Friends of the Chicago River is the only organization solely dedicated to the Chicago River. Every year they organize an annual clean up and restoration day, Chicago River Day.
From litter pickup to restoration to habitat creation, Chicago River Day is about helping the river. Volunteering is always a cheap and rewarding way to spend your time. If you’re thinking about volunteering for this event sign up as soon as possible because closer in locations fill up quickly.
Chicago River Day enlists thousands of volunteers at 70 locations along the Chicago River working together to collect garbage, sort for recycling, remove invasive vegetation, spruce up river-edge trails, plant native seedlings, and much more. Chicago River Day participants included corporate teams, community organizations, school groups, families, and individuals of various skill and ability levels from throughout the 673-square mile Chicago River watershed.
1. TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAP. Choose a site based on what is best for you. Maybe it’s close to home, or maybe you want to go on an adventure! CLICK HERE to open the map.
- Some sites are listed as ~On the Water~ If you would like to paddle, these are for you! Boats are available at these sites for clean up from the water.
- Grey Pins are sites that have been adopted and are closed to public registration.
- If you are bringing a child who is not your own, children need to have waivers signed by parents! Please print them, have them signed and bring them with you.
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Since 1979, Friends of the Chicago River has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River for the benefit of people and wildlife; and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, and easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.
In 2006, Friends opened the seasonal McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum in a landmarked bridgehouse on the Chicago Riverwalk to provide new access and understanding of the dynamic relationship between Chicago and its river. Click here for opening hours and information.
