Bucktown Fans Rally to Honor Late Street Artist 'Dont Fret' With Park Renaming Campaign

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Bucktown · March 6, 2026

Bucktown may soon have a park named after one of Chicago's most beloved street artists. Friends and family of the late artist known as Dont Fret have launched a campaign to rename Park No. 567 — a small, currently numbered green space on Milwaukee Avenue connected to The 606's Bloomingdale Trail — in his memory, nearly a year after his passing.

For years, Dont Fret was a legendary figure in Chicago's street art scene, particularly around his native Wicker Park and Bucktown. He was celebrated for his signature wheat paste characters and murals that wove social commentary into the everyday fabric of city life, appearing on buildings and streets not only in Chicago but in New York, Miami, Denver, London, Helsinki, and São Paulo. His work was also prominently featured in the Chicago-based Netflix series "Easy," and in 2020 the City of Chicago commissioned him for a sweeping 55-portrait installation along the Riverwalk titled "The People In Your Neighborhood." The artist kept his identity largely private; after his death, his family asked that only his first name, Cooper, be shared publicly.

The renaming push began organically — friends gathered at Park No. 567 for a memorial shortly after his death, and the idea to honor him there took hold. An online petition has since been launched as the first official step in the city's park renaming process. For Bucktown residents who walk the 606 Trail regularly, this campaign is a meaningful way to keep the neighborhood's rich creative spirit alive. Sign the petition, share it with neighbors, and help make Dont Fret Park a permanent part of Bucktown's identity.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/02/dont-fret-park-friends-fans-hope-to-rename-bucktown-park-after-late-chicago-artist/