On Saturday, Bennett’s Creek Park got a serious workout as it hosted two major events in addition to the normal attractions that already make it a popular place for families and others seeking to spend a nice day outside.

As teams prepared their entries for the Suffolk Chili Fest that would take place in the afternoon, a large group of skateboarders, parents, city officials and people who were merely curious about the event gathered for a ribbon-cutting at the new skate park that is located within the recreational area. The concrete skate park, which includes a bowl, a rail and other features intended to encourage skateboard tricks, is a long-awaited addition to the Bennett’s Creek area.

The park already was a great place to spend some time on a Saturday morning, or maybe after work on a summer evening, when the late sunset gives a couple of extra hours of daylight for playing disc golf or tennis. The skate park will be yet another draw.

And as folks who visited Bennett’s Creek Park on Saturday got to experience firsthand, the addition of a special event such as Chili Fest will make the facility a place that is bustling with activity. And that’s just the way a public park should be.