Friends of Portage Park

The Chicago Park District usually provides one third of the funds for a new playground, with the other two thirds coming from city, federal, and state officials as well as local businesses and community contributions.  The Portage Park playground project cost is estimated at over one million dollars.

The advisory council has been contacting city and state elected officials.  The also want to gain support of the community.  They hope to raise community awareness by planning community events this year.  "Although we are starting with the playgound as our first priority, our main goal is to help make the park a better place for everyone in the community-whether it's programming or tennis courts or concerts in the park-we want to make the most of this beautiful amenity we have right in our backyard, " said Edna Navarro-Vidaurre, president of the advisory group.

The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month (with the exception of Februrary which has been moved to Monday, Feb.4th due to Election Day) at the Portage Park Senior Center.  Information is also available on the PPNA web site .