For the third year, Great Rivers Greenway is hosting its annual Greenway Quest, a scavenger hunt-style activity for people of all ages who enjoy exploring nature and being outdoors. Over 300 painted rocks will be hidden along the 135 miles of greenways in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and St. Charles County along the edges of the greenways or at designated trailheads. The rocks will never be hidden on private property.
Each year, the painted rocks feature a different animal. Last year, they were bees and in 2022 they were turtles. This year’s species, announced on July 15 – the day the Quest began – are summer tanagers, a species of bird with feathers of red, yellow or a combination of the two, commonly found in the wooded areas of the state and around the country.
“Once again we’re excited to launch the Greenway Quest, and we hope even more people will join the hunt this year. It’s not only a fun adventure for kids and families, but also a great way to find out more about the amazing Summer Tanager, which is native to our region but of course is not nearly as well-known as the Cardinal. We hope to change that,” Dallas Adams, Great Rivers Greenway communications manager, stated in a press release.
The St. Louis region is considered a top area for birdwatching. According to the press release, several areas near greenways have been recognized by the Audubon Society as ‘Important Bird Areas’ due to being located along the Mississippi Flyway, the largest migratory pathway used by birds in North America. In 2022, “Forbes” magazine also ranked St. Louis as one of the five underrated cities for birding in the country, noting St. Louis for its flyway migratory patterns and its many woodland and wetland habitats that are ideal for bird pit stops.
“Just like we look for efficient routes and convenient rest stops on our summer road trips, these birds look for easy access to forests with plenty of food and shelter. They enjoy flying straight along the river without having to travel over any mountain ranges as they make their way to Central and South America for the winter. Their beautiful colors and sweet song also make the Summer Tanager a real treat for greenway visitors,” Adams stated. “While searching for the rocks next to the trails, we encourage visitors to also take notice of the many species of birds they encounter. Our greenways are great places for birdwatching, and it’s fun to bring a journal and keep track of the number of birds and species you see and hear.”
After a painted rock is found, the finder can take it home and register it online by logging in at GreenwayQuest.com. Registering the rock gives participants the chance to win additional prizes, though one entry per person is the rule. For more fun, rock hunters are encouraged to post photos of themselves and their found rock on social media, tagging @GreatRiversSTL so Great Rivers Greenway can see and share Quest finds.
Participants can plan their greenway visit – and track to see where painted rocks have already been found – at GreenwayQuest.com. If participants find more than one painted rock, Great Rivers Greenway encourages them to place it back in the same spot so more people can join in the fun.