While there has been a national backlog and extended wait for U.S. residents to get real passports to travel internationally, closer to home in one area legislator’s district, people could easily print a passport to explore “treasures” this summer in local park districts.
State Representative Mary Beth Canty’s inaugural “Summer Park Hunt” has wrapped for the season, but not without constituents getting prizes for venturing around their local parks and park district leaders praising the two-month event’s community engagement.
More Top Picks Best Migraine Glasses For Outdoor Use
From June 15 to Aug. 15, residents of Canty’s 54th District – which includes all or parts of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Mount Prospect, and other neighboring northwest suburbs – could print out a park passport, visit participating parks and answer questions about them.
Sixteen parks were part of the hunt, including ones part of the Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, River Trails and Salt Creek park districts. Partnering with Canty, D-Arlington Heights, a freshman representative, park leaders helped coordinate the hunts and choose the best-suited green spaces for the occasion, according to officials.
The event was free, limited to constituents of the district, and consisted of participants printing out a park passport available on Canty’s website, visiting each park, finding and scanning a QR code, and answering a question for the park on the passport. Once completed, participants were instructed to take or mail their passports to Canty’s district office, where they would be entered into a raffle to win a prize supplied by participating park districts, according to a news release earlier this summer announcing the community activity.
“We have a lot of parks in the 54th District. I truly didn’t appreciate how many there were, and some of them have really interesting stories or really interesting things. I thought, ‘how can I marry my love of exploring new things and scavenger hunt with our parks?'” the freshman state legislator told Pioneer Press as the hunt came to an end.
Canty said Summer Park Hunt, described as fun and educational, was inspired by her love for scavenger hunts.
“I have always loved a good scavenger hunt. That’s a thing that my husband and I have been doing with each other for a long time,” said Canty.
She said while meeting with park district officials, Canty talked with River Trails Park District’s director about the concept of geocaching – a worldwide treasure hunt that uses navigational devices.
“Through that discussion about geocaching, the park hunt was born,” said Canty.
She said the summertime hunt allowed residents to explore, come to appreciate and learn new things about their communities.
“It was interesting the stories that you heard from people. You know, they were trying to play hide-and-go-seek among the trees, or doing picnics there. It was a chance to sort of explore parks that you did know and love, but then also find new ones,” said Canty.
Prizes awarded through the park hunt raffle included rounds of mini golf, day passes to park facilities and water bottles, officials explained. After getting feedback from families – including kids – about how much they enjoyed participating in the park hunt, Canty said she plans to make the Summer Park Hunt an annual event.
Emmerich Park, Alcott Center and Park, and Windsor Ridge Park in Buffalo Grove participated in the park hunt, officials explained. Spokesman Mike Terson said while Buffalo Grove Park District leaders had no input in the program, they were happy to support it.
Arlington Heights Park District officials said they enjoyed having Lake Terramere and Recreation Park as two of the 16 participating parks. Additionally, 10 community residents completed the Summer Park Hunt.
“In prior years, [Arlington Heights Park District] has had a passport encouraging residents to visit our five outdoor pools and one indoor pool to earn special prizes,” said Executive Director Carrie Fullerton.
She said AHPD would participate again in Canty’s event.
Though the Park District has not received feedback specifically regarding that event, “Arlington Heights Park District park users are very engaged, so we believe that participants enjoyed the Summer Park Hunt,” said Amy Seklecki, director of marketing and community engagement.
Kaitlin Mikrut is a freelancer.