Chicago River Day 2025 - The Preserve of Highland Park

Site Captains: Liz Ricketts, Steve Greenberg

The Chicago-Calumet River system is healthier now than it’s been in 150 years, but litter continues to be detrimental, hurting people and wildlife and causing negative community, economic, and public health impacts. You can make a difference by volunteering with Friends of the Chicago River on Chicago River Day - our fun, free, family-friendly annual cleanup Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Chicago River Day is an outdoor event located at over 75 sites including city parks, forest preserves, school yards, and businesses along the banks of the Chicago-Calumet River system and its tributaries. At most sites, volunteers pick up trash, though volunteers may help with additional stewardship activities at some locations like removing invasive plants and trail maintenance, depending on the needs of the site.

Registration for Chicago River Day is open until a site reaches capacity. Children eight and up are eligible to volunteer with a guardian. Younger family members are welcome to observe provided they are supervised by an adult. Advance registration requested for all participants ages eight and up. Volunteers who register before Friday, May 2, 2025 receive a Chicago River Day T-shirt highlighting this year’s featured creature, the Spotted Gar.

Have a question? Visit Friends' Chicago River Day FAQ page for more information about how to best prepare for the day and for general information. Teamwork is needed to create a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River. We appreciate all the volunteers, partners and sponsors who make this event possible. Learn more about how to support Friends’ work by becoming a member or making a donation here.

Liability Waivers

Waivers are to be read and digitally agreed to as part of the registration process. This means volunteers need to register individually; guardians need to register on behalf of their children. By registering, you are indicating you have read and agree to the terms of the waivers for this location:

Waivers -

Friends Waiver

Look forward to seeing you there!

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Host or Publisher Friends of the Chicago River