2025 Park Advisory Council Conference Hosts More Than 200 Park Advocates at Malcolm X College on April 12

The Chicago Park District will host the 2025 Park Advisory Council Conference on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. at Malcolm X College, 900 W. Jackson Blvd.

The one-day Conference is presented by the Chicago Park District in collaboration with our Park Advisory Council (PAC) partners. This free event will be a day of networking, workshops and resources for PACs from across Chicago. This year's keynote speaker is Chicago Park District Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa.

This year's theme, Parks for All, will highlight the Chicago Park District's 2025-2030 Strategic Plan's goals. Session titles include: A Greener City, Community Wellbeing, Effective Operations, and Exceptional Experiences. For more than two decades, PACs, dog friendly area advocates, and community groups have worked to bring volunteers, special events, programs and funding to their parks.

More than 200 park volunteers and advocates are registered and will assemble for this annual conference to learn best practices from experts, network with their fellow PAC members, and be inspired by the work Park Advisory Councils are doing in parks across Chicago.

For a complete schedule and description of the 12 workshops, lunch and learn sessions and to register for the conference, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/pac-conference.

Community members interested in forming a PAC or joining an existing group are encouraged to attend.

At the Conference, Chicago Park District Superintendent & CEO will announce details about a new natural resources' initiative named 'Project Monarch' that will focus on the Park District's contributing efforts to the protection and survival of the beloved monarch butterfly.

Pre-register at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/pac-conference. Parking and lunch will be provided.

Park Advisory Councils (PAC) are the community voice for neighborhood parks, children's playgrounds, beaches and natural areas. They work to advocate, support, enhance, and partner with the Chicago Park District on behalf of their parks.

For more than two decades, PAC's have had a profound impact in Chicago through a variety of advocacy efforts that include recruiting volunteers for park cleanups, hosting special events and programs, raising funds for park improvements, organizing food and coat drives, and more.

In 2024, we had 8 new PACs come on line bringing our total to 168 PACs representing 225 parks citywide.