On June 27th, the Chicago Parks Foundation will celebrate the magic of the parks and the people who bring them to life at our inaugural gala.

Hosted at the Obama Presidential Center, The Parks Gala will mark one of the first major celebrations within this historic new landscape - and the first ever for our amazing parks.

Since 2013, the Chicago Parks Foundation has served as the nonprofit partner that connects communities with the private support their public parks need.

We invite you to learn more about joining us at The Parks Gala and Parks After Dark, or supporting via The Parks Gala Program Book.


Program

5:30 PM NELSON MANDELA SKY ROOM
~For Presenting and Premier Sponsors Only~
Exclusive pre-gala welcome reception with House of Suntory Japanese whisky tasting

6:30 PM HOME COURT
Lively “Birdland” cocktail and hors d’oeuvre reception followed by a magnificent seated dinner and awards

9:30 PM
The party continues with Parks After Dark including a grand dessert buffet and dancing


Honorees 

Carey Pinkowski
Tracy Raoul 
Tatsu Aoki 

Co-Chairs

Jennie Rosenthal
Christy Webber 

Emcees

NBC 5 Anchors Marion Brooks & Alex Maragos

 

Contact
Sonia Horvath Seis
Deputy Director
events@chicagoparksfoundation.org

THE PARKS GALA
Presented by Chicago Parks Foundation

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Event Location
Obama Presidential Center
Home Court
6121 S. Stony Island Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637