The nonprofit Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) is leading a new citywide volunteer initiative to help keep the city’s 600+ public parks clean. “Pitch in for the Parks!” invites community groups, corporate teams and individual volunteers to participate in this season-long effort. Park budgets have been stretched thin this year and there are fewer seasonal employees. In partnership with the Chicago Park District and communities across the city, CPF is providing trash pick-up supplies, volunteer coordination and safety guidelines to support the parks’ ongoing maintenance throughout the summer.
Volunteers can learn more and get involved online at chicagoparksfoundation.org/pitch-in. Safety guidelines are aligned with the Chicago Park District’s response to COVID-19 and the latest City of Chicago information.
In just the past few weeks, more than 1,000 people have volunteered their time for “Pitch in for the Parks!” and nearly 60 Park Advisory Councils, local businesses and community organizations have stepped up to adopt a park.
“Pitch in for the Parks shifts the stewardship opportunity back to the communities so they can build a stronger sense of pride and ownership of their parks by helping to keep them clean, while modeling giving back to others,” said Willa Iglitzen Lang, executive director of the Chicago Parks Foundation. “When you invest in a park you are investing in the communities who love and use them. And for that we say thank you!”
While group volunteer efforts focusing on a specific park are encouraged, larger park clean-ups across the city that are actively looking for individual volunteers will be listed on the “Pitch in for the Parks!” website.
“Pitch in for the Parks!” is supported in part by the Chicago Bears and Chicago Association of REALTORS®, with in-kind support from Boxed Water.
About the Chicago Parks Foundation
The Chicago Parks Foundation (CPF) launched in 2013 as the nonprofit partner of the Chicago parks. As an independent 501(c)3 organization, CPF brings community ideas to action, raising funds and awareness for park projects all across our city and serving as a fiscal partner to 70+ local Park Advisory Councils. Learn more at www.chicagoparksfoundation.org.