Scavenger hunt at Woodland Park on Little White Oak Bayou raised nearly $7700 and engaged more than 75 people
The Bayou Preservation Association’s first-ever Bayou City Detective Agency (BCDA) scavenger hunt held Nov. 12-14 raised $7700 and engaged 75 people with Little White Oak Bayou and Woodland Park in a fun and accessible way to learn more about our bayous. Eight bayou-related clues were hidden in books placed at “Clue Stops” throughout the park and along the bayou for detectives of all ages to utilize in solving a mystery phrase.
The event drew people of all ages and backgrounds, including families with young children, teenagers, young professionals and members of church groups. Several other park visitors stopped by the Bayou Preservation Association check-in table to learn more about the event and the organization.
“We were very happy with the enthusiastic response to this unique event, which was conceived from a desire to engage people in an entirely new way,” says Branwen Ranck, Bayou Preservation Association’s Director of Philanthropy and Engagement and the event organizer. “BCDA helped Bayou Preservation Association further our “CPR” mission, to “celebrate, protect and restore” our region’s bayous spanning 22 watersheds. It was a beautiful weekend to celebrate one of our lesser-known waterways, located in the Woodland Heights area not far from downtown.”
Ranck extends appreciation to the 81 people who bought tickets to the event, in addition to sponsors and donors. Bayou Preservation Association board member Susan Hill and Talley Landscape Architects stepped in as lead sponsors for Clue Stops.
Photo caption: The Bayou Preservation Association’s first-ever Bayou City Detective Agency scavenger hunt held Nov. 12-14 raised $7700 and engaged 75 people with Little White Oak Bayou and Woodland Park in a fun and accessible way to learn more about our bayous. Photo credits: Tina Petersen and Bayou Preservation Association.
71 individuals solved the mystery phrase. The game was set up around the character Heron needing help to uncover a final message from his friend Turtle as a thunderstorm rolled in on the bayou. The riddle is outlined here, with the mystery phrase revealed at the end.
Heron asked Turtle, “How did you get so many family and friends?”
“We are all connected, where one bayou starts, another one ends.”
Heron looked to the sky and began to ponder,
“Is it true, should I leave these banks and begin to wander?”
Turtle swam closer, showing Heron the adventures etched in her shell.
I promise, Turtle said, “The loneliest place in Houston is bayou self.”
“We hope the take-home message of this year’s event is that bayous both literally and metaphorically connect us all—to each other, to nature, and to ourselves,” Ranck added.
To learn more about the Bayou Preservation Association and potential volunteer opportunities, visit their website at www.bayoupreservation.org.