The City of Yelm Parks and Recreation department encouraged youth in the area to search for six hidden groundhogs at three local parks in an effort to earn a sticker for their park passport on Feb. 2.
The six groundhogs hidden in celebration of Groundhog Day were located at Yelm City Park, Longmire Park and Cochrane Memorial Park. The event lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and participants were able to receive their groundhog sticker during business hours at city hall.
“I just wanted something to encourage people to visit the three different parks,” said Line Roy, the city’s communications and recreation coordinator. “Who doesn’t want to see groundhogs and learn a little bit about them? It was a pretty perfect combination.”
Roy said the purpose of the event was to keep families with young children engaged through city events and activities.
“Keep an eye out for more cool things that will be happening in the coming weeks and months,” Roy said. “We’ll put all the information on our City of Yelm Parks and Recreation Facebook page.”
The park passport program was announced on Jan. 25. The program will host different events, which included the Groundhog Day celebration. Residents can participate to earn a sticker from Yelm City Hall for their passport.
Participants can earn stickers at various events throughout the year, which will include the Prairie Days celebration, Christmas in the Park, and the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day event. More details regarding the St. Patrick’s Day edition of the park passport event will be announced on the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
At the end of the year, the collected passport stickers can be exchanged at Yelm City Hall for a prize.
If an organization plans to host a family-friendly event in Yelm and would like to host or sponsor a sticker stop, contact Roy at 360-458-8420 or email liner@yelmwa.gov for more details.
