Community Paddle

This event is geared towards local residents surrounding the park from the Bridgeport, Chinatown, McKinley Park, and Pilsen communities. To help more people get to know the river as a natural resource and learn about the ways Friends and community partners are caring for the river, Friends is hosting Community Paddles on the South Branch of the Chicago River. As part of Friends’ Litter Free Initiative, we are excited to partner with groups to educate and install trash collection devices, which we’ll highlight on the trip. We will keep our eyes open for birds, turtles, fish and mink, and help more people feel comfortable recreating on the water. Friends’ trusty canoe guides will help everyone safely load in and out of the canoes, answer questions about the river along the way and act as safety monitors on the water. We provide all equipment, paddling instruction, and safety talk. Trips start and end from the same location, rain or shine! Space is limited, registration required. Beginners are welcome, no experience paddling necessary! Paddlers should be at least 10 years old and all minors paddle with a guardian (younger river friends can join in by sitting in the middle – no need to register them). If you think you may need special accommodations for mobility concerns, please reach out and discuss them with us so we can be prepared to accommodate you to the best of our ability. For questions, contact Annette Anderson at [email protected]. Friends and our partners at McKinley Park Development Council, PERRO, Shedd Aquarium, the South Branch Park Advisory Council, and Urban Rivers are hosting many fun community events at Canal Origins Park and Park 571 across the river, so check that all out here (in English) or here (en Español).