Hunt for History in Redmond. Get active and learn a bit about Redmond’s history. Come celebrate May Historic Preservation Month with a free, family friendly event featuring self-guided bicycle and walking scavenger hunt from 10am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 16, starting at Centennial Park downtown (across from City Hall).
The scavenger hunt will include self-guided walking and biking tours of the exterior of 12 historic homes near downtown Redmond (can be done by car too). To take part, pick up maps and clue booklets at Centennial Park. Then venture out on bike or foot to the homes, read historic plaques placed near the sidewalk of many of the homes and learn about the history of the home, the colorful characters who lived there and architectural trends during the time it was built. At other homes, match architectural details with photos in the booklet.
Prize drawings for the scavenger hunt will be held at 11:30am and 1:30pm. If you would like to do the scavenger hunt, return completed clue booklets to Centennial Park before the drawings. The first three adult and children booklets drawn at each time showing the correct answers will win prizes. Allow about 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to complete the scavenger hunt depending on your pace and if you are walking or biking.
“We are excited to offer this first of what we hope to be an annual collaboration of historic preservation and encouraging community residents to get out of their cars, get active and find out how easy and fun it is to explore the City on bike or foot,” said Scott Woodford, Associate Planner and staff liaison to the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
While at Centennial Park enjoy displays about historic preservation and bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts in Redmond. Alumni of Redmond Union High School/Junior High/Evergreen Elementary are invited to come to the event to share their stories and/or memorabilia from their time at the school that the City may use in a display when City Hall opens in the old building in 2016.
No bicycle? A number of child bicycles ranging in size from 16 to 26-inch frames will be available free for use during the event (first come, first served), courtesy of Redmond Area Park and Recreation District.
“May Preservation Month is a national celebration that communities use to showcase their cultural heritage and built environment and raise awareness of the importance of preserving historic places for future generations. In Redmond, we have a great collection of homes and buildings built from the 1920s through the 1940s and this scavenger hunt will feature some of the finest homes from those eras,” explained Redmond Historic Landmarks Commission Chair Trish Pinkerton.
The City’s Historic Landmarks Commission, in conjunction with Bike, Walk and Roll Redmond, are sponsoring this fun and unique event. Thanks also to Coho Coffee and the Redmond Museum.
For more information, please contact Scott Woodford at 541-923-7758
The purpose of the City of Redmond Historic Landmarks Commission is to preserve and promote Redmond’s history and culture by:
1. Identifying, evaluating, and designating historic and cultural resources in the City of Redmond as landmarks.
2. Informing and educating the public on the historic and architectural significance of the designated landmarks.
3. Informing and educating the public on the value of preserving Redmond’s historic and cultural resources.
4. Soliciting grants and other resources to help promote, advocate and undertake preservation projects in the City of Redmond.
5. Protecting and enhance the City’s attraction to residents, tourists and visitors and serve as a support and stimulus to business and industry;
6. Strengthening the economy of the City.
7. Stabilizing and improving property values.
8. Any other activities that will help preserve and promote Redmond’s history and culture.
Bike, Walk and Roll Redmond is the new promotional campaign started by the City of Redmond and the Redmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The goal of the campaign and the purpose of the BPAC is to increase pedestrian utility and bicycle ridership in Redmond – to encourage more people to bike and walk around Redmond as a means of exercise, sustainability and community. BPAC represents all bicycle and pedestrian users in Redmond, both current and future by advocating for the development of additional bike and pedestrian facilities that are user friendly, inviting and compelling, reviewing transportation projects from the viewpoint of bicycle and pedestrian users and spearheading encouragement and educational activities.
