The Story
“Beneath the surface”
https://chicagoreader.com/city-life/graceland-west-native-plants/
by Yiannis Mastoras
Other / Not Listed Here, October 8, 2025
The Pitch
Hi Savannah,
I’d like to pitch a City Life feature (1,000–1,200 words) on the future of Chicago’s historic boulevard system as climate infrastructure. The boulevards were designed in the 19th century as an “emerald necklace” of trees and parkways, but today many stretches are heavily trafficked, underfunded, or neglected. At the same time, South and West Side neighborhoods along these boulevards face some of the city’s worst flooding, heat stress, and tree canopy loss.
The story will explore whether the boulevards could be reimagined as green infrastructure—absorbing stormwater, cooling overheated blocks, and acting as wildlife corridors. I’ll report from extreme cases like Garfield Park and South Lawndale, where disinvestment has left boulevards in poor condition, and compare them to stretches like Logan Square, where restoration is underway. I’ll talk with city officials (Our Roots Chicago, the new stormwater strategy team), local environmental groups (Openlands, TREEmendous Lawndale), and residents who live along these streets. By connecting Olmsted’s original vision to Chicago’s climate challenges today, the piece asks: Can these overlooked landscapes become the city’s hidden defense against rising heat and water?
If accepted, I can complete the reporting and writing within two weeks and submit the story by October 17.
Best,
Yiannis Mastoras