By Beth McCollam, Marketing and Communications Manager
I love when a plan comes together. More specifically, I love seeing when months of behind-the-scenes planning culminates in a flurry of activity before a program or event begins.
That’s what’s happening this week at Preservation Parks. Months of planning, brainstorming, imagining, and fine-tuning is finally coming together. It’s a flurry of organized chaos.
While the Education staff was planning, we had no idea that state-wide COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted at the beginning of June. We had no other choice than to plan with restrictions still in place so we could properly time, budget and execute a summer of fun. So, how could we still offer the Summer Letterbox Adventure, the summer theme exhibit and other activities that Delaware County has come to love while still keeping everyone healthy?
Last summer, during the height of the pandemic, residents flocked to our parks in record numbers for respite from the unknown. Our outdoor was open when so many other places were closed, and activities were paused.
With this knowledge, we decided on self-guided, outdoor themed exhibit would be the best solution to offer an educational experience while staying outdoors. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, our staff is excited to present “Science Says…” at three Preservation Parks’ locations. Each site explores a unique topic—microorganisms at Deer Haven Park, dinosaurs at Emily Traphagen Park, and astronomy at Blues Creek Park. This summer exhibit, which goes through Labor Day weekend, is made possible because of extraordinary efforts in science through the years.
Another part of the plan coming together is the Summer Letterbox Adventure. Registration began this week. The adventure begins Memorial Day weekend and this summer, goes through Labor Day to allow families time to complete all the parks.
This is another program that is months in the making that unfortunately was canceled last summer. Through the creativity of our staff, this summer’s adventure will look a bit different, but we know it will be just as fun as ever!
If you participated in our Winter Letterbox program, you are familiar with the signs we created in place of a physical letterbox to keep fewer touchpoints for the overall experience. Based on feedback from that program, we made the signs a little smaller and camouflage to make finding them a little more challenging.
Adults can register themselves and their families online, print out a booklet and start exploring seven different parks. Collect the animal in at least four parks to be eligible for a prize while supplies last at Delaware area libraries.
Look out for other programs and park highlights throughout the summer. We promise, there’s more coming….think concerts, hikes, new park amenities and more self-guided programs. While we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic (and all the ensuing changes), the park district is committed to keep our visitors healthy while we begin to safely open our facilities and making plans once again. Our staff is doing amazing things and we hope you will join us!
