CDPH and 35 Community Partners Celebrate PlayStreets Week

17 free events kick off this week, leading into a record summer of 200+ safe space activations, bringing wellness resources and healthy recreation to communities citywide

CHICAGO - The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) celebrates PlayStreets Week from July 20-26 with 17 free events across the city. Throughout the summer, more than 200 PlayStreets events are planned, making 2026 the initiative's largest season to date. The programmed events intend to be fun, accessible and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve. Residents can enjoy interactive activities like games, sports, music, dance and arts and crafts, as well as healthy snacks, health information, and access to resources and City services.

For the 2026 season, CDPH awarded grants to Phalanx Family Services and BBF: Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts. Together, the two lead organizations coordinate events with 35 community-based organizations across designated West and South regions, including Rogers Park, North and South Lawndale, South Shore, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Englewood, Auburn Gresham, West Pullman, Roseland, and other priority community areas (for a complete list of community areas, visit Chicago.gov/PlayStreets). PlayStreets supports CDPH's efforts to improve health outcomes in communities where life expectancy is below the citywide average.

"PlayStreets brings public health directly into neighborhoods in a way that feels welcoming and connected to everyday life," said Fikirte Wagaw, CDPH Acting Commissioner. "By working with trusted community partners, we are creating more opportunities for residents to move, build relationships and connect with resources that support healthier and safer communities."

The 2026 PlayStreets theme is "Ready, Set, Action!"

PlayStreets Week Schedule:

• Wednesday, July 22
  Breakthrough Ministries - 2500 West Jackson Boulevard, 4-7 pm
• Thursday, July 23
  Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council - 5000 South Aberdeen Street, 3-6 pm
• Friday, July 24
  Brilliance and Excellence NFP - 4400 South Lake Park Avenue, 2-5 pm
  Increase The Peace - 5200 South Fairfield (Tamayo School) 3-6 pm
  New Life Center of Chicagoland - Harding Park, 3917 West Division Street, 4-7 pm
  Project H.O.O.D. - 6400 South King Drive, 4-7 pm
• Saturday, July 25
  365 We Thrive NFP - 11000 South Emerald Street, 12-4 pm
  Acclivus Inc. - 1200 South Harding Avenue, 2-5 pm
  Always Reaching Children Hearts - 11500 South Loomis Street, 12-3 pm
  Anchor, Inc. - 300 North Parkside Avenue, 12-6 pm
  Branding Englewood - 6000 South Union Street, 12-4 pm
  Be The Movement Chicago - 8300 South Elizabeth Street, 2-5 pm
  BUILD, Inc. - 4900 West Chicago Avenue, 10 am-2 pm
  City Motivators - 7600 South Saginaw Avenue, 3-6 pm
  New Generation Fancy Drill Team - 700 East 50th Street, 11 am-2 pm
  Reimagine Roseland Community Collective - 11300 South State Street, 12-4 pm
• Sunday, July 26
  ChiGivesBack - 8700 South Paulina, 1-4 pm

"Every child deserves a safe space to play, grow and simply enjoy being a child. PlayStreets transform our neighborhoods into spaces where health is encouraged in our communities, friendships are built, families are strengthened and joy fills our blocks. When we invest in our children and families, we invest in brighter futures." - Dr. Pamela J. Blackman, Chief Executive Officer of Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts

"PlayStreets continues to demonstrate the power of community partnerships. These events create safe environments where families can enjoy quality time together while connecting with organizations and resources that strengthen their neighborhoods. We are proud to partner with CDPH in bringing these opportunities to communities across Chicago's South Side." - Tina Sanders, Chief Executive Officer of Phalanx Family Services

Residents can find the complete summer schedule on the Chicago Department of Public Health Community Engagement Calendar. All events are free and open to the community.

About PlayStreets Chicago:

PlayStreets Chicago is a community-driven effort made possible through collaboration among residents, community-based organizations, City agencies and many other partners.

2026 Community Partners: 365 We Thrive NFP; Acclivus Inc.; Always Reaching Children's Hearts; Anchor Chicago; Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council; Black Girls Jump; Branding Englewood; Breakthrough Ministries; Brilliance and Excellence NFP; Be The Movement Chicago; BUILD Inc.; Chicago Collegiate; ChiGivesBack; CICS West Belden; City Motivators; Envision Community Service; Far South Chicago Coalition; Future Ties; Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation; Heavenly Cynt Youth; Increase The Peace Chicago; Institute of Positive Education; John W. Buckner Youth Initiative; MAAFA Redemption Project; New Generation Drill Team; New Life Centers of Chicago NFP; Northwest Center; Peace Runners 773 NFP; People for Community Recovery; Project H.O.O.D.; Reimagining Roseland Community Collective; Southwest Creative Studio; The Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago; UCAN; and Young Men's Educational Network.

For more information about the program, partnerships and upcoming events, visit Chicago.gov/PlayStreets.

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