Seed Grants
Friends of the Parks established its Seed Grant Program in 2003 to provide resources to volunteer led projects in Chicago parks and forest preserves. The Seed Grant Program is designed to build stronger communities, develop alliances and foster a sense of care for parks. Through this program, park advisory councils can apply for small grants to support local park projects to green parks, provide children’s programs and activities, offer free special events and sponsor innovative cultural programs.
In 2009, Friends of the Parks awarded small “Seed Grants” to park advisory councils, adopt-a-park groups and community partners. This program provided $15,000 toward group projects to beautify parks and build playgrounds, promote stewardship within our nature areas, host family outings, purchase field house equipment, introduce innovative programs to children and adults, offer arts and culture and promote park programming.
In 2011 Friends of the Parks awarded $10,000 to park advisory councils, adopt-a-park groups and community partners.
- Armour Square Park- flower planters
- Bowmanville Community Organization- GreenSpace Chicago- memorial rose garden and pergola
- Commercial Park- kid’s gardening project
- American Indian Center/ Dunning Read Conservation Area- instructor for fragmities hutch
- Chase Park Theater – costumes for theater productions
- Kelles Park- stage for cultural festival
- Lowe Park- Pink Panther double dutch program
- Northtown Garden Society/Warren Park- terrarium
- Rutherford Sayer- mural on underpass connecting to park
- Skinner Park- new planter
- Unity Park- parking lot markers: hop scotch, 4 square, United States map
- Wells Park- drum equipment
- Wicker Park- Sunday children’s puppet show
