Saturday is National Kids to Parks Day. This is a countrywide celebration organized annually by the National Park Trust “to connect kids and families with their local, state and national parks and public lands.” It has helped popularize these wonderful outdoor recreational venues since 2011.

In conjunction with the national festivities, this weekend the Fort Dodge Recreation Department and Webster County Conservation are putting on a scavenger hunt throughout six area parks — both well–known ones and some not visited as often.

And while National Kids to Parks Day is Saturday, the local word scavenger hunt will begin Friday and continue through Sunday.

Details about how to participate in the scavenger hunt can be found at fortdodgeiowa.org. Participants will have to find the scavenger word at each of these parks:

• Bob Hay Memorial Conservation Area, 2095 Rich Mill Road

• Moorland Pond, 1613 234th St..

• Liska Stanek Prairie, 18277 260th St.

• Hydro–Electric Park, Fourth Avenue Northwest and First Street Northwest

• R.D. Mitchell Park, Second Avenue North and 25th Street

• H.C. Meriwether Park, 10th Avenue Southwest and 10th Street Southwest

Completing the hunt and filling out a scorecard will make participants eligible for prizes, such as two nights of free camping at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. But all scorecards must be emailed to awolfe@fortdodgeiowa.org by 11 a.m. Monday to be eligible.

The Messenger applauds this effort to make more of our residents aware of the superb park areas in Fort Dodge and Webster County. We urge our readers to participate in the scavenger hunt. It promises to be a fun–filled family outing. This weekend is also a good time to check out the many pleasures our parks offer.