Friends of Lakeview

About Friends of Lakeview

Friends of lakeview: Creating a Neighborhood for Life.

Friends of Lakeview is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and partner of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce and Special Service Area (SSA) 27. By leveraging individual and corporate donations, grants, and other sources of funding, it supports a resilient local economy and high quality of life for the benefit of businesses and residents in Chicago's Lakeview community by improving and enhancing public streets and spaces, creating memorable experiences, and promoting the neighborhood.

Friends of Lakeview FAQs

Who is Friends of Lakeview?
Friends of Lakeview is a non-profit organization made up of Lakeview residents and business owners who are working to create a Neighborhood for Life.

What is Friends of Lakeview?
Through outreach and fundraising Friends of Lakeview hosts memorable events & implements imaginative public space enhancements that help create a Neighborhood for Life.

What events does Friends of Lakeview coordinate?
Friends of Lakeview engages the community & creates imaginative destinations through memorable events such as Lakeview Taco Fest and Trick or Treat on Southport, in addition to the weekly Low Line Farmers Market at the Southport Brown Line Station.

What other groups do you partner with?
Friends of Lakeview is a nonprofit partner of the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce and Special Service Area 27, a funding mechanism to raise money for services to a designated mixed-use area through a property tax levy in order to supplement City services.

How do you determine what events and public spaces to host?
Our events and public space initiatives are based on a combination of long-time neighborhood traditions (such as Taco Fest and Trick or Treat on Southport!) as well as initiatives derived from our Lakeview Area Master Plan (the Low Line!) and are prioritized in conjunction with our partners at the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce and Special Service Area 27.

How can I get involved?
The best way to support Friends of Lakeview is to join us in our community! Please consider attending our events & shopping at our Low Line Market You can also volunteer at our events, and if you would like to learn more about joining our Friends of Lakeview Board, please contact our Friends of Lakeview CEO, Becca Girsch at becca@lrvcc.org.

Can I make a donation to Friends of Lakeview?
We love this question! Attending our events is a great way to support our work. You can donate directly to Friends of Lakeview, and you can also support Friends of Lakeview’s Low Line project through our Give Lively page. Stay tuned for more information about new ways you can donate and support Friends of Lakeview.

Still have questions?
Please contact our Friends of Lakeview CEO, Becca Girsch at becca@lrvcc.org.

Our Program Areas

Community EventSFriends of Lakeview seeks to create memorable experiences through community events in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, in order to strengthen the sense of attachment to the neighborhood, attract consumers to the local business distri… — Community EventS
Friends of Lakeview seeks to create memorable experiences through community events in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, in order to strengthen the sense of attachment to the neighborhood, attract consumers to the local business district, and strengthen community bonds by connecting neighbors to each other.

Public Space EnhancementsThrough beautification, public art and placemaking activities, the organization seeks to develop and enhance public spaces to create and improve parks, neighborhood streetscapes, and community gathering spaces. — Public Space Enhancements
Through beautification, public art and placemaking activities, the organization seeks to develop and enhance public spaces to create and improve parks, neighborhood streetscapes, and community gathering spaces.

Planning & AdvocacyFriends of Lakeview conducts planning and research activities to identify new strategies and programs to strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life. — Planning & Advocacy
Friends of Lakeview conducts planning and research activities to identify new strategies and programs to strengthen the local economy and improve quality of life.

Projects Supported

Lakeview Low-Line

The Lakeview Low-Line re-envisions the half-mile space beneath the CTA ‘L’ tracks between Southport and Lincoln avenues as an exciting Chicago art destination and a fun and dynamic path connecting Lakeview.

Lakeview Public Art Program

Friends of Lakeview works together with local partners to fund the installation and exhibition of new works of art, including "Urbs in Horto" (2019) by Louise "Ouizi" Jones & the three “Koi” panels by Jeremy Novy (2023) located at the Low-Line Phase II .

Low-Line Farmers Market

The Low-Line Market is a conveniently located and carefully curated farmers market, with the goal of creating an experience where neighbors can meet and gather while having greater access to a collection of high-quality produce, proteins, flowers and artisanal foods from local farms and vendors.

Lakeview Taco Fest

The glorious taco gets the spotlight at this annual food and music festival, which takes place in September along the Southport Corridor.

Trick or Treat on Southport

The neighborhood's favorite fall tradition features family-friendly activities, local food vendors, craft beer, music, and trick-or-treating at local businesses.

Adopt-A-Tree Program

Friends of Lakeview raises funds to plant new trees throughout the residential portions of Lakeview.

Lakeview Low-Line

The Lakeview Low-Line re-envisions the half-mile space beneath the CTA ‘L’ tracks between Southport and Lincoln avenues as an exciting Chicago art destination and a fun and dynamic path connecting Lakeview.

Learn More