This Spring our area will be the site for a number of exciting events. The first ever Palos Green Earth Week will kick off the festivities beginning on April 20-27. Green Earth Week is a collaboration of the Beautification Committee, the Village, the Library, the Palos Park Tree Body, Garden Guild I and many community volunteers. Palos Green Earth Week begins with the Village’s Arbor Day celebration on Sunday, April 20th. Each year at the Arbor Day celebration the Village provides to residents free of charge saplings of trees and plants indigenous to the area. It is a wonderful event for children and adults. On Tuesday, April 22nd, the festivities will continue with a program at the Library featuring Brian “Fox” Ellis portraying John James Audobon. On Saturday, April 26th, Green Earth Week concludes with a grand finale of events. To kick off the morning, the Village will hold its annual Spring Fun Run, with the kids fun run beginning at 8:00 a.m. and the adult 5K race commencing at 9:00 a.m. Next, at 9:00 a.m. is the annual Rid Litter Day sponsored by the Beautification Committee. Green Earth Week tee shirts and Recreation Center water bottles will be provided to all who participate in cleaning up our Village (this event is the poster child for “work” and should be fun!). Finally, at noon we will hold our first annual Pet Parade commencing at the Palos South Woods along 119th Street. There will be pet groomers, products, a dog rescue, ice cream and the Grill Seargent.

April 30th, the Bike and Pedway Committee will hold a Charette (read on for an explanation of a Charette) for all Village residents interested in helping to map out possible future bike, pedestrian and equestrian paths within the Village and connecting them to adjoining areas of the Forest Preserves and our neighboring towns.
The first meeting of the Bike and Pedway Committee was well attended with mostly enthusiastic supporters of expanding our path and trail connections. A few participants expressed concern that better pedestrian connections may increase crime within our community. It was clear that a cohesive plan will address all of these issues. The first meeting was facilitated by Steve Buchtel of the Chicago Bike Federation. The Chicago Bike Federation has assisted in the development of bike and pedestrian connections in many communities, including the City of Chicago. As you may be aware, the Village has committed to the Cal-Sag Bike Trail that is proposed to connect the Village of Burnham on the east to the Village of Lemont on the west, a total of 26 miles. There was some discussion focused on addressing pedestrian and bike access to that trail so that residents may access it by other than automobile. The next meeting of the Bike and Pedway Committee will be open to all residents to conduct a Charette. A Charette is an informal brainstorming meeting where members of the Bike and Pedway Committee and other residents will indicate the connections desired within and adjacent to the Village with markers on large maps. We encourage all to attend and participate in the beginnings of a recreational and practical connection system that will increase the appreciation and enjoyment of the Village’s abundant natural features.

Enjoy our beautiful community and think Spring!