The stairs at Swallow Cliff draw plenty of people who want to stay in shape, but next week, people may be inspired to burn some calories while dancing. Others may just chill out on a picnic blanket, enjoying some tropics-tinged music at dusk.
Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band will bring their summery songs to the Swallow Cliff forest preserves, through a partnership between the Cook County Forest Preserves and the Village of Palos Park.
The preserve at Route 83 and LaGrange Road is best known for its two sets of limestone stairs – the second of which was unveiled this summer – that have become a mecca for outdoor fitness warriors. But on Aug. 11, the stairs bridging a 100-foot bluff will be the setting for an outdoor concert.
LeeAnn Fisk, Palos Park parks and recreation director, said the department had been looking for something new to offer residents so about a year and a half ago, officials talked with forest preserve staff about adding more programs to the county-owned lands that surround the village.
“(The forest preserve officials) really embraced the idea,” Fisk said. The familiarity of a local recreation department has enticed more people to explore the forest preserves that abut their own backyards, she added.
“Our community trusts us to take them somewhere,” Fisk said.
The concert will be the village’s final summer concert for the year, Fisk said. The band plays originals and covers along the lines of Jimmy Buffett, and is appropriate for the family.
Most of the band members hail from Palos Park and other south suburbs, according to Russler.
“These guys are a lot of fun,” Fisk said.
People are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. The preserve’s concession stand will be open, but picnic baskets and coolers are also welcome.
Fisk said the partnership between the village and forest preserve district has yielded some successful events, including ice skating when Crawdad Slough froze over, a fishing derby and camping.
“A lot of people say, ‘I had no idea this was here,'” when they get to the preserves,” Fisk said. Though the cliff has hundreds and hundreds of visitors to the stairs, she added, there are lots of people who’ve never been there.
More cosponsored or coordinated events are in the planning stages, Fisk said, including a biking-canoeing-running family triathlon. A family campout at Bull Frog Lake is being planned in conjunction with the forest preserves Party at the Park Sept. 24 that recognizes National Public Lands Day.
Paige Fumo Fox is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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Concert at the Cliff
Where: Swallow Cliff Preserve, Route 83 at LaGrange Road
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. August 11
Information: 708-671-3760; fpdcc.com/event or palospark.org/concert-at-the-cliff
Cost: Free
On the side: Blues band Mississippi Heat will perform at the Dan Ryan Woods Central, 8935 S. Western, Chicago. The band performs at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Prior to the show, visitors can learn about making instruments from natural or recycled materials and participate in a group jam session. For more information, call 312-415-2970 or go to www.fpdcc.com/event