Ann Hennessy of Vallevista Ave. is one cool grandma. She’s been spending time with her grandson Connor, 7, while her son, Lee, and daughter-in-law, Courtney, spend time at St. Clair Hospital with Connor’s just-born new sister, Quinn.

But Connor is no stranger to grandma’s house, where he can run reconnaissance on Rockwood Park by watching out the windows for neighborhood friends to come and play. His own house on Kewanna Ave. is within walking distance.

“It’s so easy to take them outside,” she said. “Connor loves Rockwood Park.”

Ann said the park is a key part of their community, a gathering place for families (especially those who live in a half-dozen houses nearby). The location is such a familiar part of their lives that the families have been known to order pizza delivery to the park.

This extension of people’s homes and friendships into the community spaces provided by Mt. Lebanon’s public parks is Ann’s favorite part of life in Mt. Lebanon, except, of course, for her two “precious” grandchildren: Quinn and Connor.