Volunteer to clean up a park on Earth Day Update

Volunteer to clean up a park on Earth Day. Every year on Earth Day Friends of the Parks (FOTP) and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County (FPDCC) organize a park clean up day at various parks and preserves around the Chicago area. This year there are far events due to Covid (what else). Friends of the Parks events registration has not opened. Forest Preserve District of Cook County registration is open. Enjoy a day outside and help out. It’s free!

Friends of the Parks – This years event is on Saturday April 24, 2021, approximately 8AM-1PM. Registration has opened.

Humboldt Park (1400 N. Humboldt Dr., Chicago, IL, map)

~~Humboldt Park will have two clean-up shifts: 8am – 10am & 10:30am –12:30pm~~ Humboldt Park organized their clean-up with community volunteers. If more volunteers are needed, registration will open here.

Garfield Park (100 Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL, map)

The Garfield Park clean-up plan is still being finalized and will take place on April 14 and April 24, 2021. Sign up to receive more info here

Montrose Beach Dunes (900 W Montrose Harbor Dr., Chicago, IL,map)

The Montrose Beach Dune clean-up will take place from 9am – 12pm. Meet at the sidewalk opposite the beach handicap parking lot at Montrose Beach. This is just east of the Montrose Beach House. Register here

Grant Park (Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL, map)

The Grant Park clean-up will take place from 10am – 12pm. Register here

A. Montgomery Ward Park (630 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL map)

The A. Montgomery Ward clean-up will take place from 9am – 11am. Registration info coming soon COTC note: I did a tree maintenance event there one year with the City Forestry Department. The park was covered in goose poop. When I was done I threw my shoes away and drove home in my socks. The shoes were old. I save old one’s specifically for these types of events.

Beaubien Woods (Beaubien Woods, South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, map)

The Beaubien Woods clean-up will take place from 10am – 1pm. Register here

Palmer Park (201 E. 111th St., Chicago, IL 60628)

The Palmer Park clean-up will take place from 10am – 1pm. This clean-up is also collecting and distributing air and water filters to communities burdened with pollution. Chicago. Register here

Riis Park (6100 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60639)

The Riis Park clean-up will take place from 10am – 12pm. Register for the Riis Park clean-up here

Forest Preserve District of Cook County – This years events will be held on April 22-24, 2021 Registration open

Thursday, April 22, 202112 – 5 pm LaBagh Woods, Grove 1, Chicago

Thursday, April 22, 2021 3 – 6 pm Jerome Huppert Woods, River Grove Call 312-533-5751 for information.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 4 – 7 pm Maple Lake Boating Center, near Willow Springs Email experience.camping@cookcountyil.gov for information.

Friday, April 23, 2021 10 am – 4 pm Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center, Chicago Register for Dan Ryan Clean Up.

Saturday, April 24, 2021 10 am – 1 pm Beaubien Woods, Chicago Register for Beaubien Clean Up.

Saturday, April 24, 2021 10 am – 1 pm Kickapoo Woods, Riverdale Register for Kickapoo Clean Up.

Saturday, April 24, 2021 9 am – 3 pm Trailside Museum of Natural History, River Forest Call 708-366-6530 for information.

Saturday, April 24 • 9 am – 3 pm Sand Ridge Nature Center, South Holland Call 708-868-0606 for information.

Saturday, April 24 • 12 – 3 pm Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington Hills Call 847-381-6592 for iinformation.

Bring your own gloves

FOTP provides all the clean up material ~~such as gloves and~~ plastic bags. I recommend bringing your own gloves. You can purchase cheap gardening gloves at Home Depot. Marshall’s and TJ Maxx also have them sometimes.

Since 1975 FOTP’s mission has been:

to preserve, protect, improve and promote the use of Chicago parks, forest preserves and recreational areas for the benefit of all neighborhoods and citizens.