Department of Environment, Culture and Special Events
If you have ever watched a movie in the park, taken part in a fishing or camping program or marveled at the beautiful artwork created by youth in our parks, then you are already familiar with some of the responsibilities of the Department of Environment, Culture and Special Events (ECSE). This department creates and implements the District's outdoor and environmental education programs, coordinates programs for the District’s twelve cultural centers, provides leadership in the development of after-school, youth employment and summer programs and produces special events and activities for the whole family. Some of the District's highlights from these creative minds include: Arts Partners in Residence
Arts organizations that use CPD space in exchange for providing free programming.
Camp Chicago
A comprehensive summer day camp program emphasizing fitness, creative exploration, and old-fashioned fun.
Concerts in the Parks
A long-standing Chicago tradition of live, outdoor, summer concerts at dozens of parks in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Community Gardening
Support for park patrons who want to grow edible plant in park gardens.
Cultural Center Initiative
Neighborhood centers for intensive study of arts disciplines that also serve as sites for performances, exhibitions, and partnerships with numerous cultural organizations.
Dance Card
Lunch-time dance parties for seniors held in neighborhood parks during late summer and fall.
Fish ’n Kids
An introduction to the art and science of fishing for youth throughout Chicago.
Harvest Garden
A three-season gardening program where kids plant, grow and harvest organic plants.
Hidden Treasures Tours
Bus, boat and bike tours of Chicago’s fascinating and beautiful parks.
Inferno Mobile Recording Studio
An opportunity for park patrons of all ages to write and record original poetry, songs, raps and more.
JazzCity Concert Series
A partnership with the Jazz Institute of Chicago that brings world-class jazz musicians to Chicago’s neighborhood parks.
Junior Citizens Banquet
A scholarship program that celebrates the contributions that teens make to our parks.
Junior Earth Team
An environmental apprenticeship program in neighborhood parks for teens.
Kraft Great Kids Initiative
A partnership with Kraft, Chicago Public Libraries and Afterschool Matters that brings additional resources to selected parks (Great Kids Centers) and extra activities to unstaffed parks during the summer (Kidsmobile).
Movies in the Parks
An immensely popular series of outdoor movies for families in neighborhood parks during the summer.
Nature Oasis Explorers
An after-school hiking and outdoor exploration program that takes place in parks during fall, winter and spring.
Nature Oasis Family Program
A series of hikes, overnighters and hands-on exploration of Chicago Park District Natural Areas.
Nature Oasis Outings
A field trip program where children explore natural habitats in neighborhood parks.
Outdoor Classroom
A series of field trips for students and staff development opportunities for teachers that encourages them to use our parks to teach environmental science.
Park Kids
An after-school enrichment program that provides youth with sports, arts, and time to play.
Park Voyagers
A partnership with Museums in the Park that brings museum educators to parks and neighborhood families to museums.
Polar Adventure Days
An indoor/outdoor family celebration of winter season that takes place at Northerly Island.
Pumpkins in the Park Fun Run
A 5K spectacle of costumed runners held in Lincoln Park during the Halloween season.
Sand-tastic
A three-day celebration of fun in the sun that features sand-sculpting exhibitions.
Senior Luncheon
A celebration for 2,000 seniors that recognizes the contributions that seniors make to our parks.
Summer Dance on the Move
An expansion to neighborhood parks of the popular downtown Summer Dance program that pairs dance instruction with live music for dancing under the stars.
Teen Arts Expo
An opportunity to showcase the cultural talents of teens and inform them about further opportunities.
Theater on the Lake
Chicago’s premiere professional theater festival: Eight plays in eight weeks presented during the summer at the historic lakefront pavilion.
TRACE (Teens Reimagining Art, Community and Environment)
A program that uses the arts to cultivate and encourage civic engagement towards the environment among youth at local parks.
Under Illinois Skies
An opportunity for youth to camp for three days in some of region’s fascinating wilderness areas.
Urban Campers
An opportunity for youth to camp overnight in their parks while learning camp crafts and practicing stewardship.
Words @ Play
A partnership with the Chicago Children’s Humanities Festival that teaches children to write and perform poetry.