Clark Park named Chicago Park District's second accredited arboretum

Overview

Updated 3 hours ago

Clark Park, a 22-acre green space on the former Riverview Amusement Park site, is now the Chicago Park District's second accredited arboretum. The ArbNet Level 1 designation, announced this month by the Clark Park Advisory Council, requires at least 25 tree species and public education programming.

The accreditation follows Palmer Square Park's September 2025 designation and comes as the district runs its first citywide tree inventory of about 250,000 trees. Several other parks are working toward the same status. Volunteers hope the recognition brings more resources to a park they describe as 'the last natural space along the river.'

Why it matters

The designation formalizes community tree stewardship and comes as the Park District works to make its 250,000-tree urban canopy more resilient.

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Key Indicators

Chicago Park District Level 1 arboreta

Clark Park follows Palmer Square Park, accredited September 2025.

Minimum tree species required for Level 1

ArbNet also requires a documented management plan and public education events.

250,000

Trees in the Park District's first citywide inventory

Species and age data will support long-term tree care and future arboretum applications.

Tree species at Palmer Square Park

The first Park District arboretum, built from 45 years of grassroots stewardship.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

People Involved

Jeff Daube

Volunteer coordinator, Clark Park Advisory Council; led the arboretum application

Active volunteer at Clark Park for over 20 years, about eight as a treekeeper

Cathy Breitenbach

Director of cultural and natural resources, Chicago Park District

Oversees the arboretum application process and citywide tree inventory

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa

Superintendent and CEO, Chicago Park District

Led the district through both arboretum accreditations

Organizations Involved

Chicago Park District

Municipal agency

Oversees arboretum accreditation and the citywide tree inventory

Municipal agency managing Chicago's public parks, including roughly 250,000 trees.

Morton Arboretum / ArbNet

Nonprofit arboretum and accreditation body

Administers the ArbNet program and partnered with the Park District on applications

Nonprofit arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, that administers ArbNet, the only accreditation program specific to arboreta.

Clark Park Advisory Council

Community volunteer group

Led Clark Park's successful arboretum application

Community volunteer group that stewards Clark Park and led its arboretum application.

Homeowners Association of Palmer Square

Community volunteer group

Pioneered the district's first arboretum accreditation

Community group that stewarded Palmer Square Park for 45 years and led its accreditation.

Timeline

1967 October 2026

8 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Clark Park celebrates with community bonfire
Upcoming Event

Park hosts its second annual community bonfire from 5-7 p.m. to mark the accreditation.
Tomorrow
Clark Park named city's second accredited arboretum
Today Milestone

The 22-acre former amusement park site earns ArbNet Level 1 status, following Palmer Square Park.
Today
September 2025
Palmer Square Park named district's first arboretum
Milestone

Palmer Square becomes the first Chicago Park District location accredited as an ArbNet Level 1 arboretum.
September 2025
2025
Park District begins citywide tree inventory
Milestone

First districtwide count of about 250,000 trees, meant to support canopy resilience and future applications.
2025
2013
Palmer Square incorporated into Park District
History

The Logan Square park, part of Chicago's 1870s boulevard system, joins the district.
2013
1980s
Hybrid elms planted at Palmer Square
History

More than 50 disease-resistant hybrid elms, developed by Morton Arboretum's George Ware, are planted.
1980s
1980
Palmer Square neighbors begin tree stewardship
History

Homeowners Association of Palmer Square forms to rescue a neglected, clay-filled park field.
1980
1967
Riverview Amusement Park closes
History

Once billed as the world's largest amusement park, it closes; the land later becomes Clark Park.
1967

Scenarios

Third Chicago Park District park named Level 1 arboretum

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Cathy Breitenbach of the Chicago Park District, who said several parks are working toward accreditation

The Park District partnered with the Morton Arboretum to build an application process, and Breitenbach said several parks are already pursuing it. The citywide tree inventory should make future applications easier by providing species data. A third designation would confirm the arboretum program is expanding rather than a one-off.

Clark Park adds oaks to its arboretum collection

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Jeff Daube, Clark Park Advisory Council volunteer coordinator

Daube wants to introduce more tree species, especially oaks, which host insects that feed birds. The accreditation brings visibility and potential resources. He also wants 'a friend' for the park's lone horse chestnut. If the community secures new plantings, the collection would grow beyond what ArbNet accredited.

Park District publishes citywide tree inventory and management plan

Likely Resolves by Q2 2028

Discussed by: Chicago Park District, which says the inventory will support long-term tree care

The first districtwide count of about 250,000 trees is meant to provide species and age data. It is part of a multi-year initiative to expand the forestry team and improve canopy resilience. Publication would set management priorities and open a clearer path for future arboretum applications.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

September 2025

Palmer Square Park arboretum accreditation (2025)

Palmer Square Park in Logan Square became the first Chicago Park District location accredited as an ArbNet Level 1 arboretum. The 7.69-acre park, part of Chicago's 1870s boulevard system, holds 28 tree species including a historic elm grove.

Then

Set the model for community-led accreditation in the district.

Now

Now serves as the template for other parks, including Clark Park.

Why this matters now

Clark Park is the second park to follow the path Palmer Square opened.

1970s-1980s

Dutch elm disease and hybrid elms (1970s-1980s)

Dutch elm disease killed millions of American elms in cities across the US in the mid-20th century. At the Morton Arboretum, dendrologist George Ware developed disease-resistant hybrid elms; in the 1980s, Palmer Square neighbors planted more than 50 of them, many of which still stand.

Then

The hybrid elms became the core of Palmer Square's tree collection.

Now

They became a symbol of resilient, disease-resistant urban forestry.

Why this matters now

The arboretum program and the 250,000-tree inventory respond to this history of canopy loss.

1967

Riverview Amusement Park closure (1967)

Riverview Amusement Park, once billed as the world's largest amusement park, closed in 1967. The 22-acre site along the Chicago River later became Richard Clark Park, with soccer fields and bike trails.

Then

The land moved from private amusement to public green space.

Now

Clark Park is now the southern anchor of a riverfront green corridor.

Why this matters now

The arboretum designation recognizes the transformation of this former fairground into a public tree collection.