Who participates in Chicago River Day? 
Friends of the Chicago River attracts thousands of new and returning volunteers, including school groups, corporate teams, families, community organizations, and individuals working side-by-side to enhance and restore the river…and you!

How long will I be volunteering? 
Chicago River Day is scheduled from 9 a.m. - noon. 

When can I sign up for Chicago River Day?
Registration for Chicago River Day begins in late March.

Is registration required for Chicago River Day?
Registration is highly encouraged to ensure we have enough supplies at each site and to distribute volunteers throughout the many many sites. Advance registration also allows us to be more organized the day of the event as waivers will be done already as part of registration. Registration is open until a site reaches capacity. Register by the Friday a week before River Day to receive a free t-shirt. If you register during the week before the event, you will need to show proof of registration (confirmation email) and we cannot guarantee a tshirt. Walk ups in small numbers are ok, but please do not bring a huge group without registering. 

Can I sign up a group for Chicago River Day?
As waivers are a part of registration, individual registration is required. We do not do group registration. Sites farther away from city center generally have more capacity and are a good place check for availability. 

How do I sign up for a Chicago River Day location? 
A Google map with all the sites available is posted in late March on the Chicago River Day page. Register by clicking on the link for your desired site and completing the Eventbrite registration form. Every participant must register individually, anyone under 18 requires a guardian to sign them up. 

What is the minimum age of volunteer that can attend? 
At most sites, the minimum age of event participant is eight years old. We welcome familes to volunteer together, provided there is one adult watching any children under eight. A handful of sites are super family friendly, meaning that the little ones can hang out at other parts of the site with a parent while the rest of the family volunteers.

What will volunteers be doing that day? 
Volunteer activities vary from site to site. Volunteer projects on Chicago River Day include trash collection, removing invasive vegetation, sprucing up river-edge trails, planting native seedlings and more. 

How do I get to my site? 
You are responsible for getting to the site on your own. Many sites are available via public transit or by bike. Most locations have parking nearby. Many registration pages will designate a meeting spot. 

What can I expect when I arrive at my site? 
Chicago River Day is an outdoor event located in a variety of city parks, forest preserves, school yards and businesses all along the banks of the Chicago-Calumet River system and its tributaries. Each site has a Site Captain to greet you upon arrival. Be sure to check in with them! They will  provide an overview of the day’s activities, a safety talk, and distribute supplies and t-shirts to all volunteers.

How do the After Parties work?
Meet fellow volunteers, swap stories and enjoy some refreshments while celebrating your hard work from 12 - 3 p.m.! The northside after party is hosted by Burning Bush Brewery, a beautiful spot off Irving Park Road, just across the river from Horner Park. Volunteers receive a FREE beer or soda on the house (exculsions may apply);Friends will provide snacks, and you are welcome to bring or order-in food as well. The southside after party is hosted by the Ford Calumet Environmental Center at Big Marsh Park, and volunteers will receive a FREE soda and food. All ages and furry friends are welcome!

What is the Community Science Hub at River Park?
Instead of volunteering on Chicago River Day, you can also join us at River Park at our Community Science Hub to engage in river activities with groups including ChiTownBio, RiverLab, Loyola University Chicago School of Sustainability, and Valaurel Studios! Stop by any time between 9 a.m. and 12 noon at the RiverLab pavilion at River Park, 3000 W. Argyle Street on the west side of the river. No registration needed, open to all!

Collect pollution in a playful flock with Gregory the Goose! A citizen science plastic collector kit that you can tow around in the water with a kayak or canoe! Made in collaboration between Oceanographer Dr. Sarah Zouh Rosengard and Artist Val Thompson. 

Dr. Andrew (Andy) Scarpelli is the president and co-Founder of ChiTownBio, Chicago's first community biology lab. The lab is a fully functional molecular biology lab that is publicly accessible with the goal of incubating biotech startups, facilitating citizen science projects, offering job training and retraining in the life sciences, and doing general outreach in biology. ChiTownBio hopes to be a resource for all Chicagoans interested in biology and is located at 6634 N. Clark St.

The RiverLab at River Park Boathouse, located adjacent to the Chicago River, is dedicated to expanding the community's connection with this unique waterway.

What happens if it rains? 
Chicago River Day proceeds rain or shine. Plan your clothing accordingly. In the event of thunder and lightning, sites will shut down. Should there be inclement weather, staff will evaluate the weather 3 hours before the event and notify participants via email as well was posting on social media. Should lighting be spotted during the event, the Site Captain will decide whether to delay or cancel the event at that site. 

What should I bring to Chicago River Day? 
Bring all of the things you think are necessary for working in the outdoors. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes that can get dirty or damp. You should dress for the weather to make sure you are comfortable and warm. If it looks like it might rain, rain coats or ponchos are advisable. We also strongly encourage you to bring water, sunscreen, and your favorite work gloves.

Friends provides basic gloves. For the most part, the gloves are plastic to protect your hands from unsanitary garbage. We highly recommend bringing your favorite pair of work gloves with you if you want something sturdier. We cannot guarantee cloth work gloves for all volunteers.

All volunteers need to sign liability waivers.
Individual registration is required as it is safer and a better use of time for volunteers to have the opportunity to read and agree to waivers in advance of the event. We strongly encourage registering at least one week before the event so we can provide enough supplies and t-shirts. Walk up volunteers are accepted, but not encouraged, and will be asked to register if possible through their phone, though a limited number of paper waivers will be available. Friends’ cannot allow volunteers to participate or have an event t-shirt without these waivers. 

Waivers - 

Friends Waiver - for all sites

Chicago Park District - for all the Chicago Park District Sites

Forest Preserves Waiver - for all Forest Preserve locations

MWRD Adult Waiver  - for all MWRD Sites 

MWRD Minor Waiver - for all MWRD Sites 

WAIVER AND RELEASE - CTA Adult - Ashland Orange Line Station

WAIVER AND RELEASE - CTA Minor - Ashland Orange Line Station

Lincolnwood - Lincolnwood Centennial Park 

Glenview - Techny Basin and Downtown Glenview

Lake Katherine Nature Preserve - for the Lake Katherine Nature Preserve Site

City of Evanston - Evanston Ecology Center, Canal Shores Golf Course, 

Evanston Ecology Center Project Habitat Waiver- for the Evanston Ecology Center Site

FPLC Volunteer Agreement and Waiver - for Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve and Skokie River Nature Preserve

Volunteer Waiver LBOLA - for Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve and Skokie River Nature Preserve

Shedd Waiver - Ping Tom Memorial Park

On the water locations may have waivers that must be signed on site