Richard Clark Park Gains Arboretum Designation

The 22.42-acre site is now officially recognized as a Level 1 Arboretum by ArbNet.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in National Parks

Richard Clark Park Gains Arboretum Designation

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ArbNet has designated Richard Clark Park as a Level 1 Arboretum, making it the second Chicago Park District location to receive this accreditation. The park, situated on the former site of the Riverview Amusement Park, meets the criteria of having at least 25 tree species and dedicated staff for public education.

Why it matters

This accreditation aims to celebrate local green spaces and raise awareness regarding the critical importance of urban trees. It serves as a benchmark for the Chicago Park District as it continues a massive inventory of its approximately 250,000 park trees.

Richard Clark Park spans 22.42 acres and satisfies the ArbNet requirement of hosting at least 25 distinct tree species. This designation supports a wider effort by the Chicago Park District to catalog its approximately 250,000 trees across city parks.

The players

ArbNet

This is an international organization that manages the Arboretum Accreditation Program to establish professional standards for tree-focused institutions.

Chicago Park District

This local government agency oversees the operation and maintenance of more than 600 parks and thousands of acres of public land throughout the city.

Morton Arboretum

Located in Lisle, Illinois, this nonprofit organization functions as a globally recognized center for tree research and plant conservation.

The details

The Chicago Park District worked with the Morton Arboretum in Lisle to develop an application process for community groups seeking this status. Volunteers and staff manage the accreditation requirements, which were previously met by Palmer Square Park in 2025.

Riverview Amusement Park closed in 1967.
Palmer Square Park received Level 1 Arboretum accreditation in 2025.
A community bonfire will celebrate the new status on October 27, 2026.

Travel Outlook

The park's new status follows a pattern set by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program to recognize municipal green spaces that meet specific educational and botanical standards. This trend highlights a broader effort to formalize the botanical significance of urban parks.

Residents can visit the park to explore the 25 identified tree species that contributed to the accreditation. Those interested in local history can view the site where the Riverview Amusement Park once operated until its closure in 1967.

The takeaway

Urban arboretum designations highlight the value of cataloging diverse tree species within metropolitan areas. Residents are encouraged to engage with local park events to learn about the botanical diversity present in their own neighborhoods.