautify & improve the natural assets in parks. - Advocacy Award
Awarded to groups/individuals that work to better their park through community organizing and public advocacy, by committing their voice and time to addressing a park issue or concern. - Park Advisory Council Award
Awarded to advisory councils who have made a significant contribution to their park and local community. - Individual Volunteer Award
Awarded to individuals who volunteer in their parks other than in a stewardship capacity. - Community Group Award
Awarded to community groups or organizations that have made a significant contribution to their park and local community. - Outstanding Park District Employee Awarded to individuals whose commitment to their job and their park greatly benefits the local and Chicago community.
- “Smoky Sakurada” Friends of Friends Awarded to individual volunteers who support FOTP staff in their mission.