This was a major project which they had been wanting to complete for quite a while.   The Winnetka Heights Hall, which is the large room to the left when you walk into the front door & where most meetings are held, was originally (a) a formal living room with fireplace and (b) a formal dining room with fireplace separated from the living room by built-in half walls and (c) a wraparound exterior porch.

The stage was added sometime in the mid 40's.  The parquet floor was in bad shape, particularly where it covered the long-gone fireplace hearth.  When the stage was removed, it revealed a lot of damage to the underneath existing floors.

After removing the stage, they were also able to remove the wood covering over the fireplace & revealed a beautiful fireplace. The brass canapy was brought down from the attic & attached to the fireplace with metal brackets, thus restoring what once was.  

When the floors were renovated, the carpet on the stairs was torn out to allow for the natural beauty of the wood to show.

Luckily, all the flooring needed upstairs was just refinishing. 

                                                                               

West Kessler Neighborhood Association, recipient of a Supplemental Neighborhood Grant awarded by the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League this year has already put the funds to great use in their printing of their yearly West Kessler Neighborhood Directory.

Lynn LaCaze, President of West Kessler, said "it is such a valuable and useful tool in keeping our neighbors in contact with one another." 

Oak Park Estates received grant this year
from the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League
for solar powered lighting to deter illegal
dumping.........

and for signage to announce Neighborhood
meetings.

Photo depicts their new signage 
as part of the League's grant.