Graceland West Community AssociationThank you to our gardeners, visitors, and volunteers who made the 42nd annual Graceland West Garden Walk a success!! We look forward to seeing you again next year!
Join us Saturday, September 14, for our annual Graceland West Neighborhood Fest.
The 42nd Annual Graceland West Garden Walk kicks off this Sunday, July 28th at 1:00 at Warner Park and Gardens at 1446 West Warner Ave. See gracelandwest.org/garden-walk/ for more information and get a sneak peek at the map here:
It’s your last chance to sign to show your garden or to volunteer during the 42nd annual Graceland West Garden Walk!
Sunday, July 28, 1-5pm with potluck following in Warner Park & Gardens. The Graceland West Garden Walk welcomes gardens of all stripes and sizes. Sign up at gracelandwest.org/garden-walk/. Contact info@gracelandwest.org for more info.
Did you know that GWCA received a Chicago Excellence in Gardening Award last year? The award reads:
In recognition of hard work, creativity and commitment to making Chicago a healthier and more beautiful place, the Chicago Excellence in Gardening Awards Committee is proud to award an honorable mention to Graceland West Community Association (GWCA) Native Pollinator & Stormwater Absorption Sites on this day, September 24, 2023.
Enjoy our many beautiful neighborhood gardens during the walk on July 28th.
Yoga in the Park, tomorrow, Saturday 7/13, 9:30-10:35 at Warner Park and Gardens. Free event hosted by GWCA. Weather looks great. Bring a mat or throw rug. Arrive a little earlier. RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org.
Dear Neighbor,
We are just one month away from the 42nd annual Graceland West Garden Walk! Details include:
Please use this online form to sign up for the 2024 Garden Walk. Please fill out as much of the form as you are able to today; you can come back to the survey to add additional details through early July.
We will follow up with additional details, including day-of logistics, more information on the potluck, and opportunities for volunteering, which include:
Similar to last year, we are directing attendees to Warner Park & Gardens as a central hub for information tables, sign-in, and a limited number of paper maps. An online map available through will be included on publicity materials and signage (available through a QR code or hyperlink).
Please contact the Garden Walk Committee with general questions. Please email Chad with specific questions about the form or to sign up directly (chad.rathmann@gmail.com).
Between June 19 and today, June 25th, we have had 5 separate vehicle incidents:
Please contact info@gracelandwest.org if you know of any other vehicle or other crime incidents.
Please help deter crime in the neighborhood by doing the following:
Please join the Graceland West Community Association, GWCA. Membership dues help support our website, newsletters, meetings, events, an annual donation to Warner Park and Gardens and a scholarship for a college bound Lake View High School student.
SUMMER SOLSTICE POTLUCK AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY MEETING
After a wonderful yoga session in the park last Saturday, we’ll be back at Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner, this Thursday, June 20, 6:30 – 8 pm for our quarterly community meeting.
Judy Pollock, President of Chicago Birding Alliance (former Chicago Audubon) will return by neighborhood request and share information on local and migrating birds and their needs.
Neighbors Ben and Sarah Conley are certified TreeKeepers, who will provide support information on habitat for birds and tree care.
Neighborhood updates, Garden Walk sign-up, semi-annual Council election.
Summer Solstice Potluck, bring a finger food app, main or dessert to share. BYO beverages, compostable plates and reusable utensils.
Yoga in the Park, June 15, 2024
Yoga in the Park, tomorrow, Saturday 6/15, 9:50-11ish. Weather looks great. Bring a mat or throw rug. RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org.
You’ll be receiving the attached newsletter at your door this week. Visit gracelandwest.org for details on GWCA’s initiatives + updates & details on all these upcoming events. Save these dates and join us!
YOGA IN THE PARK
Saturday, June 15, 9:50 – 11:15 am
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
The event is free and open to all Graceland West residents over 18 years old. Bring your own mat or rug. Weather permitting. Please RSVP to info@gracelandwest.org by June 14 and check gracelandwest.org for possible additional summer dates.
SUMMER SOLSTICE ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, June 20, 6:30 – 8 pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
Judy Pollock, President of Chicago Birding Alliance (former Chicago Audubon) will return by neighborhood request and share information on local and migrating birds and their needs.
Neighbors Ben and Sarah Conley are certified TreeKeepers, who will provide support information on habitat for birds and tree care.
Neighborhood updates, Garden Walk sign-up, semi-annual Council election.
Summer Solstice Potluck, bring a finger food app, main or dessert to share. BYO beverages, compostable plates and reusable utensils.
42ND ANNUAL GARDEN WALK
Sunday, July 28, 1 – 5 pm
Throughout neighborhood, start at Warner Park and Gardens, 1444 W Warner
Sign up by 7/15 at gracelandwest.org/garden-walk to show your apartment, condo, house, school or business garden of any size and type.
Printed and virtual maps and garden descriptions will be available. Information Tables to include Master Gardeners, TreeKeepers, Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative and Pizzo Native Plant Landscape.
Invite family, friends, or neighbors to enjoy our neighborhood gardens with you.
LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Late Summer, Early Fall, Details shared when available
Lake View High School, 4015 N Ashland
In 1873 the citizens of Lake View Township voted to establish a High School. Built on land donated by the Graceland Cemetery Company, Lake View High School was constructed at a cost of $16,000 and opened its doors to 73 students on May 4th, 1874.
After a massive fire nearly destroyed the entire building in 1885, Lake View reopened in 1886, with a new four-story addition.
In 1916 a new 5-story building was erected and in 1939 another section was added.
Today Lake View High School encompasses 77,000 SF and a full-city block. A $27 million renovation project was completed in 2018.
44th ANNUAL GRACELAND WEST NEIGHBORHOOD FEST
Saturday, September 14, 3 – 8 pm
4100 block of Greenview between Belle Plaine & Warner
Now on Saturday!
DJ, euchre tournament, trivia contest, raffle, silent auction & experience parties, bounce house, basketball, miniature golf,
tie-dye t-shirt creation, magic show, pizza truck, cotton candy, beer, wine, craft cocktails and more!
FALL COMMUNITY MEETING
Thursday, September 26, 7 – 8:15pm
See website and social updates for topic and location
CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
Saturday, October 26, 11am – 1pm
Warner Park & Gardens, 1444 W Warner
11TH ANNUAL VOLUNTEER STREET LEAF CLEAN-UP
November 16-24
Kickoff 11/16 at 10am at Greenview & Belle Plaine, Berteau & Cullum
Reduce stormwater flooding and increase pedestrian safety.
WINTER COMMUNITY MEETING & HOLIDAY SOCIAL
Thursday, December 5, 6 – 7:30pm
See website and social updates for topic and location
Congratulations Lake View Class of 2024!
Congratulations graduates on receiving over $1.9M in scholarships and acceptances to over 180 Universities. Lake View is home to over 1476 students grade 9-12. Lake View’s Core Belief is Honor…for self, school, and society. Ownership…of learning and leading. Mastery…of skills and growth. Education…for the future.
4116 North Clark Zoning
Thank you Alders Pawar, Martin and Clay, the GWCA Council and neighbors for helping with the 5+ year vacancy at
the former 7-11. We are told that the 7-11 lease ends in July 2024. On May 7th GWCA held an in-person Community Meeting and joined Alderwoman Clay’s on-line Presentation with potential tenant Seth Boustead, Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music. ACM wants to bring their fourth neighborhood site to Graceland West to teach music and hold recitals and small indoor concerts. GWCA Members voted 89% Yes, 11% No to change zoning from RS-3 to B3-1 if ACM is the tenant. Members voted 84% Yes, 16% No to allow ACM to sell alcohol during indoor music concerts if ACM becomes the tenant.
9 Ashland Bus Extension
Alderman Martin has announced that the CTA 9 Ashland bus will be rerouted from its current turnaround on Clark
north of Irving Park to continue north on Ashland to a new terminal at the Ravenswood Metra Station. The extended route will also provide direct connections to the Metra, #78 Montrose bus, and #81 Lawrence bus. Additional details are forthcoming.
Pollinator Habitat Donations + 3 New Sites
Thanks to a $1,000 donation from Congressman Quigley and a matching $1,000 donation from neighbor Mark Signa, the GWCA Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Initiative established 3 new sites in May. Each will provide pollinator habitat and absorb more than 2,000 gallons of stormwater annually. All will be on our July 28 Garden Walk. Contact GWCA if you’d like to develop a corner parkway, or share information about your native plants, grasses, shrubs, trees, rain gardens, green roofs and green efforts.
Cicada Photos Wanted
Celebrate our 2024 double cicada brood emergence, the first in 221 years. Email photos to info@gracelandwest.org
Neighborhood History Sought
Lake View High School was established in 1874, 150 years ago and neighborhood development began in the early 1890’s. GWCA’s September meeting will focus on our history. Please contact membership@gracelandwest.org if you have a property built before 1900 or if your family has information or photos dating from 1870-1970.
Fest Donations + Volunteers Sought
Looking for individuals to help the day-of event in a variety of roles. Have a connection to a local business or a unique activity/experience you can donate to our silent auction? Please contact info@gracelandwest.org
Lake View High School celebrated the graduation of its class of 2024 over the weekend and it’s a very special year because LVHS is turning 150 years old. Stay tuned for more updates on Lake View High School’s 150th sesquicentennial anniversary (1874-2024).
