As the New Year's gnome scavenger hunt enters its third week, St. Louis Park residents are buzzing with excitement to find the latest gnome, affectionately named Dorothea. In a playful rhyme posted by The St. Louis Park, potential gnome hunters are encouraged to "beelieve" and look for a "floral abode" to discover Dorothea's hiding spot. This year, the hunt comes with an extra perk: anyone who successfully finds and photographs all four gnomes and submits these images at The Rec Center can win a daily Aquatic Park pool pass, valid before the end of February.
The annual scavenger hunt has become a cherished event for residents, setting them on a playful exploration throughout the city parks. A clue to find the gnome is shared each Tuesday morning throughout January via social media and GovDelivery emails. Dorothea's clue suggests that she's stationed herself somewhere near flowers, but participants will need to decipher where that floral abode refers. According to the rules, once a gnome is found, it's important to leave it be for the next seekers—a gesture to maintain the communal spirit of the event.
There's an added touch of whimsy to the endeavor; the city claims that a photo with any of the New Year's gnomes could slightly improve one's luck. Those lucky enough to snap a pic are encouraged to flaunt their success by sharing the photos on social media, particularly in the comments section of the weekly clue posts. It's a small digital nod of acknowledgment and also a subtle bragging right, proving one's gnome-tracking prowess among fellow park-goers.
For the hunters who might feel a bit directionless, the St. Louis Park Historical Society's website offers some inspiration that could point them in the right direction. And for residents or visitors who are not familiar with the layout of the city's parks, a directory is neatly laid out on the city's official website, providing an essential resource to help narrow down the search area.
With only one week left in January after this, time is ticking for gnome enthusiasts to get out there and capture their findings. Winners who successfully find all the gnomes and claim their pool pass have until the end of next month to do so, and with the weather as it is, a pool pass sounds like just the sort of prize to dream about for the warmer months ahead.
