Jingle bells are tied to a tree in 12 Metro East parks. Participants have 6 weeks to find each tree, take a selfie, and post to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #jinglehike or email to treks@heartlandsconservancy.org.
HeartLands Conservancy is partnering with the Alpine Shop and Davey Resource Group to challenge Metro East residents to get outdoors this holiday season.
Participants in the Jingle Hike Challenge will be entered to win prizes, including a new adult bicycle.
The challenge begins Friday and runs through Jan. 2.
Jingle bells are tied to a tree in 12 Metro East parks. Participants have 6 weeks to find each tree, take a selfie, and post to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #jinglehike or email to treks@heartlandsconservancy.org. For each submission, they will be entered to win prizes. If a person finds six or more of the trees, he or she will be entered to win the grand prize — a Jamis Hudson Sport SX Adult Bicycle from the Alpine Shop. A bonus entry will be awarded to the first person to correctly name the type of tree.
Prizes include outdoor gear from the Alpine Shop in O’Fallon, Ill., and hooded sweatshirts donated by Toolen’s Running Start in Shiloh.
“We created this challenge to increase awareness of the Metro East’s outstanding parks, hidden gems and quality of life,” said Mary Vandevord, president and CEO of HeartLands Conservancy. “Part of our mission is to engage people with nature — even in the winter. The challenge encourages people to take a break to enjoy nature and explore our beautiful region.”
Locations include Godfrey’s LaVista Park, Bethalto Arboretum, Arlington Wetlands, Highland Silver Lake, O’Fallon Hesse Park, Swansea Centennial Park, Columbia City Park, White Rock Nature Preserve, Jerry Costello Lock & Dam Confluence Trail, Greenville Patriot’s Park, Nashville Memorial Park and Carlyle Lake.
There is no cost to take the challenge, but participants must be at least 14 to win prizes. A map of the parks and instructions will be available at the Alpine Shop in O’Fallon, Toolen’s Running Start in Shiloh, and city halls and other locations in the region. It can also be downloaded at heartlandsconservancy.org.
Winners will be drawn Jan. 3 and announced on social media and the HeartLands Conservancy website. Follow HeartLands Conservancy on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for hints on the bell locations and more information.