Mission

Friends of Big Marsh is a coalition of organizations, companies, and people who support the development of Park No. 564 as an eco-recreation area that improves the physical, environmental, and economic health and wellbeing of the Calumet region. We recognize that the park’s potential extends beyond reclaiming this misused, neglected landscape for public use. Working in partnership with the Chicago Park District, we’re committed to engaging local communities so that park benefits flow to local residents, businesses and initiatives as we help develop a national eco-recreation destination. We will develop programming that:

• Improves public health through active and passive recreation
• Creates and operates a world-class venue for bicycle recreation that benefits all ages and abilities
• Enhances, monitors and maintains the park’s sustainable natural habitats that allow native marsh inhabitants to return and thrive
• Stimulates the local economy by creating education and job training opportunities, and attracting regional and national audiences to the park