Saratoga PLAN scavenger hunt today
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Local trail goers are invited to a scavenger hunt in search of special painted rocks at select Saratoga PLAN sites.
The scavenger hunt, which begins on Friday, Nov. 6, encourages participants to search for the decorated rocks and collect ones they’d like to keep or gift to others.
The palm-sized rocks, painted with inspirational messages, will be hidden along stretches of the following trails: Hennig Preserve in Galway, Orra Phelps Preserve in Wilton, and Bog Meadow Brook Preserve in Saratoga Springs. Rocks will not be hidden or placed more than one foot fromthe trail to protect the delicate vegetation.
“We wanted to offer an alternative and interactive way to engage with the trails,” Saratoga PLAN’s community engagement manager Alex Fylypovych said in a press release. “Some people find inspiration from walking in the woods or sitting by a stream. Others find it through art. With this project, we’re sort of combining the two.”
Saratoga PLAN welcomes people to take home the painted rocks that mean the most to them. They canmake great gifts, garden decorations, or serve as little reminders around the house, the release noted.
The project isn’t just a fun way to encourage community members to visit a trail, Fylypovych explains. “Sharing the message from your rock may reach someone else who could benefit from the uplifting note,” she added in the release.
Saratoga PLAN asks that any rocks collected be shared on social media using the hashtag #SaratogaPLANrocks and tagging @SaratogaPLAN.
“Spread the inspiration and the joy,” Fylypovych continued. “We can all use some more positivity this year.”
The # SaratogaPLANrocks project was made possible by a collaboration between Saratoga PLAN and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Regeneron’s annual Day For Doing Good pairs Regeneron employees with numerous Capital Region nonprofits to do good in the community. More than 50 Regeneron employees painted and hid over 100 rocks on participating Saratoga PLAN trails.
The rock project was inspired by the nationwide Kindness Rock Project and the Block Island Glass Float Project.
Saratoga PLAN is a Saratoga Springs-based nonprofit land trust that preserves the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County so that these irreplaceable assets are accessible to all and survive for future generations. The organization has helped conserve over 7,000 acres of land, helps landowners conserve farmland, woodlands and natural habitats, and connects people to nature through an extensive trail network, including 10 public nature preserves open for hiking, biking, cross- country skiing, snowshoeing, and kayaking. Additionally, Saratoga PLAN helps communities create plans that balance growth with conservation to sustain the Saratoga region as a great place to live, work, visit, play and farm and facilitates community-based conservation by partnering with municipalities.
More information about Saratoga PLAN, including detail;s about its ongoing efforts and local trails, can be found online at www. saratogaplan.org.