Ellsworth Park Scavenger Hunt: Explore the village green space

Bayside families have a new reason to slow down, look around and explore one of the village’s favorite green spaces this June.

The Village of Bayside’s Passport to Sustainability program has named the Ellsworth Park Scavenger Hunt as its Activity of the Month for June, giving kids and adults a fun way to enjoy the park while learning more about the natural world around them.

The scavenger hunt is simple: head to Ellsworth Park and see how many items you can find. Participants are asked to look for:

• A pollinator garden

• A tree you can wrap your arms around

• A bumble bee, butterfly or bird

• A doggy bag dispenser

• Painted rocks

The full Passport to Sustainability guide also lists the Ellsworth Park Scavenger Hunt as a 3-point activity and includes submitting what you found through the program’s digital reporting system.

One of the best parts? There’s a bonus prize opportunity. Families who find a painted rock can turn it in at Village Hall for a prize.

The scavenger hunt is part of Bayside’s broader Passport to Sustainability program, which encourages residents of all ages to complete environmentally friendly activities around the community. Participants earn points for completed activities and can work toward Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum passport tiers.

The Ellsworth Park hunt is a good fit for younger kids because it does not require special equipment, a long time commitment or a complicated route. It is also a nice reminder that sustainability can start with noticing what is already nearby: trees, pollinators, wildlife, green spaces and the small actions that help keep parks clean.

Families can make it more of an adventure by bringing a clipboard, taking photos along the way or asking kids to sketch their favorite find when they get home. Keep an eye out for bees and butterflies near flowers, listen for birds in the trees and see who can spot the most creative painted rock.

And yes, don’t skip the doggy bag dispenser. It may not be the flashiest scavenger hunt item, but it is a good reminder that taking care of shared spaces is part of keeping parks healthy and welcoming for everyone.

Details at a glance

What: Ellsworth Park Scavenger Hunt
Where: Ellsworth Park, Bayside
When: June Activity of the Month
Program: Bayside Passport to Sustainability
Points: 3 points through the Passport Program
Bonus: Turn in a painted rock to Village Hall for a prize

For families looking for a quick, free and low-key outdoor activity this month, the Ellsworth Park Scavenger Hunt is an easy win: a little fresh air, a little exploring and a little sustainability along the way.