[Pieter de Liagre Bohl/pawsup.com]
CHICAGO — Sleeping in Chicago parks has gone glam.
Encouraged by successful camping events on Northerly Island, the Chicago Park District is now offering four-figure "glamping" packages at more than a dozen park venues.
Glamping — as in glamorous camping.
The new glamp grounds include Promontory Point, Buckingham Fountain and Garfield Park Conservatory, all picturesque sites allowing Chicagoans to somewhat rough it without sacrificing city living. The Park District has hosted parties with bounce houses and petting zoos since opening up the sites to overnight guests last year.
"Camping is becoming more and more popular, and people love camping in the city," said Elisa Arlow, assistant director of revenue at the Park District. "People love the backdrop. You're not in the woods."
The Park District's glamping fees range from $2,500 for 12 hours (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) to $5,000 for an overnight stay. Guests can bring their own wedding cake, but all other food and beverages must be supplied by one of the Park District's approved caterers, such as Wolfgang Puck, Harry Caray's and Indian Garden. Guests can also choose from one of the Park District's approved tent vendors, including one with a 15,000-square-foot tent that can accommodate up to 1,500 people.
The fees cover the right to reserve city parkland, as well as security, insurance and electricity costs. Guests are responsible for glamp decor.
Arlow said the Park District opened up its offerings after hosting three successful camps at Northerly Island, the newer nature preserve just south of the Loop that once was the home of Meigs Field.
Up to 700 people can sit and eat inside this tent at Northerly Island. [Courtesy of Chicago Park District]
The Park District now allows overnight glamping at 14 venues, including the WMS Boathouse in Roscoe Village's Clark Park, the South Shore Cultural Center and Chinatown's Ping Tom Memorial Park. The full list of venues is here.
It's unclear how far in advance the venues get booked, but the Park District asks for security deposits "no later than six months" before the event date. The security deposit is about half the reservation fee. The Park District is accepting glamping reservations for this year and 2018, said Irene Tostado, a Park District spokeswoman. Click here to print an application.
Reserving parks for private events is nothing new. George Lucas and Mellody Hobson famously spent $125,000 to reserve Hyde Park's Promontory Point and nearby parking lots for their wedding in 2013. Prince performed at their reception.
But now, Arlow hopes Chicagoans in lower tax brackets can have a similar, if less star-studded, experience in the parks.
"Glamping" has been in the national lexicon since at least 2008. The trend has been a pastime of celebrities ranging from Solange Knowles to Gwyneth Paltrow and the onetime couple affectionately known as "Jelena."
A camp site last summer at Northerly Island. [Flickr/Chicago Parks Foundation]
