parkways foundation projects

Ongoing Projects

Buckingham Fountain Restoration Campaign
Parkways Foundation is partnering with the Chicago Park District and the City of Chicago in seeking private investment for The Buckingham Fountain Restoration Project. The 80 year-old fountain is one of Chicago’s greatest treasures and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Parkways invites Chicagoans and visitors to the city to consider giving a gift.
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www.parkways.org/restorethefountain

Send a Kid to Camp Scholarship Fund
This fund is essential, especially now, for families who need additional resources to givetheir children positive camp experiences in the parks - both in the summer and after school. families least able to afford summer camp are often the ones who need it the most. Click here to make a one time or monthly contribution to this fund.

The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Celebration Garden
The Tiffany & Co. Foundation awarded a $1,250,000 grant to Parkways for the creation of “The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Celebration Garden” in Grant Park. The south rose garden was transformed into a four season formal garden and event space adjacent to Buckingham Fountain which opened in September 2009. Rental fees for the garden will go directly to Parkways Foundation which in turn be utilized for the ongoing annual maintenance of the new garden space. For more information or to book The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Celebration Garden please contact Alison Krzys at 312.742.4808 or akrzys@parkways.org.
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The Tiffany & Co. Foundation website

The Abbott Fund Wellness Center Programs
The Abbott Fund generously donated $100,000 to Parkways Foundation to establish the first wellness center program in the Rogers Park Neighborhood at the Broadway Armory which opened in June 2008. Due to its success, The Abbott Fund has donated an additional $100,000 for a second Abbott Wellness Program located in the Humboldt Park neighborhood which will open spring of 2009.

The Chicago Park District, with support from Parkways Foundation aims to establish six Wellness Center Programs. These Centers will provide the community with multifaceted, year-round nutrition and fitness programming. This includes fitness classes, fitness arcading and interactive fitness equipment such as the popular games Dance, Dance Revolution and Game Bikes, as well as fitness inflatable equipment, rock climbing walls and a walking club. Additionally, families will learn about healthy nutrition through interactive cooking demonstrations, healthy snacks, and lesson plans. Registered dietitians will offer instruction on healthy cooking, staying fit as a family, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Kraft Great Kids Program
Each year, Kraft Foods gives a major grant to support and staff cultural, nature, and arts programming in parks throughout the city. There are twelve Kraft Great Kids Centers that provide enhanced after-school programming and during the summer, The Kraft Great Kidsmobiles bring organized activities to neighborhoods in need of engaging, visible and positive programming. Through this funding, the Inferno Mobile recording studio was launched, giving kids the opportunity to record music, rap, or spoken word, then make their own CDs. Parkways has also pledged ongoing funding for the expansion of this program.
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Inferno Mobile Recording Studio - annual commitment
Parkways provided seed funding in 2005 to develop the Inferno Studio, a mobile recording studio program that provides park youth with the opportunity to write and record original poetry, songs, raps and more. Parkways is committed to funding this program on an annual basis, especially to inspire additional gifts to expand the outreach of the program.
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Community Gardens Grant Program
Parkways established a grant program for registered Chicago Park District Community Gardens, both ornamental and edible. Community groups may apply for funding for materials to enhance their gardens. The purpose of this program is to build community ownership of the Chicago Parks, strengthen community leadership/sense of neighborhood, and facilitate a higher degree of beautification and maintenance of the Chicago parks through community participation.
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Learn more about Parkways Foundation’s Community Garden Grant Program
Community Gardens Initiative website

Alvin Ailey Dance Camp - annual commitment
AileyCamp is a collaborative effort between Parkways, CPD, Urban Gateways and the Chicago Public Schools, bringing 90 young adults together for a six-week program that literally transforms their lives. Well beyond professional dance instruction from Alvin Ailey instructors, the kids are exposed to poetry and field trips, while learning disciplinary skills and journaling on a daily basis. Parkways is committed to funding AileyCamp on an annual basis.
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Adaptive Camp and Leagues for Children with Disabilities
Parkways raises funds for the Chicago Park District’s Adaptive Camps for children with disabilities focusing on mobility issues. Activities such as basketball, swimming, golfing, bicycling, and fishing are offered. The purpose of the camp is to expose the participants to activities and facilities that are available to them, including the Columbus Park Boundless Playground® funded by Parkways Foundation.
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Audio Walking Tours in Historic Parks
Parkways board designated $5,000 in 2007 to launch this program. A Podcast download of a walking tour giving the history and story of a historic park is available on the Park District website. Parkways is looking to find additional funding to expand this program.

Tree Fund
Parkways raises funds for trees in needed areas on an annual basis.

Community Action Agents
Parkways partners with community organizations who want to raise funds for specific projects in their parks. In the past, we simply held their funds so that they had a 501c3 partner. Now we act as advisors to help form fundraising campaigns, help connect them to the right people at the Park District and make them feel that they have a solid foundation for their efforts through partnering with Parkways. Engaging the community is a priority in all that we do, no matter the size of the project.

Funding Completed -- Capital Projects

McKinley Park Soccer Field
$1,000,000 (’08)
Parkways raised $1,000,000 for a new state-of-the-art artificial turf soccer field at McKinley Park. The funds were used to replace a heavily used grass soccer field with one that can withstand wear and tear. The Park District is working to address the rapidly growing needs for new turf fields as the requests for field time outnumber the fields that currently exist. The field is fully equipped with lights, risers, and the best turf the industry offers and is expected to be the ultimate sports destination in the neighborhood, and beyond.
McKinley Park website

Washington Park
$700,000 (’08)
Parkways Board of Directors and Membership reached their fundraising goal of $700,000 for a signature playground in Washington Park which meets the standards of the Boundless Playground for children of all abilities. The playground opened October 18, 2008 to the applause of the neighborhood, Chicago Park District, as well as Mayor Daley.
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Washington Park website

Fountain of Time Restoration
Parkways staff worked with a special committee to raise funds for the restoration of the reflecting pool in front of the historic Fountain of Time sculpture in Washington Park. The reflecting pool opened in September of 2007.

Agora by Magdelena Abakanowicz sculpture in Grant Park
Parkways worked with a special committee to complete the fundraising for the installation of the sculptures. Agora opened to the public in November, 2006.

Columbus Park
$675,000 (‘05)
Parkways Board of Directors and Membership joined forces to fund the first Boundless Playground® in Chicago at Columbus Park. This universally accessible playground allows children of all ability the chance to play together. Elements are designed to be both mentally as well as physically challenging for a broad range of abilities. Given the historic significance of Columbus Park, the design incorporates elements of nature and historic throughout.
Columbus Park website

Humboldt Park Boathouse
$250,000 (’03)
The Council Ring successfully completed a pledge to fund the infrastructure to bring cultural and educational programming to the Boathouse. The Chicago Park District restored the Boathouse to its original grandeur and the Council Ring raised the funds to breath life back into this amazing structure.
Humboldt Park Boathouse website

Independence Park
$250,000 (’02)
Located on the city’s Northwest side, Independence Park runs a successful Therapeutic Recreation program, however the facilities were in decline due to continuous use. With the help of Parkways donors, the lower level of the Field House was gutted to allow for much needed improvements to the Therapeutic Recreation facility and weight room and the Men’s and Women’s locker rooms received new lockers and benches.
Independence Park website

Elizabeth Morse Genius Children’s Garden at Garfield Park Conservatory
$1.4 million (’00)
The first and to-date, most successful project launched by Parkways, the Children’s Garden has made a significant impact on the Garfield Park Conservatory. By providing a stimulating play area, this facility provides a unique, hands-on opportunity for children to learn about plants and the environment.
Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden website