Find a furry woodchuck mascot, celebrate Dog Days of Summer

Welcome to The Herald-News’ Will County Inside/Outside Guide. Each week, Features Editor Denise M. Baran-Unland (@Denise_Unland61) highlights a few ideas for you to enjoy your weekend in Will County.

Wiith the number of COVID-19 cases rising in Will County, here are two outdoors, low risk, family friendly activities any age can enjoy this weekend and through the end of August.

Where’s Willy?

Remember the popular “Where’s Waldo” scavenger hunt books? Well, the Forest Preserve District of Will County is hosting a “Where’s Willy? Scavenger Hunt” that runs through the end of August. While out at one of four select forest preserves, simply watch for a cutout of the district’s furry woodchuck mascot Willy. When you see it, take a photo and upload it via the link in the online story.

The clues to Willy’s location are available at ReconnectWithNature.org. The first 200 scavenger hunt participants who find Willy at all four preserves by the end of August will receive a Forest Preserve District drawstring backpack.

Here are the four participating preserves:

• Hadley Valley-Bruce Road Access, Homer Glen

• Hammel Woods – DuPage River Access, Shorewood

• Kankakee Sands Preserve, Custer Township

•Messenger Woods Nature Preserve, Homer Glen

And here’s a video of the mascot to get you motivated: bit.ly/findwilly.

Celebrate the ‘tail end of summer’ with photo contest

The Plainfield Park District is hosting a Dog Days of Summer photo contest through Aug. 31.

Take a photo of your dog at one of Plainfield Park District’s dog parks and then share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the hash tag#PPDpets. Or mail submissions to marketing@plfdparks.org or drop off at Rec/Admin Center, 23729 W. Ottawa St. Include the name of pet, its human, phone number and email address on the back of the photo.

By submitting photos, contest participants are agreeing to the park district to use those photos on Plainfield Park District social media accounts, its website, and in future park district print advertising and activity guides, a news release from the park district said.

The release also said the “most ‘pawsome’ pictures will be picked to win a Park District doggie-themed prize.”

Here are the dog park locations:

• Clow Stephens, 16650 S. Lily Cache Road, Plainfield

• Van Horn Woods East, 17200 S. Frontage Road, Plainfield

• Daisy Dog Park, 13214 S. Blakely, Plainfield (on 135th St. approximately mile west of Route 30.)

For more information, visit plfdparks.org.

Thoughts? Drop me a line at dunland@shawmedia.com.