Letterboxing on Mercer Island to begin on Trails Day, June 1

Under the aegis of the Mercer Island Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) and the Parks and Recreation Department, the fourth annual “MI Letterboxing Adventure” will take place during the months of June through September 2013. The Kickoff of the program will be on June 1 in conjunction with National Trails Day in Pioneer Park across from the entrance to QFC and Starbucks from 10 a.m. to noon.

By Reporter Staff • May 8, 2013 11:37 am

Under the aegis of the Mercer Island Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) and the Parks and Recreation Department, the fourth annual “MI Letterboxing Adventure” will take place during the months of June through September 2013. The Kickoff of the program will be on June 1 in conjunction with National Trails Day in Pioneer Park across from the entrance to QFC and Starbucks from 10 a.m. to noon.

In addition to registering and obtaining the official clue book, there will be other exciting activities and games for the children. The Girl Scouts are planning a bake sale. New participants will be able to “find” the first letterbox with a guide that will explain how the program works.

For those who cannot attend the kickoff, a clue book can be picked up starting June 3 at the following locations: Mercer Island Community and Event Center, Luther Burbank Park Admin building, and the Boys and Girls Club.

Letterboxing is an intriguing mix of treasure hunting, art, navigation and exploring interesting and scenic places. Learning about the environment in which the letterboxes are hidden is a primary benefit to the participants. This program will take place in the 120-acre Pioneer Park, located on the South end of Mercer Island. The clues to find each specially hidden letterbox will be written in a manner that will require the younger participants to work closely with their parents and will enable all of them to learn about the many assets that are contained in this beautiful and unique urban forest. The older children can learn about the park by finding the letterboxes on their own.

Letterboxing is a program open to anyone who wants to explore the trails of Pioneer Park while hunting for hints and clues. Participants will be announced and recognized and celebrated at the OSCT meeting in November.

Letterboxing is an international recreational game. Participants can hone their skills in the months between annual events by finding clues to literally thousands of letterbox sights already located in the Puget Sound area by visiting: www.letterboxing.org.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation department at (206) 275-7609.