EB the bunny came to Winnetka and brought more than 7,000 colorful eggs to Little Duke Field on March 30 in time for Easter Sunday, March 31.
The Winnetka Park District sponsored the annual Egg Hunt, held in paced bracket increments from morning into mid afternoon on Saturday with reserved time slots at the paid entry event.
The newer format featured an egg gathering experience for kids where there was no ready, set, go! scramble for eggs.
It rained the night before but Park District staff found a less mushy lawn spot and sectioned it off to avoid bordering puddles.
Youngsters entered the field and could take their time to select their favorite colors to fill baskets with their allowed 20 treat filled-plastic eggs per child.
Plush bunny ears were popular. Rain boots were helpful during the egg hunt but plastic eggs topped dry blades of green grass too.
“This is something that we’ve been doing for over 50 years,” said Toby Ross of Glenview, recreation manager for the Winnetka Park District. “Obviously we’ve tweaked it (the format) and changed it a little bit. Everybody that comes out has a great time.”
Ross is of the New Trier Township High School Class of 2000 and spent part of his childhood residing in Winnetka.
“It’s just a great family event, especially now the way we kind of have it laid out and organized,” Ross added. “We don’t have adults throwing elbows and knocking kids over. Everybody gets eggs, it’s much more calm and there’s no tears.”
Amenities included a petting zoo by Animal Quest of Antioch. Children could see chickens and bunnies up close, as an example.
They could also see the plush and huggable EB the Bunny who sat for photo opportunities. There were bouncy houses and a prize table for children. Some kiddies found eggs which indicated they had won something special.
Nick and Katherine Bos participated with their children Tommy, 5, a kindergartner, and Eleanor, 3.
To the Winnetka Park District, “I think they do a great job with children’s activities and things that incorporate the whole family getting out and celebrating holidays,” Nick Bos said.
Katherine Bos complimented Toby Ross on the newer format where children did not do a mass rush to scoop up eggs.
“You don’t see adults running after eggs,” Katherine Bos said. “This is much better. I’m very thankful to Toby, he works incredibly hard, he’s so communicative and this is a very thoughtful way to approach an egg hunt.”
Jack Broderick, 3, of Winnetka navigated the grassy field for eggs with his parents Dan and Lisa Broderick.
For Easter, Lisa Broderick hoped Jack would be, “very thankful and grateful for all of the love in his life.”
After saying that, Jack received a kiss from his mother and Jack responded with more kisses.
“He’s got a little baby sister at home so he’s been such a good big brother,” Jack’s mother said with a smile.
Ben and Anya Winnett of Winnetka accompanied their children Clara, 2, and Ella, 4.
“I love it,” Ben Winnett said of the egg hunt tradition. “It makes living here with kids just a lot of fun and easy and for them, it just creates good memories.”
Anya Winnett grew up in Winnetka Hubbard Woods is of the New Trier Township High School Class of 2006.
For Anya Winnett, the egg hunt is a yearly tradition.
“I grew up here doing it and now my kids are doing it and it’s something we really look forward to,” Anya Winnett said. “I had a really special childhood growing up here and it made me so happy when we moved here that they can take part in the same special childhood that I had.”
Kalle Fernandez and Becca Vasko of Winnetka brought their children Cleo Fernandez Vasko, 17 months, and Holden Fernandez Vasko, 4.
Becca Vasko said the event was, “very well organized, easy to navigate and a lot of fun for the kids.”
Looking ahead to summer, Toby Ross said the Winnetka Park District offers something for all ages.
“We’ve got amazing beaches, incredible camps, special events off the charts,” Ross said. “We do it all, all summer long. We’re gearing up for another year, we’re going to crush it. It’s going to be great.”
Visit https://www.winpark.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
