Five bicycles and a bounce house.
That’s how I would describe an Oak Park block party.
If it’s not your block, if it’s not your party, block parties are a pain in the neck. A minor pain, to be sure, but having to detour around block parties in the summer is annoying.
But the annoyance is worth it.
Block parties are a good idea. They are, as the village describes it, “… a way to build community spirit, meet neighbors and have fun.”
Granted, I don’t see all block parties during my summer detours. But, over the years I have driven around a lot of block parties. Most of the parties I have seen consist of five small kids riding their bikes on the closed-off street and a lonely-looking bounce house.
Where is everyone?
I seldom see any grown-ups, or anyone over the age of 10. How does this meager gathering build community spirit or help neighbors get acquainted?
I know adults are involved because to hold a block party a petition signed by 10 or more block residents must be submitted to the village.
Maybe I’m just there at the wrong time. Perhaps the blocks are jumping late in the day or in the evening.
I’d like to think so because I like the idea of block parties.
Time was that everyone on a block knew everyone else on the block. I still can tell you – house by house – the name of every family on the block on which I grew up.
Unfortunately – and I don’t know why – that isn’t true today. It’s not uncommon for next-door neighbors not to know each other, much less other residents on the block.
Block parties are a good way to break through this isolation.
Your neighbors are probably nice folks. If you don’t know them, well, you are missing out on the pleasures of friendship and real neighbors, not just next-door residents.
So, maybe you should organize a block party for your block. It’s not difficult.
For more information about setting up a block party, contact the village at 708-358-5700 or email blockparty@oak-park.us.
And when your block has a party, go to it.
Don’t make me detour in vain.
Paul Sassone is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.
