Galewood's Best-Kept Secret Is a Five-Acre Prairie — And Volunteers Are Working to Restore It This Summer

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Galewood · July 13, 2026

Tucked behind baseball diamonds and a historic fieldhouse, one of Galewood's most unexpected treasures is quietly thriving — and the neighbors behind it want your help to keep it that way. Rutherford Sayre Natural Area, a five-acre native prairie remnant within Rutherford Sayre Park, features a walking path that winds both over and under the railroad tracks, offering a slice of Illinois landscape that predates the city itself. It's the kind of place that stops first-time visitors in their tracks.

The natural area is co-stewarded by Tom Drebenstedt — a Galewood Neighbors, Inc. board member and longtime neighborhood champion — along with a dedicated crew of local volunteers who show up season after season to pull invasive plants, restore native species, and keep the trail accessible. Galewood Neighbors, Inc. is actively promoting volunteer opportunities at Rutherford Sayre Park this summer, making it one of the easiest ways for residents — new and old — to roll up their sleeves and invest directly in the neighborhood they love.

With Galewood Park's next community event on the calendar for July 24 and summer programming running strong through the end of the month, there's no shortage of ways to get outside and connect. Whether you're a seasoned steward or just curious about what a real Illinois prairie looks like in the middle of Chicago, Rutherford Sayre is worth the walk. Find volunteer sign-up details and stay connected with everything happening on the block at galewoodneighbors.org.

Sources:
1. https://chicago.citycast.fm/neighborhood-guides/get-to-know-galewood
2. https://galewoodneighbors.org/
3. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/galewood-park