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Before joining the FOTP staff, Gladstein served as deputy director at the Jewish Council for Urban Affairs and executive director at Common Cause Illinois. He believes his background in social justice, public policy, the environment and grassroots organizing has prepared him to lead the organization.
"FOTP was founded by a group of visionary Chicagoans who understood that parks were essential to the health and happiness of the city’s residents and that equitable access was being denied to Black and brown communities where parks were systemically left to deteriorate. Brian carries forward the organization’s tradition of impactful leadership in FOTP’s fight for enhanced, equitable access to Chicago’s parks and green spaces. New threats and challenges have emerged and, unfortunately, under resourced Black and brown communities continue to face neglect in terms of parks support, service, access and environmental stewardship. Brian understands this history and work as core to FOTP’s identity, keeping Chicago’s parks public, free and open green spaces where park users find respite and joy,” explains FOTP Board Chair Bronwyn Nichols Lodato.
He says FOTP deserves credit for nurturing local leadership in the parks, organizing a yearly Earth Day clean up with the Chicago Park District, preserving park space, and coordinating educational programming. The community-builder at heart wants to position the organization for success over the next 50 years.
“The organization has done a remarkable job ranging from protecting Chicago's lakefront from private development, to promoting local leadership through Park Advisory Councils, to holding public agencies accountable for transparent and equitable policies,” observes Gladstein. “I am excited to continue the legacy of Friends of the Parks to inspire, equip, and mobilize a diverse Chicago to support our parks and create public spaces where everyone can thrive.”
According to Lodato, “FOTP understands that parks can help to reinforce our democratic values as a citywide community, dating back to our work developing the community-based Park Advisory Council governance model. We look forward to Brian bringing to this role his vast experience, notably in community empowerment, engaging leaders at the community, city and state levels to forge new paths forward in support of healthy parks for healthy communities across this beautiful city."
“The 600-plus parks are gems that help Chicago sparkle and contribute to a larger ecosystem including housing, schools, and local businesses.” Gladstein explains. “Our work is to ensure that all residents have convenient access to well-resourced parks and programming that reflects the values and priorities of our people.”
Gladstein has been a Rogers Park resident for over 18 years and enjoys spending time in his local parks and beaches with his spouse of 21 years and two children, ages 18 and 20.
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