Park Advisory Councils
Providing a voice for citizens for how their parks are managed, and what types of programs are offered at their local park is at the heart of our Neighborhood Parks Program. Friends of the Parks believes our parks are better when citizens are organized and active in the form of an advisory council. We also believe that the best parks have strong, active advisory councils. When people “take ownership” of their local park through park advisory council participation, everyone wins.
Friends of the Parks can help communities form and maintain park advisory councils. We have helped park advisory councils get formed where none existed before, and we have helped existing ones grow and engage new voices for activities. We can assist on by-law adoption, organizational structure, and a council’s relationship with the Chicago Park District. We can help set agendas and priorities, establish procedures for keeping minutes and extending public outreach, and provide technical advice and fiscal agent resources for fundraising for capital improvement projects such as playground renovations.
This program also conducts playground safety inspections each year, and distributes small seed grants to advisory councils engaged in fruitful improvements and programs. We also encourage the Chicago Park District to work with local advisory councils on playground renovations, and target the playgrounds in the most neglected neighborhoods for special attention. We also host quarterly advisory council networking sessions, providing a forum for comparing notes and getting inspired by learning of the successes of others.
Become a Member (same as on your membership page- green color, etc)
Friends of the Parks is a not-for profit member based organization and cannot exist without the support of its members. When you become a member of Friends of the Parks you join thousands who are committed to making a positive difference in their neighborhoods.
Park Advisory Council Membership: $50
Benefits of membership:
- Promote PAC events on FOTP calendar of events
- PAC website link from FOTP website
- Online community chat room access
- Chicago Park District committee and board meeting reminders
- Invite to FOTP quarterly PAC networking meetings
- Volunteer assistance
- Advocacy guidance
- Seed grant notification
- FOTP’s Advocate newsletter subscription (3x per year in addition to the annual report)
Fiscal Sponsor Membership: $100
Benefits of membership:
Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups engaged in activities related to the organization’s missions. Friends of the Parks’ offers this membership opportunity to Park Advisory Councils.
- All the benefits of a Park Advisory Council membership
- Copy of FOTP’s tax ID number and letter of 501 (c) (3) status
- Grant and fundraising assistance
