Palmer Square Residents Rally for Safer Streets Around Historic Arboretum

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Palmer Square · December 16, 2025

Palmer Square residents are taking action to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety around the neighborhood's beloved park. Eddie Lehwald, a resident who moved to the area two years ago, is spearheading a community survey to gather feedback about traffic safety concerns on the roads surrounding Palmer Square Park.

Working with progressive neighborhood groups Northwest Neighborhood Alliance and Strong Towns Chicago, Lehwald hopes to reconfigure streets around the popular park to slow traffic and create a more walkable community environment. The initiative comes just months after Palmer Square Park received Level I arboretum accreditation in September 2025, becoming the first Chicago Park District property to earn this prestigious designation.

"We've seen success with similar initiatives like 'Meet Me On Milwaukee' in Wicker Park that will return next year," Lehwald noted. Residents interested in contributing their ideas can complete the survey online through the neighborhood group's website. The feedback will help shape potential changes similar to the Chicago Department of Transportation's Make Way For People program, which supports transformative public-private partnerships to enhance street safety and community spaces.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/12/05/how-can-palmer-square-park-area-be-safer-a-neighbor-wants-your-feedback/
2. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/palmer-john-mcauley-square-park
3. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/07/palmer-square-park-named-chicago-park-districts-first-arboretum/