Our neighborhood will be in full bloom, and this year’s walk offers a fantastic lineup of hands-on activities for all ages. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Creative & Sensory Fun at Quantum LEEP Academy (1447 W Montrose Ave, enter through the alley via Pensacola near Greenview) • Sensory Bin – Perfect for little ones—let curious hands explore, play, and discover delightful textures and surprises in our hands-on sensory bin! • Rock Painting Station – Choose from a collection of smooth, beautiful stones and transform them into mini masterpieces to keep or hide as a garden surprise. • Wooden Circle Painting – Unleash your imagination! Kids and adults alike can decorate smaller wood pieces with paints, markers, and more—take your creation home and remember your day in the gardens.
Be sure to swing by Warner Park & Gardens or Quantum LEEP to pick up your Garden Walk activity sheet! • Garden Walk Haiku – Pause for a creative break and compose a garden-inspired haiku. All ages and poetry levels welcome—just three lines, a little imagination, and your garden observations! • Bud & Seek: Scavenger Hunt – How many treasures can you spot as you wander the neighborhood? Mark off items on your Bud & Seek card as you explore! • Garden Walk Bingo – Fill your bingo card by spotting garden features, flora, and fauna while on your garden walk!
Event Details • When: Sunday, July 27 | 1–5PM • Start: Warner Park & Gardens (1444 W Warner Ave) • Boundaries: Montrose, Clark, Irving Park, Ashland • Cost: Free & open to all—neighbors, friends, and plant lovers welcome!
Bring family, invite friends, and make a day of it. The Graceland West Garden Walk has something to inspire every visitor
Get ready for our 43rd Annual Graceland West Garden Walk! Join us on Sunday, July 27, from 1 to 5 PM.
You can find maps of participating gardens on our website, gracelandwest.org. For physical maps, more information, and to chat with Master Gardeners, head over to Warner Park & Gardens.
What’s New This Year:
We’re excited to feature two new Native Plant Pollinator Pathway & Stormwater Absorption Sites at Lake View High School. This fantastic addition is a collaborative effort with the Junior ROTC at LVHS, Friends of Lakeview, and GWCA. Plus, our Kids Pollinator Site at Warner Park is thriving and growing!
Volunteer Opportunities:
We are still looking for help to make this year’s Garden Walk a success! If you’re able to assist with set-up or put-away at Warner Park, please reach out to info@gracelandwest.org.
August Community Meeting & Welcoming Access Contemporary Music
Our August 12 GWCA Community Meeting at 7 PM is a special one! We’ll be gathering at the new home of Access Contemporary Music (ACM) at 4116 N. Clark.
ACM’s Executive Director, composer, and musician Seth Boustead, is hosting an exclusive open house for Graceland West residents. He’ll even perform a short piano piece for us! This is a fantastic opportunity to be among the first to see the transformation of the former 7-Eleven into ACM’s new space and officially welcome them to the neighborhood.
GWCA is represented by both the 46th and 47th Wards. 46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay will attend to welcome ACM and answer any Ward questions Graceland West 46th Ward residents may have. (Residents/businesses on the 1300 block of Irving Park, 4000 block of Clark, and east side of the 4000/4100 blocks of Southport are in the 46th Ward).
In addition to this exciting welcome, GWCA members will also vote on three council seats. We hope to see you there to participate in shaping our community and to give a warm Graceland West welcome to Seth and ACM! You’ll also catch Seth at our Graceland West Neighborhood Fest on Saturday, September 13, from 3-8 PM in the 4100 block of Greenview.
TODAY – 19th Police District Council Meeting: Conflict Resolution & Community Safety
Join the 19th Police District Council this Wednesday, July 23, at 6:30 PM at Alcott Elementary School (2625 N. Orchard St.) for their monthly meeting. This month’s meeting focuses on mediation – a powerful, free, and non-violent way to resolve disputes without involving the police or courts.
The Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR), a Chicago-based organization that has provided mediation services for over 40 years, will be covering everything from landlord-tenant issues to family disputes.
Dignity Best Practices, an organization dedicated to building field mediation programs where trained, unarmed first responders handle certain 911 calls involving conflicts will also be presenting. They helped launch a successful program in Dayton, Ohio, and are now working to help other cities create similar public safety resources.
RSVP here to join and learn about these valuable community resources!
Sign up by July 11th to show your garden or volunteer as part of Graceland West’s 43rd annual Garden Walk! Sign up through an online form by clicking here.
The 2025 Garden Walk will be on Sunday, July 27th, from 1-5pm, with a potluck following at 6pm.
Don’t have a garden? No problem! “Weed” love your help as a volunteer! Visit us at gracelandwest.org/garden-walk/ for more information.
Thursday, June 19 | Time: 6–7:30 PM | Location: Warner Park & Gardens (1444 W Warner)
Join the Graceland West Community Association for an evening of updates, conversation, environmental inspiration, and a delicious summer solstice potluck. Let’s come together to celebrate what we’ve accomplished and look ahead to what’s next.
Meeting Agenda Highlights
Annual Environmental Program & ECO Updates We’ll hear from:
Olivia Reda of Alliance for the Great Lakes on microplastics, health, and the actions we can take.
Kevin Serena of EXO Building Solutions will discuss green roof and water proofing solutions.
Our GWCA ECO Committee on our growing network of 14 native plant pollinator and stormwater absorption sites, including two new ones at Lake View High School planted by JROTC.
Updates on our Earth Week ’55 projects including our first ever Celebration of Cycling, the Pollinator sites at LVHS and the Warner Park Kid’s Pollinator site.
Garden Walk Planning Calling all gardeners! Our 43rd Annual Garden Walk is coming up on Sunday, July 27. Want to help organize it, show your garden or just be part of the fun? Come learn more and sign up!
Council Election Three of your neighbors—Bruce, Colin, and Janice—are running to serve on the GWCA Council. Interested in joining too? Let us know! (Eligible voting members must reside in the neighborhood and be current on dues.)
Community Thanks & Neighborhood Projects
Big thanks to volunteers helping with bioswales and traffic circles—your work helps reduce flooding and beautify the neighborhood.
We’re also fundraising to support continued planting at Lake View High School—every dollar helps create more green spaces.
Summer Solstice Potluck
Bring a dish to share, your own beverage + container, and reusable utensils. The pot luck will begin as soon as the meeting concludes. We’d love help setting up tables at 5:25 PM and putting them away at 7:30 PM. Volunteers are also needed to help run the potluck!
Join us for the 43rd annual Graceland West Garden Walk!
Sunday, July 27th, 2025 1-5pm Potluck to follow at 6pm (Warner Park and Gardens)
Sign up to show your garden or volunteer by clicking here to fill out the participant form. 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 mid-June.
The Graceland West Garden Walk welcomes gardens of all stripes and sizes. Through June we will work to create an initial participant list. We will follow up over the course of spring and summer with additional details.
Please contact the following for additional questions on the Graceland West Garden Walk:
Chad Rathmann at chad.rathmann@gmail.com Linda Brummer Welsh at LMBW5@comcast.net
Thank 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.
We will follow up with additional details, including day-of logistics, more information on the potluck, and opportunities for volunteering, which include:
Staffing the registration table at Warner Park & Gardens
Set-up at Warner Park & Gardens
Takedown after potluck at Warner Park & Gardens
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).
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!
Events
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
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
News
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.
Greenview and CuylerGreenview and CuylerSouthport and Warner
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
