Accomplishments & Past Events

The water fountain by the Buena Circle Park playground was shut off in 2025 due to pipe Issues. The Buena Circle & Challenger Parks Advisory Council spent the last year lobbying the city and Park District to prioritize this fix. 

In February 2026 the Chicago Department of Water Management and Chicago Park District replaced much of the line that and connected the new line to the water main!

We look forward to having the water flowing once the weather warms up this spring!

A huge thank you to the city teams for their hard work on the ground this week to get these pipes replaced.

The PAC hosted a "Chip in for Challenger Event" on September 20th, 2025 which facilitated spreading woodchips along the pathway in the north section of Challenger Park. Bringing together ~25 volunteers. The path's integrity was greatly improved with this, and it is more visible, better for individuals to use, and much nicer looking! Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers and the Park District for donating woodchips.

October 2025 Community Bonfire: Partnering with the Chicago Park District and Graceland Cemetery we held a community bonfire in Buena Circle Park on October 15th from 5-7pm with over 350 community members attending! This was the most attended of any of the Chicago Park District's community bonfires in 2025 to that point. 

Graceland Cemetery generously donated funds to cover the cost of s'mores and the Chicago Park District managed the bonfire and brough local wildlife educators to discuss Chicago's diverse wildlife!

"Its Your Park Day" Community Cleanup - May 2025: As part of the "Its Your Park Day" the PAC organized ~25 volunteers to spread woodchips in the Buena Circle playground, pick up trash, and spread mulch around all of the trees in Buena Circle and Challenger Parks!

The PAC's Events committee held a free fitness class series in Buena Circle Park in September and October with generous community member Lauren who, as a certified fitness instructor, ran the series.