Sustainable Parkways Resolution

The Problem

You know that strip of land between the curb and the sidewalk? It has many names, but in Chicago it’s officially called a “parkway.” In our city, there are over 7,000 acres of parkways. They contain around 90% of the city’s tree canopy. Underneath, it is customary for the city to install turfgrass. Turfgrass isn’t native to our part of the world, and it takes a lot of resources to make it look its best. The city owns this land, but property owners must maintain it—and it’s hard to do that in Chicago. Weeding, watering, and applying lawncare products costs time and money for homeowners, and landlords pass on these costs to renters. All for something that doesn’t benefit us or the natural world.

The fact is, parkways could be doing more for local residents—humans and wildlife alike. They could direct the water off Chicago streets when it rains, support native plants to feed birds and butterflies, keep local neighborhoods cooler and greener, and invite interactions with nature that support the personal wellbeing of individuals.

Next Steps

Thank you for your support! We’re thrilled to report that the Sustainable Parkways Resolution had a hearing with the City of Chicago’s Committee of Transportation and Public Way in July 2026. This starts a conversation about managing parkway spaces to benefit people and the planet while requiring fewer resources to maintain. We’re working with city departments on next steps now. Stay tuned!

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Partners

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Chicago Garden Wildlife Project
Community gardens benefit both people and wildlife in cities. There are hundreds of community gardens in Chicago, all of which are unique.

Live Wildlife Friendly
Humans and animals must learn to coexist in order to reduce conflict and conserve threatened species. Regardless of where we live—whether in the countryside or a big city—our small choices can make a big impact on local wildlife.

Urban Wildlife Institute
Using Lincoln Park Zoo’s diverse scientific specialties, the Urban Wildlife Institute studies the interaction between urban development and the natural ecosystem to develop scientific standards for minimizing conflict between them.

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