Thanks to today’s snow storm, Chicagoans can join us at Northerly Island tomorrow, Feb. 27 for snow trekking around the 91-acre peninsula on snow shoes or cross country skis.
Drop off your holiday trees from Sat., Jan. 5 - Fri., Jan. 18 to be chipped and turned into mulch. Free mulch will be available to residents for pick up beginning Fri., Jan. 11 while supplies last.
The Chicago Park District administrative offices and facilities, except for McFetridge Sports Center and seven outdoor ice rinks, will be closed for two days adjacent to the holidays.
All eight ice rinks operated by the Chicago Park District will be closed Christmas Day, Tues., Dec. 25. Outdoor Ice rinks will be open Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Help donate non-perishable food items to Chicago Park District’s food drive, benefiting the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) from Wed., Nov. 28 – Thurs., Dec. 13 at select park locations(see list of location below) and help feed more than 14,000 meals to families in need across the city!
Now that the weather has taken a more seasonable turn, away from near-record high temperatures, the Chicago Park District’s ice skating rinks are opening to the public.
Enjoy the holiday season with the Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Drive, and the popular Winter Flower and Train Show beginning on Saturday, November 24 and runs through Sunday, January 6, 2013. Admission is free and the conservatory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Chicago Park District will be conducting an erosion control project and volunteer Marram grass planting at Loyola Park, 1230 W. Greenleaf Ave., on Saturday, November 10 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Monday, November 12 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The Marram grass being planted at this site will help stabilize the sand with the help of its deep root system and prevent it from depositing on nearby parkland.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory as one of 10 recipients of this year’s National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community, the National Medal celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities. The National Medal will be presented at a celebration in Washington, D.C. on November 14.
Polar Adventure Days offer families the opportunity to explore Northerly Island and come face-to-face with live animals, engage in winter activities, and create nature-inspired crafts. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather as events take place both outdoors and inside the visitor center.
Northerly Island, 1400 S. Linn White Drive, is a nature lover’s dream and the place to be this Saturday, November 3 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with two events to choose from: Fall Adventure Day and Northerly Island Plant Rescue Part II. Both are free admission.
The bike paths along the Chicago lakeshore and South Lake Shore Drive, as well as piers and breakwalls, will be significantly affected. The Lake Shore Drive bike path was closed from Oak to Ohio Street as of 7:30 a.m., according to city officials. There is a possibility Lake Shore Drive could be shut down if conditions take a turn for the worse, officials said.
The Chicago Park District has closed portions of the lakefront, from Oak to Ohio streets due to high winds and waves earlier than anticipated.
Help rescue hundreds of native plants that currently live on the southern 40 acres of Northerly Island Park.
Chicago Park District historian Julia S. Bachrach will present three lectures on the recent publication of the second edition of her book, "The City in a Garden: A History of Chicago’s Parks." The first edition, published in 2001, garnered widespread praise. WTTW Channel 11 producer and program host Geoffrey Baer hails the new edition as “a book about Chicago treasures from an author who is a Chicago treasure herself.”
Every season, the Chicago Park District offers dozens and dozens of athletic, cultural and generally recreational activities for kids and adults. Some are available throughout most of the system, while others are only available at certain locations.
Back by popular demand, the Chicago Park District and Walgreens present 13 TERRORS: haunted house at Theater on the Lake, 2401 N. Lake Shore Dr., Oct. 19-21 and Oct. 26-28. The popular summertime theater is located along Chicago’s beautiful lakefront and each fall is transformed into an eerie Halloween attraction.
Discover the wonderful world of nature! Spark your curiosity and explore the fun and educational offerings at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, the Chicago Park District’s only park with a teaching greenhouse.
A unique sculptural exhibit entitled “Form in Flora III” takes root at Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Dr. from now through November 2, 2012. Admission is free and open to public during Conservatory hours, daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Presented by Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago Park District and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, Half in the air in the given space, 1999 (Work No. 210) by British artist Martin Creed (British, b. 1968) will be on display at Garfield Park Conservatory until October 15 and on display from daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free admission.
The Chicago Park District’s success continues on day two of fall registration. More than 10,000 transactions were processed online in today’s first hour, resulting in a total of about 19,000 transactions during the first hour of both days. This is the first session the Chicago Park District implemented its new two-day registration schedule to accommodate the extremely high volume of patrons registering for park programs.
Today, just one hour after the start of online registration, the Chicago Park District successfully processed more than 7,100 transactions for fall programs. This is the first session that the Chicago Park District implemented its new two-day registration schedule to accommodate the extremely high volume of patrons registering for park programs.
Following a successful run at 10 parks throughout the City, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Park District plan to bring back and expand the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program that was presented this summer with Chicago Shakespeare Theater and The Boeing Company. The goal next year is to increase the number of parks presenting performances and communities receiving exposure to live, professional theater.
The Chicago Cubs, Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation, 25th Ward Alderman Daniel Solis, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and members of the community broke ground on a new state-of-the-art, all-weather athletic field at the Chicago Park District’s Harrison Park in the Pilsen community on Friday morning, August 3, 2012.
The Chicago Park District, Chicago Fire Department and Forest Preserve District of Cook County would like to remind park and forest preserve visitors not to dump hot coals at the base of the trees or in areas where fires could ignite, especially during this unusually hot and dry summer season. The very dry conditions we are now experiencing make it more important than ever to discard hot coals in the appropriate manner.
Projected light on the dome of the Garfield Park Conservatory reflects the shapes of 65,000 shattered panes of glass from the hailstorm of June 30, 2011. The light installation exhibit by artist and graduate of School of the Art Institute of Chicago Annette Elliot will be on display from sunset to sunrise from June 30 - July 7 to commemorate the devastation left behind by the hailstorm last year.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST), Chicago Park District and The Boeing Company announced today plans to bring Shakespeare, FREE FOR ALL, to community parks across the City of Chicago this summer. From Portage Park to Humboldt Park and Austin to South Shore, this summer from July 29 to August 19, Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks will break down barriers to arts participation and give Chicagoans direct access to their City’s cultural resources by bringing free Shakespeare performances into their
Representatives from the Chicago Park District, elected officials, community members and dozens of boat enthusiasts dedicated Chicago’s 10th harbor at 31st St. this morning. The newly developed area is adjacent to 31st St. Beach and features numerous amenities for the neighborhood, including a state-of-art playground as well as green space.
This summer goats can be seen "browsing" at Garfield Park Conservatory's City Garden! Once a month for a week this summer, visitors can catch a glimpse of goats helping to naturally weed the back City Garden.
The Chicago Park District invites families to get down and dirty with nature at Family Adventure Day from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 at Northerly Island, 1400 S. Linn White Dr., on the Museum Campus. The event is admission free and will officially kick-off Chicago Wilderness’ June, Leave No Child Inside month.
New for the 2012 beach season, the Chicago Park District will provide beach goers with real-time water quality results at 16 out of 24 designated swim beaches, beginning with the start of swim season on Friday, May 25 and running through Monday, Sept. 3.
North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski, celebrates Chicago’s backyard biodiversity during its annual “City Wilds Festival” on Saturday, June 9 with special hours from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday, June 10 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Chicago Park District has limited funds available to provide financial assistance for families who qualify and wish to enroll in the summer day camp program. Deadline to apply for financial assistance is Monday, June 11. Financial assistance is only available to City of Chicago residents.
The Lakefront Trail will be closed on Saturday, May 19 through 6 p.m. on Monday, May 21 from Balbo Avenue to 39th Street due to the NATO Summit.
The Chicago Park District’s 12th annual Movies in the Parks series kicks off Monday, June 11 and will feature 176 screenings of current and classic movies in 128 citywide parks through Oct. 26. The series is presented by Charter One. Admission is free, and all movies begin at dusk weather permitting. Patrons can call the Movies in the Parks hotline for daily listings and updated weather-related cancellations at 312-742-1134.
The Chicago Park District recently announced the winners for the 2nd biannual Nature in Chicago Amateur Photo Contest & Exhibition. The Chicago Park District’s nature areas program hosted a photography contest of nature in Chicago to illustrate the natural beauty and biological diversity that exists within our own city. Four winning photos were selected in each category for a total of 16 photos to be included in the traveling exhibit.
Grab your calendar and find out what's going on this month at your local parks.
The Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain in Grant Park celebrates its 85th season of dazzling Chicagoans and visitors alike with its beauty along the lakefront. The fountain operates daily from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. now through autumn, weather dependent. Times are subject to change when special events take place in or around Grant Park.
Sun-Times: Chicago’s enduring summer theater festival, Theater on the Lake, housed in the building at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, is gearing up to celebrate its 60th season.
Time Out Chicago: The Chicago Park District today announced the 2012 slate for Theater on the Lake. Co-curators Michael Patrick Thornton and Meghan Beals McCarthy selected eight recent theater productions from around the city to be remounted for one week each at the open-air facility at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive, with highlights including the Inconvenience's recent hot ticket Hit the Wall, the Building Stage's percussive adaptation of Moby-Dick and Redtwist's Jeff-nominated Opus.
Broadway World: The Chicago Park District’s Theater on the Lake: The Chicago Summer Theater Festival turns 60 this year and is proud to announce the eight artistically diverse Chicago theater companies that will receive encore presentations from June 13 – Aug. 5, 2012. Each production will be performed for five evenings only at the theater at Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.
Chicago Tribune: Theater on the Lake, the Chicago Park District-sponsored enterprise offering semi-outdoor shows at Fullerton Avenue on the shore of Lake Michigan, has announced its 2012 season, including another chance to see the sold-out show "Hit the Wall" by The Inconvenience, the Ike Holter drama about the Stonewall riots that sparked long lines of potential patrons this spring outside the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre.
Each year, the Chicago Park District develops a 5-Year plan of capital projects and District-wide programs in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Delightfully modern swimming: Midcentury pool still makes a splash.
Grab your calendar and find out what's going in your local parks.
The Committee on Administration will be held on Wednesday April 11, 2012 in the 8th Floor Board Room of the Administration Building at 541 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, Illinois 60611 at 10:30 a.m. The Committee on Capital Improvements will be held on Wednesday April 11, 2012 in the 8th Floor Board Room of the Administration Building at 541 North Fairbanks Court, Chicago, Illinois 60611 at 10:35 a.m.
Registration for the Chicago Park District’s summer day camps and programs begins online Monday, April 9 at 9 a.m. at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Patrons who would like to enroll their family members must first create an online account. Summer program offerings can currently be viewed online and wish lists can be created. In-person registration at most local parks begins Saturday, April 14.
Join the Chicago Park District, Friends of the Parks and a couple hundred volunteers to celebrate Earth Day activities at various park locations and dates throughout Chicago. Help give back to the earth by participating in a community park clean-up event or celebration.
Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool opens for the 2012 season on Saturday, April 21.
The Chicago Park District is partnering with the MEND Foundation to launch an admission free, 10-week healthy lifestyle program open to families with children ages 7-13 who are above a healthy weight at Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. from April 11-June 16.
Winter is winding down and Jackson Park, the perfect location for your golf outing, is open again!
The Garfield Park Conservatory will be dyeing their ponds green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day for the fifth year in a row. Remote-controlled toy boats will be used to help stir the dye, replicating the time-honored St. Patrick’s Day tradition of dyeing the Chicago River.
Want to register for a Chicago Park District program? Make sure you create an account first.
120 Chicago Park District female and male athletes ages 7-17 compete in the U.S.A. Gymnastics tumbling and trampoline meet Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4.
The Chicago Park District is hosting a series of listening sessions to receive public input on ways our programs, facilities and information can be more accessible to the disabled community. Please join us at one of these regional forums.
More than 4,000 adults and children are expected at the 9th annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza, the largest free candy grab in Chicago featuring 2,000 lbs. of goodies on the field at Soldier Field Stadium, 1410 S. Museum Campus Dr., Saturday, March 31. A ticketed breakfast will be held at the United Club from 8:30-10 a.m. An admission-free festival begins at 9 a.m. and the candy grab on the field follows at 10 a.m.
Fleurotica, where flowers meet fashion, hits the runway once again, but at a new location, Venue One on 1044 W. Randolph, in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, dazzling both fashionistas and flower enthusiasts on Friday, March 23 from 6:30 – midnight.
The Chicago Park District and the South Shore Opera Company present an admission-free performance featuring excerpts from The March: A Civil Rights Opera by librettist Alan Marshall and composer Jonathan Stinson on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr. The event is one of several Black History Month events in Chicago parks. Click here for a full listing.
The Chicago Park District and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago announce the 2012 lineup for In the Park with Civic, an admission-free concert series of interactive and educational performances at select field houses Feb. 3-May 11. Families with children ages 5 and up are encouraged to attend.
The Chicago Park District celebrates Valentine’s Day in February with numerous dances and parties throughout the city including the traditional daddy-daughter/mommy-son dances. Most events feature recorded music, refreshments, photo opportunities, games and an arts and crafts station.
The Chicago Park District and the Jazz Institute of Chicago proudly announce the 15th anniversary season for JazzCity, an admission-free concert series featuring world-class performers at various neighborhood parks throughout the city on select Fridays, Feb. 10 – Dec. 7.
Discover the wonderful world of nature! Spark your curiosity and explore the fun and educational offerings at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn Ave., the Chicago Park District’s only park with a teaching greenhouse. Register in-person at the park.
The Chicago Park District commemorates Black History Month in February 2012 with various interdisciplinary events. Most programs are admission free or charge nominal fees. Many activities are geared toward the entire family. Please contact each individual park for additional information or visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.
Spring is just around the corner! The first signs of spring take root in Chicago with more than 300 blooming flowers at the Spring Flower Show. Admission is free.
Ring in the Chinese New Year by joining dragon dancers of the Chicago Chinese Cultural Center in a celebratory procession marking the reopening of the Aroid House and Desert House affected by the June 2011 hailstorm.
Discover how sap is tapped from maple trees at the Maple Syrup Festival at North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Road on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No registration is required and the event is free for all ages.
The Chicago Park District kicked off 2012 with a new website and program registration system. With the new system, all patrons who wish to register for a program, membership or event, must first create an account at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. New accounts can be created online now.
Click here at 1030 AM and at 4 PM on Jan 11, 2011 to view the Committee and Board meetings.
The City of Chicago will be collecting trees for recycling this holiday season. From Saturday, January 7 through Friday, January 20 Chicago residents can bring their holiday tree to one of the 23 participating sites.
SELECT DATES SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS DECEMBER- JANUARY
WINTER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 FROM 6 - 9 P.M.
Skating Season Runs Through February 26 at Most Rinks
Funded by Public-Private Resources, Field Fees Waived for Community Youth Groups
Plant Rescue Sale - Sat., Oct. 22 From 9 A.m. – 2 P.m.
”Show Me the Honey” at 4th Annual Bee Forum Saturday, November 19
Saturday, October 1 From 10 A.m. – 2 P.m.
Saturday & Sunday, October 10 & 11 From 10 A.m. to 3 P.m.
Park District Hosts "Nature in Chicago" Digital Photography Contest & Exhibition
Facebook Contest Hosted by Safeway Runs Through Friday, Sept. 16
Art Vendors, an Open-Air Studio and Live Music
Amazing Feats of Fundraising!
Saturday, Sept. 17 From 11a.m. – 4 P.m.
The Chicago Park District’s Junior Bear Football program celebrates its 63rd season
Program at Citywide Parks Aug. 16-Sept. 1
Registration Deadline: Friday, Sept. 9
Additional Recreational Areas That Fall Within the Festival Footprint Also Temporarily Unavailable
Screening Culminates the Inferno Mobile Recording Studio Day Camp
The Chicago Park District issued a temporary swim ban at all beaches, except for 12thStreet Beach, due to dense fog and low visibility as a safety precaution. Once the fog dissipates, the swim bans will be lifted.
Cool off this summer at the Chicago Park District’s numerous pools and water parks that are now open through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.
The Chicago Park District presents the third season of Dance in the Parks, performances by professional dance companies outdoors on four dates and locations July 19-28.
Safe, Family-Friendly Event
Midwest rock favorites Soul Asylum rounds out the lineup at the Petrillo Music Shell Saturday, June 25 as part of the Taste of Chicago that runs June 24-July 3 in Grant Park. Rare Earth opens in this concert presented by Bud Light.
Nine Taste of Chicago vendors serve up the following from their menu. Prices range from $3-$6 for individual items. Beverages will also be available for purchase from $2-$3. Cash only.
Midnight Circus at the Family Village & Target’s Giant Sandbox at the Playground
Emmy-award winning television personality, author and celebrated chef, Giada De Laurentiis headlines the Dominick’s Cooking Corner at this year’s Taste of Chicago in Grant Park. Presented by Bella Sera Wines of Italy, De Laurentiis will grace the kitchen stage Friday, July 1 at 2:30 p.m. to prepare some of her famous recipes.
On June 11- 12 in Chicago, The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), in collaboration with Chicago Park District, will host What’s Out There Weekend Chicago, providing residents and visitors an opportunity to discover and explore twenty?five free, publicly accessible sites in the Windy City.
The Chicago Park District’s annual garden displays in Chicago’s “front yard” of Grant Park will not only be filled with a unique array of flora but also incorporates design elements that adds color and structure to the usual floral splendor. Grant Park, this year, will feature gardens inspired by the Mediterranean and Roberto Burle-Marx, the father of modern landscape design.
Soldier Field hosts its fourth annual Father’s Day Brunch to honor Chicago’s finest dads Sunday, June 19 at the United Club at the stadium, 1410 S. Museum Campus Dr. The five-star brunch will be one of two times during the year when the United Club’s fine dining is open to the public. In addition to treating dad to a premium brunch, families will be welcomed onto the stadium’s field to watch and take photos as all the dads get their chance at kicking a field goal.
May 31-June 2
From concerts and theater along the lakefront to movies in your local park, the Chicago Park District offers dozens of opportunities to get out and active this summer. For more information about the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call (312) 742-PLAY.
In addition to catering to a variety of palettes, the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park treats music lovers’ ears to a daily, diverse lineup of internationally renowned and local artists from June 24 - July 3, 2011, at the Petrillo Music Shell.
Taste of Chicago 2011 will showcase an eclectic mix of the local music scene at the Illinois Lottery Taste Stage each day of the festival with admission-free concerts in Grant Park, June 24 - July 3, 2011.
Sample culinary offerings from Chicago’s various neighborhoods this summer as 59 restaurants participating in Taste of Chicago 2011 serve a diverse menu in Grant Park June 24-July 3. Many new items are being offered this year from both new and returning restaurants providing Taste attendees with an endless array of options in one location.
Vote Now Through June 17, 2011 Everyday at Maxwellhouse.com
Proceeds From Event Will Benefit Conservatory Public Programs & Education Initiatives
Event Kicks off Chicago Wilderness’ June Leave No Child Inside Month
Thousands trees call Chicago’s parks their home. This year, the Chicago Park District will be celebrating those trees at the Arbor Day Celebration at Jackson Park’s Wooded Island (just south of Museum of Science and Industry)on Saturday, April 30 from noon until 2 p.m. The event is free for families with children 12 and under. Registration is required by calling 312.742.4914.
Season Kicks off June 15 With the Improvised Shakespeare Company
Vegetable Seedlings for Sale - May 14 &15, 2011
Kick off the growing season at the 19th Annual Green and Growing Fair on Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. The fair is free to attend with nominal fees for various workshops and activities.
Egg-Stravaganza April 17 Is City’s Largest Free Candy Grab
Conservatory Staff Dyes Ponds Green With the Help of Toy Boats
The Chicago Park District administrative offices and facilities will be closed on Pulaski Day, Monday, March 7 for a mandatory shut down day, necessary to balance the current budget.
Festivities Include Ticketed Brunch and Admission-Free Festival & Candy Grab
Three outdoor ice rinks operated by the Chicago Park District will be closed today and tomorrow, Feb. 16 and 17,due to the warmer temperatures.
Park District to Manage Event; Incorporate Four Music Fests
Due to recent snow storms, and the relocation of snow from lakeshore drive, various portions of the Lakefront Trail from Hollywood (5800 N) through Rainbow Beach (7700 S) may be difficult to access.
Park District Celebrates Black History in Community Parks
Plus, You Can Make Your Own Snowshoes on Sat., Feb. 19 for $20!
Admission-Free Concerts Run Through May 13
Register at Local Rink for Admission-Free Clinics
The Chicago Park District commemorates Black History Month in February 2011 with various interdisciplinary events. Most programs are admission free or charge nominal fees. Many activities are geared toward the entire family. Please contact each individual park for additional information.