lettuces, vegetables and herbs for Bayless’ three award-winning downtown restaurants — Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, and XOCO — are grown.

They can also walk a portion of The 606, an elevated park and trail system following the now-defunct Bloomingdale Line through Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Bucktown, and Wicker Park.

Bessey generates ideas for trips about a year ahead of time and plans them six months out.

“I look at what’s coming to Chicago,” she said. “Sometimes participants ask to go certain places. And I also look for word-of-mouth, the next big thing maybe not everyone’s heard about.”

One challenge is finding high-quality restaurants that accommodate large groups.

Another is dispelling the notion that participants will be uncomfortable traveling alone.

“We like to pair up anyone who’s traveling by themselves with another person,” Dolan said. “It takes courage to go by yourself, and we want everyone to be comfortable.”

And these trips aren’t just for Wheaton residents. Any adult can purchase a yearly household membership for $15, which lets them participate in all Mary Lubko Center-sponsored programs for the resident rate. Members also receive four issues of the center’s quarterly newsletter.

The fall issue, to be released in September, will feature “six new day trips to choose from, plus a variety of parties, programs, and classes,” Dolan said.

To become a member of the Mary Lubko Center, register for trips, and learn more, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com, call the Mary Lubko Center at (630) 665-1415, or stop in at 208 W. Union Ave. in Wheaton during regular business hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.