Thirty-four teams participated in the third annual IPRA Park Pursuit on September 14 inWrigleyville.With a course length of just over eight miles, these park and recreation professionals were given a true test of physical endurance. But working together and having great attitudes got every single team across the finish line with smiles on their faces.

Congratulations to the winning team from the Downers Grove Park District - the "DG Detours." In second place was the team "JBRA" from the Itasca Park District. Rounding out third place, and getting the award for furthest distance traveled, was the Freeport Park District's "The Pretzel City Pursuit." We can't forget about our team with the best costume, the "A.T.L. Specials" from the Main-Niles Association of Special Recreation.

20 Illinois Parks & Recreation www.ILipra.org

During the Park Pursuit, teams followed clues and participated in challenges all throughout the Wrigleyville area, up and down the lake front, and - for some - a little bit out of the way.

Teams had to follow the course in these prescribed steps.

1.  Complete a puzzle along the lake with three of the team members unable to contribute other than to just try to give direction.

2.  Find our "skipper" at the Belmont Harbor, who notified teams that the "SS Minnow" capsized near the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary.

3.  At the sanctuary, teams had to find the message in a bottle left by the SS Minnow crew for a treasure map to the next location.

4. Then teams needed to find the X on the map, where our friends at 9FM were helping us out.

5.  Then, decision time: Pick a random clue card to either run the bases while spinning around a bat at each base or consecutively volleying a tennis ball without missing.

6. Teams then headed to Wrigley Field where they needed to find a random person who had the next clue (those people were names on the commemorative bricks outside Wrigley - a very tough challenge for most).

7.  Next, teams raced to the Briar Street Theater to perform like the Blue Man Group and catch marshmallows from a 10-foot distance.

8.  Nearing the end now, teams headed to the School of Rock music studio, where they had to karaoke to mystery songs.

9.  Finally everyone raced (or crawled) to the final destination, Redmond's, for a well-deserved reception.

Participants found the Park Pursuit to be a great day to be with friends and colleagues, practicing what they preach - recreation. But it's more than just fun and games (and some sore muscles and blisters). Groups had to learn to function as teams. Everyone got to meet new people and network a bit. And the whole event really just brought everyone together to enjoy what they do for a living - parks and recreation.

Thanks again to everyone for having a great time and making the Park Pursuit another huge success.

View More Park Pursuit Pictures

Visit the Park Pursuit picture gallery at http://flickr.com/photos/ipra.

www.ILparks.org November/December 2007 --- 2 1