Thank you to everyone who lent a hand, stopped by to chat, or helped organize the August 25th neighborhood cleanup and community gathering. It’s events like these that make Graceland West such a great place to live.
A huge thank you to local high schooler Jay Gillman for organizing and leading the cleanup effort as part of his work with Cleanup Club Chicago!
We had 24 neighbors participate—including local kids, new neighbors, and even a friendly dog! The weather was perfect and the collective effort made a visible difference around Lake View High School and the surrounding blocks.
Afterward, we gathered at the northeast corner of LVHS for pizza, sodas, and good conversation. The location was great as several passing neighbors stopped by to say hello, check out what we were up to, and join in.
GWCA Board Election Update
During our quick outdoor meeting, we officially re-elected Linda and Paul to the GWCA Council! Their terms run through December 31, 2027. Thank you, Linda and Paul, for your continued dedication to our community.
If you are interested in volunteering as part of the community association or have any questions about the organization, please reach out to info@gracelandwest.org.
Other News
Thanks to everyone who helped search for Oreo and return him to his family.
Save the date for our annual Neighborhood-wide Festival. Saturday September 19th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Make a Difference in Our Neighborhood – Tuesday, August 25th!
Next week, we’re coming together for a neighborhood cleanup, and some well-deserved pizza.
Whether you have 15 minutes or can stay for the whole hour, your hands will help us make our neighborhood cleaner.
Details
When: Tuesday, August 25th | 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where to Meet: The Traffic Circle at Belle Plaine & Greenview (adjacent to Lake View High School)
What to Bring: Just yourself! (We’ll have everything you need.)
Schedule
5:30 PM – Neighborhood Cleanup – Led by local high school student Jay Gillman, we’ll head out to tidy up key areas around the neighborhood including the LVHS field, playlot, parking lot, and adjacent parkways
6:15 PM – Pizza in Warner Park -After we wrap up, walk over to Warner Park to relax, grab a slice of pizza and meet your neighbors AND we’ll include a 10 minute 3rd Quarter GWCA meeting for members to vote on two GWCA Council positions
Why Come? It’s a fantastic way to get outdoors, meet your neighbors, support local youth leadership, and help keep our community looking its best, plus, free pizza on us!
Just a quick reminder that Yoga in the Park kicks off tomorrow, Sunday, August 9, from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM in Warner Park and Gardens!
Join us and our instructor, Devyn Kerpan, for a refreshing morning flow in the fresh air. Don’t forget to grab your mat, a water bottle, and a towel to place under your mat. We can’t wait to see you on the grass!
Exciting News for the Lake View High School Field
New nets have replaced torn nets on LVHS field. Looks great and just in time for the ’26-’27 school year! Thank you to Alderman Martin for securing this safety funding. Hopefully the high-flying scooter was harvested from the old net and returned to the rightful owner!
Now that the grass is healthy, free outdoor yoga in Warner Park is back! We are so excited to kick off Yoga in the Park this Sunday, August 9, from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM.
This all-levels event is the perfect way to move your body, soak up some fresh air, and connect with our community.
Meet Your Instructor: Devyn Kerpan
We are thrilled to have Devyn Kerpan leading our session this week!
“By guiding students through their practice, Devyn aims to create space for individuals to experience the transformative power of movement, discover just how strong and capable they are, and feel connected to both themselves and the world around them.”
A former dancer who discovered her passion for yoga at age 15, Devyn brings incredible energy, warmth, and strength to every class she teaches. Her vibrant approach to movement will leave you feeling grounded, energized, and ready for the weekend.
Event Details
When: Sunday, August 9 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Where: Warner Park and Gardens
What to Bring: Your yoga mat, a water bottle, and an open mind! (Pro-tip: Bring a towel to put under your mat for grass moisture).
No pre-registration is required. Bring a friend, grab your favorite spot in the grass, and let’s move together!
The gardens are in full bloom and ready for your visit! We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow, Sunday, July 12, 2026, for the 44th Annual GWCA Garden Walk.
Just a quick reminder:
Timing: The walk runs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Check-In: Start your tour at Warner Park (1446 West Warner Ave) to grab your maps and meet our three excellent master gardeners.
Explore: Once you have your map, wander the neighborhood boundaries (Montrose to Irving Park, Clark to Ashland) at your own pace.
Identify: Look for the official Garden Walk markers to see which beautiful spaces are open to tour.
Check www.gracelandwest.org for any last-minute updates. We’ll see you in the gardens!
We are thrilled to invite you to the 44th Annual Graceland West Community Association Garden Walk, happening this Sunday, July 12, 2026from 1 to 4 PM.
Spend your afternoon soaking in the beauty of our neighborhood gardens. Whether you are looking for landscape inspiration or just want a relaxing walk through the community, this self-directed tour is the perfect way to spend a summer Sunday.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Start Point: Head to Warner Park (1446 West Warner Ave) to pick up your maps and garden descriptions.
Expert Advice: While you are at the park, make sure to chat with our featured Master Gardener and local presenters.
Keep an eye out for Garden Walk markers in the front of participating homes to know which gardens are ready for visitors. Visit www.gracelandwest.org for more information. We can’t wait to see you there!
Our neighborhood gardens are absolutely bursting with life and we can’t wait for one of our favorite neighborhood traditions: the 44th Annual Graceland West Community Association Garden Walk!
This year’s walk takes place on Sunday, July 12, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. If you’ve been on the fence about showcasing your yard, patio, or hidden oasis, this is your official final sign-up call!
Whether you have a meticulously landscaped backyard, a front-porch pollinator paradise, or a charming side-yard veggie patch, we’d love for you to share it. You don’t need a perfect, professional garden to participate—this event is all about celebrating community, sharing inspiration, and enjoying the unique green spaces within our boundaries (Montrose to Irving Park, and Clark to Ashland).
How It Works
Self-Directed Tour: Neighbors and visitors will explore the neighborhood at their own pace.
If you sign up, you’ll receive a Garden Walk marker to display proudly in your front, side, and/or backyard so attendees know your garden is open for viewing.
The walk kicks off at Warner Park (1446 West Warner Ave), where attendees can pick up maps, read garden descriptions, and chat with a Master Gardener and local presenters.
Ready to Share Your Garden?
Don’t wait until it’s too late! We are finalizing our event maps and descriptions very soon. Fill out this form right now to register your garden as an official stop on the tour:
We have a lot of exciting Graceland West updates, events, and community news to share with you this weekend. Take a look below at what’s happening in and around the neighborhood!
SATURDAY JUNE 13: SNA Native Plant Sale If you are reading this on Friday or Saturday morning, don’t miss out! The Southport Neighbors Association (SNA) Native Plant Sale is happening Saturday June 13, from 9:00 AM until sold out. Come down Southport, right under the Southport Brown Line station, to grab some beautiful new additions for your garden.
Storm Cleanup & Tree Debris Following the major storms our area experienced this week, many blocks are dealing with fallen branches. If you need to request the removal of tree debris on public property, please remember to file a request through the CHI 311 app (or via 311chicago.org) so the city can address it efficiently.
Kid’s Pollinator Planting: A Huge Success! Our recent Kid’s Pollinator Planting event was an absolute blast. The kids did a fabulous job getting their hands dirty for a great cause. Next time you pass by Warner Park, be sure to stop by and see just how well their new plantings are doing!
New Art Installation at Warner Park The Warner Park and Gardens board is thrilled to announce the permanent installation of Sentimental Sentry by Charles Yost. This beautiful sculpture is dedicated in loving remembrance of Lois Buenger (Park Founder) and Georgie Yost (Park President). Please go check it out next time you visit the park, and keep an eye out for news regarding an upcoming official dedication ceremony.
44th Annual Garden Walk (Sunday, July 12, 1–4 PM) The countdown is on! Our neighborhood’s signature summer event is less than a month away. If you’d like to showcase your hard work this year, please use this link to register your garden if you haven’t already. It is always a wonderful day for the community!
Volunteer Opportunity: The garden walk planners are still looking for an enthusiastic neighbor to lead the post-walk potluck for our displaying gardeners. If you’re interested in helping out, please reach out to Pat (pat.spaulding@comcast.net) or Linda (lmbw5@comcast.net).
POSTPONED: Fitness in the Park Fitness in the Park, led by our wonderful neighbor Kelly, is being temporarily rescheduled. We want to give Warner Park’s new grass plenty of time to become strongly rooted before we start working out on it! This is a free event you won’t want to miss, so watch your inbox for future scheduling announcements.
POSTPONED: June Environmental Meeting Please note that the June Environmental Meeting has also been postponed due to the new grass in the park. We will share the rescheduled date and meeting topics in an upcoming e-blast and in the physical newsletter delivered to your door.
Zoning Update: 1410-12 Warner Ave. Neighbors are currently gathering information regarding the rezoning changes requested by the property owner of this site. The community is reviewing the details, so please watch for future updates as we learn more.
Thank you for making our neighborhood such a vibrant place to live. Have a wonderful weekend, and we hope to see you at the plant sale tomorrow!
Spring is in full bloom, and our local butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds are looking for a place to call home. That’s where our amazing community kids come in!
Our annual Kids Pollinator Planting Garden Event returns this Sunday, May 31, from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Warner Park and Gardens.
Pollinators do a massive job for our planet, helping grow the fruits, veggies, and flowers we love. They need our help to find safe, healthy places to feed and rest. Our kids will create a pollinator sanctuary that will support local wildlife all summer long.
Please dress your kiddos in clothes that are okay to get a little dirty. If you have kid-sized gardening gloves and a hand shovel, feel free to bring them along—otherwise, bare hands work beautifully, too!
One quick favor to help our park: You might notice some roped-off sections at Warner Park and Garden. The grass has been freshly reseeded. Please help us keep the kiddos (and grown-ups!) off those spots so the new grass can thrive. Because we’re giving the lawn some time to mature, we are postponing our upcoming events like Yoga and Fitness in the Park. Our pollinator planting is happening in a separate area, completely clear of the baby grass.
