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
Although the kids are heading back to school, we still have a month left of our 2023 summer.
Looking back, we kicked off the summer with a very successful and engaging meeting. Special thanks to Rachel Kuipers and Jack Pizzo for sharing their knowledge with the group. Also a warm welcome to Chad Rathmann and Linda Welsh who were welcomed to the GWCA council. All meeting minutes are uploaded to our Archives page.
In July we had an amazing 41st annual GWCA Garden Walk. A very special thanks to all of the gardeners who welcomed the community into their enchanted spaces and to Ben Conley, Chad Rathmann and Linda Welsh for leading the organization of the walk.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail spotted during the 41st Annual GWCA Garden Walk
Looking ahead…
On September 10 we will have our annual neighborhood festival on Greenview between Belle Plaine and Warner. Hopefully this year mother nature will spare us the gale-force winds.
On September 23rd we’ll reconvene in the beautiful Warner Park and Gardens for our Q3 meeting and to vote on important matters related to a business on Irving Park.
Be on the lookout for detailed information about these upcoming events and subscribe to our calendar at the bottom of https://gracelandwest.org/calendar/. As always, feel free to drop a note to info@gracelandwest.org about any neighborhood-related curiosities.
Our 41st Annual GWCA Garden Walk will take place this Sunday, July 16th from 1 to 5 PM. See the map here. And additional info, including contacts, here.
Some of our beautiful native pollinators are introducing themselves on social media this week so please say hello on instagram and facebook.
Mark your calendars for the 41st annual Graceland West Garden Walk on Sunday, July 16, 1-5 pm. The first Garden Walk was held 41 years ago in 1982. The purpose has been for neighborhood gardeners to share their love of gardening, encourage gardening and beautification of the neighborhood, build community, meet each other and share a wide variety of gardening ideas, and for neighbors to meet neighbors, make friends and have fun.
You can find a digital map here. A printed map and guide will be available at Warner Park (1446 West Warner Ave), where you’ll also have the opportunity to talk with a Master Gardener and neighborhood presenters on prairie restoration, Graceland West’s tree canopy, and urban gardening.
The tour is self-directed; exhibiting gardens will display a Garden Walk marker in the front, side, and/or backyard.
Please contact the following GWCA members for additional questions on the Graceland West Garden Walk:
Ben Conley (4145 Greenview) ben@benconley.com
Chad Rathmann (1446 Belle Plaine) chad.rathmann@gmail.com
Linda Brummer Welsh (1437 Warner) LMBW5@comcast.net
2022 was a great year of re-emergence (of sorts) after a couple of years of flattening the COVID-19 curve and building immunity.
We kicked the year off after hibernating for the winter at our March meeting where we had a great time with Alderman Matt Martin and continued to build our relationship with Lake View High School, specifically their STEM program representatives and our very own Council member and teacher Joanne Yonan.
On Earth Day we cleaned up the streets around the high school with our Congressman Mike Quigely.
Our Q2 meeting took place in beautiful Warner Park and focused on the efforts of the GWCA Eco Committee, led by Council member Joel McFarland who is an Openlands certified TreeKeeper. We also heard from the Alderman’s office and CDOT about safe streets improvements. More on this topic in 2023.
The annual yard sale was moved up to June. Many thanks to Mark Nehring for his leadership.
The annual Garden Walk celebrated 40 years in 2022. 40 years! Fearlessly led by Donna Forsberg for one last time as she called this year her last as the chairperson. Mother Nature decided to keep us guessing throughout the day but allowed for plenty of time for all of our amazing neighborhood gardeners to share their efforts with guests.
The newly branded Graceland West Neighborhood Fest (formerly GWCAFest) was visited by Gale and Squall who dumped about 2 ft of flooding into the neighborhood, but that didn’t stop Sarah Maxwell, Barb Sullivan, Brad Pierce and their volunteers (including LVHS students) from toughing it out and waiting for the weather to clear for the neighborhood to emerge to enjoy Peg’s famous bake table, Randy’s age-less magic, Lisa B’s smooth vocals, Tacos, Tacos, Tacos (and Margaritas), and flame throwing (aka juggling)!
Our Q3 meeting finally brought us back into LVHS where we were introduced to the LVHS Robotics program (which is incredible)!
The Halloween party at Warner Park returned after a couple year hiatus and featured some amazing costumes, games and make your own candy apples. Special thanks to Andrea and Colin McLeod and their volunteers for hosting the event.
And sure enough, Mother Nature wasn’t finished with us when she gave us rain and 50 mph winds the morning of our Street Leaf Cleanup and the Pumpkin Smash at LVHS. Didn’t stop new Council member Paul Monzella from raking Cullom/Greenview until it was pristine. Throughout the week we totaled 182 bags, picked up by the Ward Superintendent the next week.
We finished off the year back at the Piggery, our gracious hosts for our March and December meetings, where we enjoyed pizza, pork and socializing.
The GWCA Council would like to recognize our Block Reps who helps to deliver flyers and spread important neighborhood news. Thank You!
Also, thanks to all who volunteered or attended any of the GWCA meetings and events and participated in the goal of the association to foster positive relationships between residents of the neighborhood, promote civic engagement and educate community members on issues of common interest such as crime prevention, neighborhood history and preservation, and community improvement. It takes a village!
The 40th Annual Graceland West Community Association Garden walk is TODAY, Sunday August 7th, from 2-6 PM. Please visit 4334 N Greenview to talk to our master gardeners and to grab a copy of this year’s map which you can also find below, along with this year’s flyer.
Today is the last day to sign up to show your garden at this weekend’s garden walk. If you’d like to show your front or back yard or know a neighbor who should be on our 40th Annual Garden Walk, please give Donna a call at 773.742.3939 or send her an email at donnaforsberg@sbcglobal.net.
