The smell of grilled hotdogs drifted across Bennett Park on June 7 as children bounced, music played, and families settled under pavilions for the City of Palos Hills’ annual Picnic in the Park.
The free event took place June 7 at Bennett Park, 10801 S. Roberts Road, where residents came together to celebrate the start of summer and enjoy one of the city’s premier public spaces.
“This is one of our favorite events to start the summer,” said Steve Szymczak, of Palos Hills, who attended with his wife and two young children. “We’re here every year.”
Organized by the Palos Hills Resource & Recreation Department, the event included lunch, games and live music. Acoustic singer-songwriter Dave Rudolf performed on stage while kids explored inflatable bounce houses and play areas. City staff from the Public Works Department handled hotdog duty at the grill. Adults joined in, too, competing in a friendly cornhole tournament while others relaxed in shaded seating areas.
Kristin Violante, Resource & Recreation Commissioner for the city, said the event is about showing people what’s available right in their own neighborhood.
“The city is proud of Bennett Park, named after our mayor, and this event is a way for the mayor and city to give back to the community,” Violante said.
Originally launched in 2021 as the Bennett Park Bash, the event was renamed Picnic in the Park in 2022 to reflect its broader emphasis on recreation and inclusion.
That emphasis is visible in the park’s award-winning, all-inclusive playground — a space intentionally designed so children of all ability levels can play and be challenged together. Walking trails, a wooden bridge, pollinator gardens, a stone amphitheater, and nature-based play areas round out the experience.
Formerly known as Pleasure Lake, the park was renamed for longtime Mayor Jerry Bennett in 2020. A four-decade city leader and advocate of accessible public design, Bennett envisioned the space as a destination where everyone — kids, seniors, and people with disabilities — could enjoy nature and recreation together.
“This annual event kicks off a great summer of outdoor events at Bennett Park, which includes concerts and movies in the park,” Bennett said. “The city also offers other special events over the summer at Town Square Park and our annual Friendship Fest at Moraine Valley Community College, July 10 to 13. We hope all our residents come join us for these fun summer events.”
Saturday’s event brought that vision to life with sunshine, shared meals and a reminder that sometimes, the best summer memories are made just a few blocks from home and residents could not agree more, including Michelle Kieser, who attended with her 2-year-old daughter, Sophia.
“We were visiting the park and decided to walk over and we are so glad we did,” Kieser, of Palos Hills, said.
