Volunteers from the Batavia Parks Foundation and Encore Batavia are co-hosts a pop-up scavenger hunt and information-gathering event Sunday, April 18, to gain neighborhood insight into the development of intergenerational playgrounds at two Batavia parks.
Intergenerational playgrounds, known as multigenerational playgrounds, are designed specifically to encourage parents and grandparents to play with children and are structured to enhance that shared form of play. Swing sets, for example, are designed to accommodate young children through older adults, and shaded seated or picnic areas are juxtaposed to create comfortable places on which to rest while children are playing.
The event will start as a cool scavenger hunt with children, or that can be tackled together as a couple, providing a fun way to play outside across the generations. These scavenger hunts and idea-sharing sessions are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Hawk’s Bluff Park, 950 Twin Elms Lane, and Laurelwood Park, 800 N. River Street.
“Encore Batavia and the Batavia Parks Foundation invite Batavians of all ages to participate in our ‘Pop-Up in the Parks’ event to share ideas of what intergenerational features you might like to see in the future,” Encore Batavia Founder Britta McKenna said.
Individuals and family teams will receive a map of each park with clues to the locations where bricks are hidden. Each brick will reveal a letter in the mystery word, and answers can be turned in for small treats and entered for the chance to win a family fun bundle of goodies.
Participants are asked to share their thoughts on amenities they would like to see in these intergenerational playgrounds. Registration is required, but the event is free.
“Get out and enjoy Spring with our free, socially-distanced family scavenger hunts at Hawk’s Bluff and Laurelwood parks. We’ll have small prizes for participating and a drawing entry for those who solve our hidden word puzzle,” said Sarah Ryerson, secretary of the Batavia Parks Foundation
Safety is key, so volunteers will be following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing while at each park.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, and wear shoes that can endure a little dirt or mud. In the event of inclement weather, cancellation announcements will be posted by noon on the Batavia Parks Foundation or Encore Batavia’s social media accounts or websites.
Parking:
At Hawk’s Bluff Park, please park in the lot just off Twin Elms Lane and check in with a volunteer at the event pavilion. At Laurelwood Park, please park in the lot just south of The Lodge at Laurelwood. Residents also may walk or bike to this park via the trail along the Fox River. Please check in with an event volunteer at the table near The Lodge.
Encore Batavia is an initiative of the Batavia Parks Foundation with the vision of “Empowering an Intergenerational Batavia.”
For more information, please contact Britta McKenna at 630-981-1350 or brittawmckenna@gmail.com, or Sarah Ryerson at ryeguy723@gmail.com.
—Batavia Park District