Partnership Between Parkways Foundation and Lollapalooza Brings More Than Music to Ones Ears
Portion of Festival Revenues Invested in Numerous Chicago Parks and Programs
Release Date: 07/12/07
The Chicago Park District and its philanthropic partner, the Parkways Foundation, are directing funds from the world-renowned Lollapalooza music festival to launch new program initiatives and accelerate capital projects.
This summer, the Parkways Foundation presents the first-ever GALApalooza on Thursday, Aug. 2 at 6 p.m. at the Petrillo Band Shell. The event is followed by the three-day Lollapalooza festival, Aug. 3-5, at Grant Park. Lollapalooza is a civic partnership between the Parkways Foundation, the Chicago Park District, and C3 Presents.
The Chicago Park District and the Parkways Foundation first brought Lollapalooza to Chicago in 2004. This summer marks the beginning of a 5 year/$5 million contract with the festival.
“The Parkways Foundation ensures that Lollapalooza benefits Chicago’s neighborhood parks,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Timothy J. Mitchell. “Parkways Foundation receives a portion of the gross revenues from the festival and invests those funds into capital and programmatic Park District programs. This collaboration is based on the understanding that working together builds a better Chicago.”
Since 1994, Parkways Foundation has impacted Chicago’s neighborhood parks through raising private funds for capital projects and programs that enrich the lives of children and families. In addition to numerous projects in Grant Park, Parkways has also invested Lollapalooza proceeds into the following projects in Chicago’s parks:
Signature Playground in Washington Park, 5531 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
The playground will have elements that reflect the legacy of the neighborhood and incorporate design input from children. The playground is scheduled to be built this year and will be an environment without barriers for children with disabilities.
Inferno Mobile Recording Studio
This studio program provides park youth with the opportunity to write and record original poetry, songs, raps and more. Parkways is committed to annually funding this program and expanding outreach efforts.
AileyCamp Chicago
This dance program for is for children ages 11-14. The camp focuses on building self-esteem and teaching self-expression through dance, poetry and music. Parkways funds this program on an annual basis.
McKinley Park Soccer Field, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
This will be a new state-of-the-art artificial turf soccer field. The Park District is working to address the rapidly growing needs for new turf fields as the requests for field time outnumber the fields that currently exist. The new field will be fully equipped with lights, risers, and the best turf the industry offers, making it the ultimate destination in the neighborhood and beyond.
Community Gardens Initiative
Parkways will establish a grant program for ornamental and edible community gardens registered with the Park District. Community groups may apply for funding for materials to enhance their gardens. The purpose of this program is to build community ownership of Chicago parks, strengthen community leadership and sense of neighborhood, and facilitate a higher degree of beautification and maintenance of the Chicago parks through community participation.
Audio Walking Tours in Historic Parks
The Parkways board will launch this program later this year. In the first year, a podcast of a walking tour of a historic park will be available for download on the Park District and Parkways websites. Following the anticipated success of the pilot program, Parkways hopes to find additional funding to expand the program.
Seed Funding for New Playground in Haas Park, 2402 N. Washtenaw Ave.
The Logan Square community has the least amount of open park space than any other in Chicago. The Chicago Park District is committed to a plan for expanding open space in Haas Park. Parkways recognizes the importance of this project and is committed to funding a new playground in the park.
Day Camp Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are geared towards families who can’t afford summer camp. Additionally, Parkways funds an expanded Tennis Camp, which is offered as an admission-free program.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529