From movies in parks (Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure is 8:15 p.m. tomorrow at Sunset Park, Grove and Judson streets, in Bensenville) to music in parks (6:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Wood Dale Town Square; 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, at Bensenville Towne Center) to the now-popular parties in parks, both Wood Dale and Bensenville are getting residents to their towns’ green gems.

“Often a park brings in the community that surrounds it, and with these events, we want residents to visit parks they might pass by every day or not even notice is there,” said Ellen Hart, Wood Dale Park District marketing and public relations coordinator.

Tonight, Thursday, July 17, has the perfect location — Georgetown Park, Prospect Avenue and George Street, behind Georgetown Square — to host this second park party thrown by the WDPD.

“This park is great because many residents don’t know it’s a Wood Dale park; they think it’s part of the complex,” Hart said. “It’s also a highly populated area, where people can look out their window and say, ‘What’s going on there?’ and come over to check it out.”

Activities begin at 5 p.m., but there’s no set schedule.

The WDPD brings gear to this free event so they “can cover all sorts of interests that may come up.”

They even pack snacks, such as cookies and lemonade.

Teams form to play pickup games of kickball or softball and to compete in relays; groups organize bean bag tournaments and croquet matches; and kids play in the sand and on playground equipment.

There are also giant parachute games, toys for little kids, people talking and hanging out, and others even bring their own games.

“It reminds me of a family party,” Hart said. “The group kind of just decides what they’d like to do, and they just end up doing things. I also thought it was neat seeing kids in the neighborhood meet other kids from the same area; a few moms even exchanged numbers.”

Besides the goal of having fun and introducing Wood Dale parks, the WDPD hopes Party in the Park will reintroduce residents to the Park District.

“We want to reach out to the community, and we thought this would be a great way to connect with residents outside the recreation complex,” Hart said. “I don’t think many people know all the great things we offer here. We’re all about fun, and maybe by bringing them this event, they will find time to join something here at the complex.”

The first Party in Park was in June at Lionwood Park, Irving Park and Edgebrook roads, with a couple dozen people. Though they hoped for a bigger turnout, it didn’t matter — partygoers didn’t call it a night until 45 minutes after the scheduled 7 p.m. end time.

“Everyone was having so much fun that we didn’t want to end the good times, so we just kept going,” Hart said. “There wasn’t a whole bunch of us, but we had a blast. Everybody went away happy and looking forward to this next one at Georgetown.”

Hart is already wants to add more dates and locations for next year.

“I believe that once the word gets out more, this event should be huge,” Hart said. “Sometimes, it’s hard to get people to come to the Park District, so we’re bringing the park district to them.”

The final Party in the Parks is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Central Park, Central Avenue and Elmhurst Street.

“We live in a small community, and many of us don’t even know who our neighbors are,” Hart said. “So come out, meet neighbors, celebrate summer, play games, (and) get to know your community and park district. It’s just a big ol’ outside party, and the more people, the better.”

Border Bounding is a weekly column appearing on Thursdays. Ideas and items for the column can be e-mailed to hipychk73@yahoo.com.