“More than 200 hundred river supporters showed up for our “Keep the Chicago River Clean” photo bomb yesterday,” said Friends’ executive director, Margaret Frisbie. “Their energy and enthusiasm was overwhelming and demonstrates how people care for the river and want to help make it healthy any way they can.

“In addition to MWRD President Mariyana Spyropoulos and Commissioners Barbara McGowan, Debra Shore, and Kari Steele (pictured here),  representatives a host of partner organizations joined in including the Chinese American Service League, City Winery, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Friends of the Forest Preserves, SOM, USEPA, and Wendella. It is all of our work together that is bringing the river to life.”

April is Overflow Action Month and to build awareness Friends of the Chicago River is planning a giant group photo event on the Chicago Riverwalk at the River Theater between Clark and LaSalle. Friends’ goal is to attract hundreds of people who will be photographed on the large stairs there demonstrating they want the river to be healthy and clean. 

Giant Group Photo on the Chicago Riverwalk April 26

Chicago Riverwalk - River Theater between Clark and LaSalle at 12:15 p.m.

"The river has improved dramatically,” said Margaret Frisbie, Friends’ executive director, “and there is so much interest in it right now that it is almost difficult to keep track of it all. However, despite everyone’s enthusiasm for the Chicago Riverwalk, new developments, and getting out on the water there are still a lot of complex problems we need to address including stormwater runoff and occasional sewage pollution—especially this month when there’s been so much rain. We want to people to be aware. Therefore we are holding the Keep the River Clean Photobomb and hope that at least 500 people will join us to represent the thousand who care.  We implore everyone to tell their friends and co-workers, and get ready to smile for the river."

The Overflow Action initiative was launched last year to conserve and protect clean, fresh water and reduce pollution to the river. During the month of April, Friends is running a 30 day campaign to engage people in water conservation activities to help the Chicago River. The photobomb takes place on April 26, 2017, at 12:15 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information on this event, contact Joanne So Young Dill, director of strategic initiatives, at (312) 939-0490, ext. 23, jdill@chicagoriver.org. 

Friends hopes to capture the spirit of the river through the smiling faces of those who truly care.

Home page photo courtesy Steven Dahlman-Loop North New

Friends of the Chicago River has been working to reconnect the river since 2004 when we conducted a feasibility study that found the removal of the North Branch Dam would increase essential dissolved oxygen for aquatic life at the same time it opened up critical upper North Branch habitat and made the river safer for paddlers.