October 6, 2022
Dear friend of the parks,

Each year Friends of the Parks honors Park Advisory Councils (PACs) and other groups and individuals that have gone above and beyond in making Chicago’s parks great places—through stewardship, advocacy, coordinating park-centric activities for the community, and other kinds of volunteerism. These may be folks who are actively involved with Friends of the Parks. Or they may be people we don’t know yet, but really should!

That's where you come in. We are seeking nominations for our 2022 Volunteers-in-Parks Awards. Who do you see going above and beyond to care for a park? What projects have captured your imagination? What groups are influencing decision makers to ensure all parks work for all Chicagoans?

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, October 31st at 11:59pm.

Self-nominations are welcome! Click here to access the nomination form.
For examples and inspiration, check out VIPs from previous years: 2021, 2020 2019, 2018
Chris Didato of Marquette Park:
2021 "Smoky Sakurada” Friends of Friends of the Parks Award
Mobilize Creative Collaborative:
2021 Park Activation Innovation Award
VIP Award Categories

  • Stewardship Award: Awarded to individuals who work to beautify & improve the natural assets in parks.
  • Park Advisory Council Award: Awarded to advisory councils who have made a significant contribution to their park and local community.
  • Community Group Award: Awarded to community groups or organizations that have made a significant contribution to their park and local community.
  • Outstanding Park District Employee: Awarded to individuals whose commitment to their job and their park greatly benefits the local and Chicago community.
  • "Smoky Sakurada” Friends of Friends: Awarded to individual volunteers who support FOTP staff in their mission.
  • Advocacy Award: Awarded to groups or individuals that work to better their park through community organizing and public advocacy by committing their voice and time to addressing a park issue or concern.
  • Individual Volunteer Award: Awarded to individuals who volunteer in their parks other than in a stewardship capacity.
Grace Chan McKibben, Executive Director of the Coalition for a Better Chinese Community: 2021 Isolation Inspiration Award
In 2020, we added two categories in light of the pandemic to honor the PACs and park partners who have continued innovating in the face of COVID-19's evolving challenges.

  • Isolation Inspiration Award: Awarded to individuals that have been particularly inspiring in their efforts to safely utilize parks and nature for personal mental and/or physical health during COVID and to encourage others toward the same.
  • Park Activation Innovation Award: Awarded to an individual or group (PAC or other) that organized something particularly creative or that reached out way beyond their usual group/audience to engage neighbors in safe, socially distanced use of parks and nature during COVID-19.
Thank you for helping us uncover and spotlight the great work happening on behalf of parks and park users in all corners of Chicago.

Be sure to share the nomination form with every friend of the parks you know!

Sincerely,

Gin Kilgore
Deputy Director
Friends of the Parks
312-857-2757
fotp.org