The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

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Block parties return with limitations, COVID-19 restrictions

Oak Park’s online block party registration portal reopened in May at www.oak-park.us/blockparties.

The dates for hosting a block party this season will be May 29 – Oct. 31.

COVID-19 restrictions are in place based on local public health guidelines, including limits on the number of participants and requiring masks and proper social distancing.
Restrictions could change with conditions and as more residents become fully vaccinated, public health officials say.

The petition form required to schedule a block party can be downloaded from the block party web page www.oak-park.us/blockparties.

A block party requires a petition signed by at least 10 separate addresses on the block, or a majority of residents on a smaller block.

The number of block parties is limited to 20 per weekend this season, with each block allowed to host one party during the season.

Block parties are limited to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with Mondays available on May 31, July 5 and September 6, which are Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day weekends.

Block party participants who are not from the same household are urged not to share foods and beverages with others, including via pot-luck style offerings.

Single-use plates, utensils and napkins also are encouraged as are single-use condiment packets.

Other recommendations include keeping tables and people from different households at least six feet apart, wearing face coverings when not eating or drinking, and wiping down frequently touched surfaces with a disinfecting solution.

Bounce houses and petting zoos are prohibited, and the Village will not offer tree walks or Fire Department visits as part of block parties this year. However, information on how to host a green block party will be available.

Block party organizers also are asked to help keep participants safe by providing hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol and setting up temporary hand- washing stations with water, soap and paper towels.

People who have any COVID-19 symptoms, have tested positive or come into contact with someone who has tested positive, should stay home and not participate in a block party, public officials stress.

For more information on organizing a block party, call 708.358.5700 or email blockparty@oak-park.us.