While Easter Sunday is not celebrated until the end of the month, 11,000 colorful plastic eggs were distributed at the Mundelein Park and Recreation District’s annual Cottontail Trail on Saturday.
There were 350 children registered for the event. Families waited outside of the Dunbar Recreation Center along Community Park for their time slot to traverse the indoor trail in the gym, where community tables were set up.
There were 25 sponsors or businesses that provided eggs, treats, giveaways and trinkets.
Amy Langille of Lindenhurst, cultural arts and events supervisor for the Mundelein Park and Recreation District, said sponsors, “engage with the kids throughout the event. It’s a cool thing. It’s a fun thing to be a part of. It has a little bit of something for everyone.”
“This event pulls in people not just from Mundelein, but from Libertyville and Vernon Hills and communities that are around us,” she continued. “It’s a big event that just shines a light on all the great things that go on here.”
Ryan Dawson of Mundelein, the father of Kendall, 5, said, “It’s a really great thing for the kids, and we appreciate it all and everybody’s having fun.”
Chris Woodard and Susan Goedke of Mundelein, wearing pink and white plush tall bunny ear headbands, staffed a table for the Mundelein LGBT Alliance and Allies. Children could choose spring mini rubber duckies in bright colors with bunny ears.
“The snapshot (of LGBT Alliance) is that we’re very visible around town,” Woodard said. “We sponsor a lot of the events around town, and volunteer and that’s the whole thing, just being part of the community.”
Children could visit with the plush spring bunny, and many parents were seen snapping keepsake photos.
“The kids are enjoying it,” said Greg Dyrek of Mundelein, who attended with spouse Nina and their children Chloe, 5, and Jax, 4.
Andy and Samantha Sturgeon on Mundelein brought their children Kai, 1, and Jay, 3.
“Moving two years ago into Mundelein and into Lake County, we love the community here, we love the schools here and we love the activities that the Park District offers,” Andy Sturgeon said.
Koonal and Chrissy Patel of Mundelein watched their son Kishan, 2, visit the fenced petting zoo.
“He’s having the best time,” Chrissy Patel said. “He loves the animals, and this is a great event.”
Langille said, “I think Lake County offers a lot of great things, and fortunately Mundelein is kind of a hub in that. Lake County is lucky to have all of the park districts that are here doing great things.
“When these kids grow up and they look back and say, ‘Yeah, I remember doing that Cottontail Trail,’” she said. “I think it’s just fantastic … just to know that you’re helping with those memories. We’re able to help people make memories and that’s really powerful.”
