Kids love hunt for the hidden park treasure
Adventure in search for stones
More than 600 handpainted stones have been hidden across Rutherglen and Cambuslang in a summer initiative that has delighted youngsters.
The stones, painted by Project 31 staff, have been hidden in parks and green spaces in a bid to encourage children to get outdoors in the summer holidays.
Placed in Cambuslang and Overtoun parks, Stonelaw Woods, Holmhills Wood Community Park and in other random locations, the hidden stones have unleashed the inner explorer in dozens of local children.
Lorna Bamford, manager at Project 31, the play scheme behind the initiative, said: “We’re absolutely delighted at the response we’ve had to our summers tone project.
“It was an idea we just hoped would work and, from the excitement it’s created and the miles lots of our families have walked on stone searches, we’d say it definitely has.
“We’ve been very lucky that staff have been happy to give up their own time to paint and hide hundreds of stones and are enjoying the project just as much as the children.
“The stones are a little incentive to get people out exploring the local area and we’ve really enjoyed hearing about their adventures and seeing the pleasure families are getting from their findings and from spending time together outdoors over the holidays.”
Kirsty Wilson, who has been hunting with her two sons, said: “The painted stones project has been one of the highlights of our summer.
“My boys and their friends have had a ball seeking out the stones and now we have them proudly on display in our home. The boys love telling any visitors about their treasure finds.”
Lisa Avery, who has been stone hunting throughout the holidays with her children Max and Marianna, said: “Our kids have been looking for the painted stones daily. It has encouraged them to get out walking in the park more and they love the adventure that comes with the hunt. Their joy when they find one is wonderful to see.”
Project 31 plans to continue the project over the remainder of the holidays with more stones being hidden daily.
Some are in tricky-to-find locations while others are in more obvious hiding spots but all are marked with Project 31 on the back. Finders are welcome to keep any stones they find and to share a picture of themselves and their stone with the project through their Facebook or Twitter pages