GRO History

2023 - GRO launches its new website

With the help of local IT professionals, GRO launched its new website in 2023. President Connie Barnes recruited volunteers Amy Kamin and Ross Sadler to freshen up the appearance, navigation, and functionality of the site to better serve our community. We hope that our website becomes a go-to resource for our neighbors looking to learn more about our organization and neighborhood.

Our previous website was maintained by Tom Kosinski, whom we’d like to thank. We are so grateful for his work.

The old site:

The new site:

New GRO website www.thegreaterrockwell.org

2021 - Saving Our Ash

Thanks to our “Save Your Ash” fundraiser, GRO collected $9,588.30 to treat and protect all the ash trees in our boundaries from the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). A total of 86 trees received a life-saving treatment in August 2021 which will protect them from the EAB for up to three more years.

You'll know your tree has been treated when you see the new silver tag nailed on the street side of the tree. The charm indicates the year of treatment (2021) among other information.

We will need to continually raise funds to treat our trees, however, each treatment ensures that our neighborhood maintains the mature tree canopy so many of us have come to appreciate.

Thank you to Dana Dougherty for this successful campaign to save and replant trees throughout the neighborhood!

A worker in an orange shirt kneeling on grass, checking equipment near a large tree. Several parked cars and residential buildings are visible in the background.

A sign with black text and chainsaw icons that reads, "This tree is in danger! Save your ash! The Emerald Ash Borer is attacking and killing all ash trees in Chicago. This tree will die soon without treatment." The lower part of the image shows a donation plea and contact information for the Greater Rockwell Organization to help save ash trees.

A metal tag attached to the bark of a tree, engraved with the words '2021 Savatree Tree-AgE EAB'.

A man in orange and black work clothes kneeling next to a tree and using a hydraulic tool for tree care or removal.

2020 - GRO starts its annual Holiday Gift Drive

Starting in 2020, GRO began organizing a Holiday Gift Drive to benefit kids and families involved with Lawrence Hall and Toys for Tots Each year since, our generous neighbors have donated enough gifts to fill a Prius twice! We are so grateful for the generosity of our neighbors and for the work current GRO VP, Jewel Davies, puts into this charitable effort.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Back of a vehicle filled with toys and books, including a large box of Christmas-themed toys, a cardboard box with various items, a plush Mickey Mouse, and a Star Wars book, all for a toy and clothing drive.

A woman with light skin, brown curly hair, and sunglasses on her head, smiling in the backseat of a car, with Christmas-themed gift boxes and cardboard boxes around her.

People standing outside a brick building with a sign that reads 'Lawrence Hall'. They are posing around piles of bags and boxes filled with holiday gifts and supplies, possibly for a charity event or donation drive.

2020 - COVID-19 Summer & GRO’s Mariachi Mask-Erade!

In August 2020, Chicago was still under a mandated stay-at-home order, and folks were still encouraged to mask when outside.

GRO was unable to obtain a block party permit allowing us to gather for our neighborhood summer party, but we knew we needed to do something to bring neighbors together (but still 6 feet apart). So, we got creative.

Jewel Davies, our Event Chair, organized a strolling mariachi band down Leland Avenue. The talented musicians of Cielito Lindo brought the entertainment to our neighbors and much needed sounds of joy to our neighborhood. It was an amazing evening that brought so many neighbors outside to enjoy the brief performance.

A group of people, including children, playing musical instruments and holding a sign that reads 'Please Social Distance' on a city sidewalk during daytime. Some are wearing masks, and there are trees and buildings in the background.

A group of young musicians performing on the street with instruments including a trumpet, guitar, and ukulele. They are standing beside a wagon labeled '$ Donation Wagon' collecting donations, and some are wearing casual and semi-formal clothing. People are standing near parked cars and across the street on a residential street lined with trees and brick buildings.

Group of people standing on a sidewalk holding a protest banner with a green tree and residential houses in the background.

A group of young people performing music outdoors on a city street, with some wearing masks. They have guitars and a trumpet, and there is a donation wagon with balloons nearby.

2007 - “Our Kind of Town” mural installed

In 2007, GRO hired local artist Karl Raack to design and paint a mural featuring people and buildings from our neighborhood. A contest was held to name the mural upon its completion in September 2007, and the winner was Patti Huetteman with the name “Our Kind of Town.”

Residential apartment building with surrounding garden and four trees, several people walking or standing, including a woman with a stroller and a woman in a pink dress.

2006 - Rockwell Station Redesign

On Sunday, February 19, 2006, the old Rockwell Station was closed after serving the community since its construction in 1907. The station was demolished and rebuilt as part of the CTA's Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project.

GRO held a Rockwell Station Closing Party. The party included a farewell sunset ride to Kimball and back and was followed by a pizza party with a toast to what would come.

The new ADA-compliant Rockwell Station opened on August 16, 2006.

Watercolor painting of a modern, glass-front building with a sloped roof and a surrounding wooden deck, adjacent to a railway track.

A street scene with a vintage subway train stopped at a curbside station under renovation, with a brick building and construction fencing surrounding the area.

Group of people standing in line outdoors, with some sitting on a bench, in front of a unique art installation featuring black spherical objects hanging on strings.

Painting of a train station platform at dusk with overhead lamp posts, utility poles, and a building with stairs and deck area.

2000’s - Sleigh Ride Down Rockwell

GRO coordinated a sleigh ride down Rockwell Avenue in the early 2000s. Secretary Bea Tersch and (former chair) Sara Spitz organized this event to help GRO neighbors celebrate in style. Bea Tersch is pictured far right, top. Sara Spitz is pictured far right, bottom.

People gathered around two draft horses decorated for a parade, with buildings and a sign reading 'Rockwell Crossing' and 'Lido Chef' in the background.

A parade float shaped like a red sleigh with green trim and decorated with Christmas wreaths with red bows, carrying people dressed in Christmas attire, including Santa hats. The float is on the street in front of a brick building with large windows and balconies decorated for Christmas. People are gathered around watching the parade, and some are dressed warmly for winter.

People participating in a holiday event on train tracks, with one person holding a wreath with a sign that says "FREE! FEEL!" and a woman wearing sunglasses and a pink coat.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a magenta jacket and red scarf standing outdoors during winter, holding white gloves. Behind her are parked cars, a brick building, leafless trees decorated with red ribbons and snowflake ornaments, and part of a street scene with a bicycle and a parking meter.

GRO has been up to a lot since we were founded in 1979, and we aren’t finished bragging yet! We created the Corner Gardens and even helped with the renovations at Jacob Park!

Check back often to learn more about why your membership makes a difference (and if you have any old photos to share in your basements, please reach out)!