THE AWARD

The Chicago Parks Foundation looks forward to kick-starting the spring season each year with the presentation of our Connecting Communities Awards. We award three gifts of $500 to three Park Advisory Councils (PACs) from across the city to support a specific event or program happening in their park.

Every year, our scoring committee receives more applications than the year before. It’s an amazing sign of all the positive activity happening throughout the parks! We know that our parks would not be what they are without the dedicated work of the PACs. These are voluntary groups of community members who meet regularly to support the functioning of their local park. Hundreds of PACs exist throughout Chicago.

OUR PROGRAM

The Chicago Parks Foundation is proud to support our PACs in doing what they do best every day! As the 501c3 partner of the Chicago parks, we offer our Partnership for Parks fiscal partnership program to all interested PACs, Community Gardens, and Dog Parks. Nearly 80 Advisory Councils have selected the Chicago Parks Foundation as their fiscal partner, in return receiving free banking with our Fifth Third Bank, 501c3 fundraising status, and special support from our team.

MEET THE WINNERS

ARMSTRONG PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
Bicycle & Sporting Goods Drive and Giveaway

4433 S St. Lawrence Ave • On Saturday June 1, Armstrong Park Advisory Council and partner organizations will host a bicycle and sporting goods giveaway event in the park. At the one-day event, children and their families will redeem their preferred sporting goods. The event will feature bicycle maintenance and safety demonstrations and family-friendly games for attendees.

To learn more or support this event, contact Armstrong PAC at armstrongparkchicago@gmail.com.

SOUTH BRANCH PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
Little Blue Library Boxes

2828 S Eleanor Street • The goal of the Little Free Library is to strengthen community through books. While many Chicago communities can boast about their local amenities, neighborhoods like Bridgeport and Pilsen can't always say the same. The work of bringing these libraries to the community has brought great pride for all who participate in borrowing and lending books.

To learn more or support this event, contact South Branch PAC at southbranchpac@gmail.com.

GALEWOOD PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
Back-to-School Giveaway

5729 W Bloomingdale Ave • Each August, Galewood Park Advisory Council purchases backpacks, school supplies and goods for over 100 recipients in the Austin community. This annual event is highly anticipated both by the Advisory Council and the community.

To learn more or support this event, contact Paulette Harvey at pauletteharvey5246@gmail.com.

All photo credits Chicago Park District.