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Adventure-heavy scavenger hunt keeps Calgarians occupied in Bridgeland

CBC
·2 min read
A team explores the Arctic Adventure's snow beach, which is equipped with deck chairs, a flamingo toss and 'chicken darts,' which involves throwing a rubber chicken into a target. (Submitted by the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association - image credit)
A team explores the Arctic Adventure's snow beach, which is equipped with deck chairs, a flamingo toss and 'chicken darts,' which involves throwing a rubber chicken into a target. (Submitted by the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association - image credit)

Running out of things to do during the chillier months of COVID-19?

The Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association has an adventure initiative for that.

Comprised of quirky activities that feature an ice traverse, a snow beach and a flamingo toss, Bridgeland's Arctic Adventure Experience is part scavenger hunt, part neighbourhood walk.

Funded by a $7,500 grant from the City of Calgary and Parks Foundation Calgary, it was conceptualized by the association as a way to get Calgarians moving during the colder months — and safely.

"We were really excited to receive a grant … to get people active in winter during this difficult time and COVID, when we can't, you know, do a lot of things, and there's more limitations," said the community association's Ali McMillan on the Wednesday edition of the Calgary Eyeopener.

"But what we can do is enjoy some outdoor activity safely within our cohort, and so … we invented this kind of circuit throughout our community that involves a lot of the staircases and viewpoints around Bridgeland."

'So much fun to watch'

The 7.5-kilometre walk, which can take as long as 2½ hours, is intended to be enjoyed with one's cohort, and in adherence to COVID-19 safety restrictions.

It is also designed to be inclusive. Calgarians can choose an adventure that best suits their individual pace with downloadable maps and instructions on its website.

A group of kids en route on the Arctic Adventure.
A group of kids en route on the Arctic Adventure.

The adventure course features activities such as human curling — or whizzing down a hill in an inflatable kiddie pool — while the scavenger hunt and senior's adventure strolls have Calgarians keeping an eye out for neighbourhood landmarks and taking masked photos.

"We've seen a real diversity of groups of people doing it. We've seen, you know, people in their 20s challenging their friends at a distance, doing it and kind of talking to each other on social media," McMillan said.

"We've seen young families … and just unlikely people, like, fully embracing this challenge. And just really going out and having a good time. And it's been so much fun to watch."

Bridgeland's Arctic Adventure Experience runs until March 31. Those wishing to participate can download their maps and read further instructions on the community association's website.

Kids attempt to toss rings over the necks of flamingos.
Kids attempt to toss rings over the necks of flamingos.
Bridgeland's Arctic Adventure Experience has participants try 'human curling,' which involves sliding down a hill in a kiddie pool into a painted bullseye.
Bridgeland's Arctic Adventure Experience has participants try 'human curling,' which involves sliding down a hill in a kiddie pool into a painted bullseye.
The bullseye for the human curling station, where the goal is to get in a kiddie pool and toboggan down the hill, aiming to end up in the center ring.
The bullseye for the human curling station, where the goal is to get in a kiddie pool and toboggan down the hill, aiming to end up in the center ring.
Pictured is the hill ascent, where participants use fixed climbing ropes to help their team traverse a steep section of the adventure.
Pictured is the hill ascent, where participants use fixed climbing ropes to help their team traverse a steep section of the adventure.

With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.