Brace yourselves, citizens of Saint Paul; a tiny invasion is underway in your local green spaces. The Saint Paul Parks and Recreation took to social media to announce the return of their whimsical woodland dwellers in the #Gnomevasion scavenger hunt, a family-friendly event that's poised to draw crowds for some outdoor frolic amidst the chill.

According to a recent post by the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, residents are being invited to participate in solving clues that would lead them to various gnome locations hidden within the city's parks. It's an exercise in fun yes, but also in discretion; participants are encouraged to share their success via selfies with these elusive creatures on social media, tagging #stpgnometakeover, all while cleverly concealing the gnomes' whereabouts to keep the game afoot.

Park-goers can find all the necessary information to start their gnome-seeking adventure by visiting the dedicated website. There, the city has laid out all the clues you'll need to track down the gnome family—bringing a dash of competitive spirit to the otherwise peaceful park environs. The Saint Paul Parks and Rec team seem to be hitting the sweet spot between encouraging outdoor activity and offering a collective, engaging challenge.

This isn't the first escapade for Saint Paul's little gnome friends, but it appears to be capturing the public's imagination all over again. The blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and, the promise of a rosy-cheeked selfie with a gnome has proven particularly enticing to residents ready to shake off any potential winter blues. You just might want to join the hunt before they all get found—or worse, decide to pack up their miniature suitcases and move to more secretive landscapes.