Most people enjoy unraveling a good mystery.

 

At least Katie Squires is hoping that is the case with the citizens of Bridgeport. As the Recreation Coordinator for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, Squires has devised a Clue Scavenger Hunt based on the classic detective board game Clue.

 

The event begins today and the mystery needs to be solved by June 17. Clues to solve the case will be located at the City Park as well as Compton Park. And the clues are out there as of this morning.

 

While many summer destinations or activities have been shut down or had restrictions placed upon them because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Squires said she knew she wanted to offer something unique for the kids to do.

 

That’s the reason why we did it,” Squires said. (Parks and Recreation Director) Joe (Shuttleworth) and I had been talking and my job title is Recreation Coordinator and most of my responsibility in the summer does fall on the management of the pool.  I’ve been researching what other parks and rec departments are doing to gather their community in different ways. Some have pools, some don’t or some have opened and some haven’t, so what else is out there that kids can do?

 

“It’s a great way to get kids active in a different manner. We want to come up with some different ways to engage them. It’s just a fun activity, you get to run around and get outside. It’s something you can do on your own, you don’t have to have a big group. That’s another thing we are trying to do, not bring big groups together at this time.”

 

And just what is the mystery that needs solved?

 

Somebody has been causing trouble around town going by the name of M. COVID. The list of suspects have been narrowed down to seven: Parks Director Joe, Mayor Lang, Community Development Director Andrea, City Manager Wetmore, Fire Chief Hart, Police Chief Walker and City Engineer Beth.

 

To solve the crime, you must follow the clues they have been left behind. Once you find a clue, check it off your game board. Keep checking things off until you are left with one suspect, one weapon and one location.

 

Once you solve the case, send your answers to this email address: parkswv@bridgeportwv.com to be entered to win a prize. Ten winners will be drawn at random. All answers must be submitted via email by June 17.

 

Participants are also encouraged to send along a photo of yourself searching for the clues. All clues will be at either the City Park or Compton Park. Squires is also willing to give a bit of hint by suggesting that you look along the walking trails and by the fences and signs. But don’t touch, move or remove the clues so everyone has the same opportunity to play.

 

 “I can’t tell you how much fun I had making the characters,” Squires said.  “I actually got the idea from Jefferson County Parks and Rec. They used their Parks and Rec staff. We don’t have enough staff to create seven different characters, so me and Joe were talking and he said wouldn’t it be funny if we used some of the city officials, the people we see in the community.

 

“Everybody we have talked to has loved it. Randy (Wetmore) was like, ‘Can you send me that picture because it is so life like, I need to show my kids.’ Everybody at City Hall thought it was hilarious. Phil Hart, John Walker, they saw theirs and started laughing and said, ‘That’s pretty good.’

 

“Some people have said, ‘Why didn’t you use me or that would be fun.’ Depending on how it goes we could do a second round and use some different people or mix it up a little bit. I’ve now been taxed with making bit emojis for all the ladies who work part time here in the office.”

 

Squires said while meeting with maintenance staff to go over what was going on and not to remove the clues, one 23-year-old only had one question — if it was just for kids, because it sounded like a lot of fun.

 

“Hopefully older kids and adults want to play too,” Squires said. “Obviously there are some changes from that classic game Clue, but it’s basically a process of elimination game. Go find the clues, submit who think did it and have fun being outside.”

 

A printable Bridgeport Clue game board (which also has all the instructions) can be found HERE

 

Also Squires said they have made google maps that have X’s designated to where the clues are for participants who are struggling to find a particular clue. Those maps can be found HERE