Discover Granville Avenue
We meandered from West Ridge to Edgewater Glen at Lake Michigan on this 3-mile walk along Granville Avenue. The first half of the walk took us from the North Shore Channel to Ridge Avenue where the newly opened Misericordia's Hearts & Flour Bakery and Cafe is located. We met local residents and organizations' leaders—Larry Shure, Andrea Keirn, Evelyn Miks—who told tell us about the West Ridge neighborhood and helped us understand the assets, the challenges of the communities that Granville Avenue serves.
The second half of the walk picked up from the bakery and stopped at the Raven Theatre, where Managing Director Markie Gray gave us a tour. We ended at Berger Park at the Lakefront, where we had lunch overlooking Lake Michigan.
Larry Shure has worked as a city planner and preservationist, including 16 years with the Historic Preservation Division of the City of Chicago. In his spare time he runs the Ultra Local Geography blog, which examines neighborhood development and architectural design. He formerly served as a board member of the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society and is a CPS parent. Larry lives within shouting distance from Candlelite Pizza. Larry provided one of his drawings to illustrate our invitation.
Andrea Keirn is a West Ridge resident and a current board member of the Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society. Owner of a registered Chicago Bungalow, Andrea met us to talk about the Chicago Bungalow Association and its role in helping homeowners connect with one another.
Evelyn Miks is a West Ridge resident. She worked with AFSCME for over 20 years as a union organizer and then Regional Assistant Director. Her background is also in community organizing. Now retired she has been active with the West Ridge Community Organization (WRCO) to promote economic development and establish a multi-cultural center. Formed in 2005, WRCO is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization in Chicago's West Ridge community. Their mission is to empower residents to play meaningful roles in enhancing their community's racial, economic, and cultural diversity.
Markie Gray is the Managing Director of Raven Theatre. The Theatre is in its 39th year of providing revivals of modern dramas and thought-provoking new works to the Northside Chicago community, as well as theatrical education to the children and schools in the surrounding neighborhoods. Founded in 1983, Raven moved into its current home in 2002.
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022, with Larry Shure.
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022, with Larry Shure
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022, with Andrea Keirn.
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022 with Evelyn Miks.
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022, Raven Theatre.
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022. At the Raven Theatre with Markie Gray.
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022
Granville Discovery Walk, June 11, 2022