Dear Neighbors and Friends,
As we welcome 2026, we wanted to take a moment to look back at a vibrant year in Graceland West. 2025 was defined by the launch of exciting new traditions, strong partnerships with our local schools and businesses, and a renewed focus on the future of our neighborhood.
Here is a look at what we accomplished together.
New Traditions & Community Milestones
This year we introduced new ways to gather and celebrated significant milestones for our neighborhood partners.
- Warner Park Winter Wonderland: We launched a dazzling new tradition in November with the first-ever lighting of Warner Park. It was wonderful to share hot chocolate with neighbors as our park sparkled for the holidays.
- First Annual Celebration of Cycling: We hosted our inaugural celebration of cycling, bringing together bike enthusiasts of all ages to promote safe riding and sustainable transit in our community.
- Welcoming “The CheckOut”: We were thrilled to host the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Access Contemporary Music (ACM) at their new venue, “The CheckOut” (formerly the 7-Eleven). It is a joy to have a new cultural anchor in the neighborhood.
- Neighborhood Fest & Garden Walk: We continued our longest-running traditions with the 44th Annual Fest—featuring Five Squared Pizza and Off Color Brewing—and the 43rd Annual Garden Walk, which showcased the incredible greenery of our community.
Greening Graceland West
Our commitment to sustainability and beautification reached new heights this year through collaboration and education.
- Pollinator Pathways & LVHS Partnership: We significantly expanded our pollinator habitats, most notably with new installations at Lake View High School, supported by the LVHS JROTC and the school’s first-ever Gardening Club, and our annual Kids installation event at Warner Park.
- Leaf Cleanup & Pumpkin Smash: Our eco-efforts bookended the fall season, from the “Pumpkin Smash” composting event to the Annual Street Leaf Cleanup, where volunteers cleared storm drains to prevent flooding.
- Yoga in the Park: We kept moving all summer and early fall with our regular Saturday morning yoga sessions in Warner Park.
Governance & Community Voices
Our quarterly community meetings were packed with special guests and important dialogue about the direction of Graceland West.
- Q1 (March): We kicked off the year at LEEP Academy with 46th Ward Alderwoman Clay and Jenson Allen from the Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum, who joined us to discuss ward updates, public safety, and the history of our beautiful neighbor to the east.
- Q2 (June): We focused on environmental sustainability with a meeting at Warner Park and Gardens, hosting Olivia Reda from the Alliance for the Great Lakes and discussing green roofing initiatives with Kevin Serena.
- Q3 (August): Following the ribbon cutting, we held our summer meeting at ACM’s “The CheckOut,” enjoying a special piano performance by Seth Boustead.
- Q4 (November): Responding to your survey feedback regarding local history, we hosted Marty Sandberg and Cristina Gallo from Via Chicago to discuss adaptive reuse and preserving our neighborhood’s architectural legacy.
Looking Ahead
As we step into 2026, we are excited to continue these efforts but we need your input! Please help us define the next decade for Graceland West. The initial feedback from our “Shaping Graceland West’s Future” Survey directly led to the architectural preservation topic at our November meeting. If you have not yet completed the survey, please take a few minutes to share your priorities with the GWCA Council.
Thank you for your membership, your volunteer hours, and your spirit. It’s neighbors like you who make Graceland West a true community.
Happy New Year!
The Graceland West Community Association Council
info@gracelandwest.org
