Community Park gearing up for Easter event
The Easter Bunny is coming to town – for his annual stop at North Fort Myers Community Park.
The annual Spring Easter Egg Hunt is for kids up to 10 years old.
“This year we’re doing something a little different,” said Park Senior Recreation Specialist Christine Susterich. “For zero to 4-year-olds, we’ll have those who can walk on their own on the field – no parents.” For some of the little ones in years past, parents on the field made for a scramble. “For the little, tiny guys who can’t walk, we’ll have baggie of goodies for them.”
Donations are now being accepted for those toddlers.
“It needs to be individually wrapped candy – not chocolates because they melt,” Susterich said.
A deadline for candy donations is Friday, April 3.
“We always get great donations every year,” she said.
The event itself is set to begin at 10 a.m. sharp.
“Once the zero to four kids go, then the 5 through 7-year-olds go to a different field. Once they are finished the third set of 8 through 10-year-olds will go, and all the parents can watch. We had about 500 kids last year,” said Susterich.
“This year we’re expecting about 600,” added Senior Recreation Specialist Libby Olive. “It’s always the Saturday before Easter, and it’s always rain or shine. And don’t forget your basket.”
“What we ask is that when they get the eggs, they drop their candy into their own basket and drop them in containers we have around the park so we can use them again next year,” said Susterich.
There’s also prizes. Kids will get plastic eggs, and if they find a number inside, they get a prize from many donated items.
“Besides your candy, you may get a prize basket. We usually have about 75 to 100 different prizes,” said Olive. “And the Easter Bunny will be on site to greet the children.”
Officials ask that people remember to park in the back parking lot of the center. The circular drive area will be cordoned off for the kids.
Volunteers Winnie Steil and Diane Schmit have been instrumental in helping with the event, said Sustrich.
“Between the two of them, we can’t thank them enough,” she said.
“My sorority, Alpha Gamma Nu, a division of Beta Sigma Phi service sorority, donated a lot to the event,” said Steil.
She was recently surrounded by plastic eggs, being helped by children who attend park programs who helped stuff the eggs.
Palmona Park also joining the North Park in the event.
The event is free and open to any kid, from any county.
“Come with a smile and leave with some candy,” said Susterich.
For information, call the park at 652-6002.