We have been notified by the Chicago Park District and Friends of the Park that all Earth Day Park Clean-up events across Chicagoland have been POSTPONED INDEFINITELY until further notice.
Meanwhile, work is underway by Friends of the Park to align with the global 50th Anniversary of Earth Day movement and shift to a Digital Earth Day on the actual day – Wednesday, April 22.
History of Earth Day
Fifty years ago Earth Day prompted the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. In 1970, millions of people stood up to protect our planet – let’s do it again!
The National Recreation and Parks Association states: “While the impacts of climate change are daunting, there is a growing recognition that parks can be part of the climate solution. Parks reduce harmful carbon pollution that is driving climate change: they protect people and infrastructure from increasingly severe storms, sea-level and lake-level rise, heat waves and droughts; and they also directly reduce some of the primary public health challenges that are exacerbated by climate change.”
For over 30 years, Friends of the Parks has been mobilizing community members to participate in Earth Day volunteerism. People from neighborhoods throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs volunteer at their local parks and forest preserves to practice stewardship and celebrate community. This year’s event is conducted in partnership with the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserves of Cook County and many community groups across Chicagoland.
EARTH WEEK kicks off on Monday April 20! For more information click here to visit the Friends of the Parks online, or here to visit the International Earth Day website.
