by BRIAN NADIG

The North Mayfair Improvement Association at its meeting Feb. 6 discussed planting of "pollinator waystations" on more parkway corners and outlined planned events for 2019.

Pollinator gardens featuring native plants and serving as a haven for birds, bees, butterflies and other insects beneficial to the environment have been planted at seven corners in North Mayfair since 2015, according to association members.

Association environment director Jenny Llakmani said that the idea for the waystations stems from LaBagh Woods being a stopover destination for migrating birds.

"People come from all over to our forest preserve to bird watch in the spring and fall. We wanted to take advantage of our proximity to that, and support the birds and do something different in our neighborhood and support other pollinators, native bees, butterflies," Llakmani said.

The association is seeking to have up to six more waystations planted this year and is encouraging the use of native plants in existing gardens in the neighborhood.









"If everyone does it, it forms a big web, and it’s not as fractured as it is now," Llakmani said.

Also at the meeting, association president Lisa Haufschild reported that the association would be hosting a variety of events, including some activities that will be co-sponsored with other community organizations.

The events will be designed with an eye toward contributing to the vibrancy of the neighborhood and celebrating diversity, Haufschild said.

An event titled "Around the World in Two Blocks," featuring a sampling of foods from Lawrence Avenue establishments, is being planned for this fall, and the association is planning to present the "Improver Award" honoring a community volunteer.

The association also is looking into expanding the annual Halloween celebration with a possible photo booth and other activities. Haufschild said that North Mayfair is a popular destination for trick-or-treating because the homes are so close together.