Green Block Party Programs

These programs subject to change.

Include a 30-minute ‘Be a Planet Hero’ program
for Your Block Party 

Click here to request one of the following sustainable-living activities for your Oak Park block party.  These topics are related to Climate Ready Oak Park sustainability plan, approved by the Village Board of Trustees in August 2022. 

We would appreciate a $50 suggestion donation to support these programs. Thank you!

Programs for All Ages, Children + Adults

  • Superheroes Vs Zombies Great Match Up Game: A Planet Action Hero will lead you in a game while learning cool stories of amazing native plants that can protect butterflies, slurp up stormwater, and fight climate change. You’ll also learn the zombie plants that are invading our natural areas. We’ll also go over “donut” mulching— the right way to mulch your trees. You’ll bring home some Superhero seeds for your own yard.

  • The Energy Zappers. Learn ways to go electric—whether you live in an apartment, condo or single-family home—while playing musical chairs with a playlist curated by Val’s Halla Records. You’ll learn about saving money on utility bills or qualifying for federal, state and local incentives. We’ll make iced tea on an induction cooktop to show you how it works. You can also have an electric vehicle come to your block for test drives.  

  • The Trash Smasher. We’ll play a sustainable version of Bozo Buckets with prizes as you discover ways to shrink your trash bin. We’ll show you easy ways to reduce single use plastics in your home and lunchboxes. You’ll learn about the Village of Oak Park’s CompostAble program. 

Programs for Adults We would appreciate a $7/per person suggestion donation to support these programs, $75 minimum. Thank you!

  • Climate Coaching Soiree. We’ll come out late afternoon or early evening with mocktails and cocktails. We’ll give you a brief overview of Oak Park Climate Action Network’s “Climate Coaching” program. If you choose, Climate Coaches can also go through a home or two on your block and go through their process of making recommendations and giving advice around energy efficiency and converting to heat pumps, induction cooktops and other electric appliances.

  • Lush Landscaping Soiree. We’ll come out late afternoon or early evening with mocktails and cocktails. An expert in native landscaping will go through two yards on your block and make recommendations based on sun, moisture and site conditions.

  • (Available after July 30) Rain Ready Soiree. We’ll come out late afternoon or early evening with mocktails and cocktails. We’ll go through a few yards on your block to suggest ways to reduce standing water in your yard, possibly reduce flooding in your basement, and provide habitat for birds, bees and butterflies.

3 Steps to Schedule a ‘Be A Planet Hero’ Program
for your Block Party

A short, award-winning film about waste and superheroes by Caitlin Clonan, with acting by her brother, Luke Clonan. This film received a prize in the One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest.

  1. Select your block party date and complete the Oak Park Village application and petition.

  2. In order to get recycling, compost and landfill bins from the village, complete the village’s Green Block Party Request Form.

  3. Select one of the Green ‘Be A Planet Hero’ events for your block party listed above by filling out this google form.  Note: Applications for green block party events offered through One Earth Local are open for the 2024 season.

For more information about planning a ‘Be A Planet Hero’ event for your block party, call or email  laurie@oneearthcollective.org or 773-318-5527.

‘Do It Yourself’ Ideas for Green Events at Block Parties

Most blocks have awesome expertise and resources among the residents on the block. Following are some examples of green-themed activities that residents are already doing or would like to do at their block parties:

  • Turn everyone on your block into a treehugger with a tree-tagging  activity for all ages to identify your parkway trees and calculate their value. See “How to” sheet attached, compliments of Mary Chris Jaklevic!

  • Share what neighbors are doing to conserve water and prevent flooding, like installing rain barrels and rain gardens.

  • Have a garden walk to feature edible and native gardens on your block. Consider a home grown food exchange.

  • Invite the OP Library’s Book Bike to visit and/or visit the “Little Library” on your block and have a book exchange.

  • Register voters, share favorite ways to be engaged in civic activity/advocacy.

  • Set up an outdoor theater and show a movie at your block party.

  • Visit the beekeeper or chicken farmer on your block or invite  someone to visit that can talk about the ups and downs of beekeeping and raising chickens.

  • Progressive dinner or tasting pot luck/share dishes from different ethnic and cultural groups.

  • Register bikes/arrange for a bike safety demo/share favorite bike routes in and around OPRF