Scavenger Hunt To Encourage Trail Use In Southington

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy a trail or two amid the great outdoors.

It's not too hot and the scenery can just be full of New England foliage splendor.

To promote that splendor locally, the Southington Town Council Open Space Subcommittee this week has announced "Project Float."

"Project Float" utilizes ornate, glass fishing floats, which can be used as decorations, to promote the town's trails at various open space sites in town.

Town volunteers are hiding these floats on trails as part of a scavenger hunt, whereby guests scan in numbers via their phones attached to the floats.

This allows organizers to keep track of what has been found.

The good news is scavenger hunt participants are allowed to keep one float they find and when all the floats are found, the event is over.

Event organizers do ask that those who have already kept a float refrain from keeping any more, allowing other participants a chance at the ornate decorations.

Of course, the floats are merely a prize incentive for getting families outside and enjoying what Southington's open spaces have to offer.

As of Sept. 30, the town has glass fishing floats at the Novicks site (Flanders to Pleasant Street); Korin property (Copper Ridge); and the Curtiss site (South End Road).

Town officials said more sites will be added to the list.

One thing that is certain is there are plenty of places to hike and enjoy Southington.

"Over the last 20 plus years, the town has partnered with property owners and pursued land through our open space acquisition program by way of land purchases, donations, grants and development rights," wrote the town on its website.

"We have preserved more than 700 acres of land in our community and a number of them have beautiful hiking trails for all to enjoy."

For more information on Project Float, as well as program details, click on this link.