Getting Egg-cited: Local youths hunt for over 3,000 Easter Eggs at Riverview Park

by Rachel Hunter

The Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza, hosted by the Gouverneur Recreation Department and the Riverview Park Association, was held on Saturday, April 13 at the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center and Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur. The event was held later than usual due to inclement weather and muddy conditions on the local athletic fields.

The Easter Bunny hopped down the bunny trail to the Riverview Recreational Park to hide over 3,000 colorful Easter Eggs on the Coach Porter Volunteer Football Field, alongside the upper and lower softball fields. Just before 10 a.m., he hopped into the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center for visits with local youths.

Big smiles spread across the children’s faces as they greeted, visited, and had their photos taken with the Easter Bunny, and received special treats. The event was complete with the Gouverneur Recreation Department staff leading Easter-themed games earning the youths extra tickets in the free raffle drawing for a chance to win one of the fun-filled Easter baskets. The event was complete with a free movie, “Hop,” being shown in the Howard Van Norton Media Center and the Halford Bros. Community Room. Refreshments were also served to all those in attendance.

At 11 a.m., Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell in partnership with Jennifer Link of the Riverview Park Association announced the start of the Easter Egg Hunt. With coats and boots donned and Easter baskets and bags in hand, the children ran to the athletic fields to hunt for the colorful Easter Eggs. The event was facilitated by the Gouverneur Recreation Department and Riverview Park Association staff. The youths were separated into age groups (1-3, 4-6, and 7-10). All registered youth upon arrival were urged to wait for the countdown. The anticipation built as the local youths were eager to find the colorful Easter Eggs “hidden” all over the three athletic fields. Squeals of delight sounded as they were given permission to go hunt the eggs.

The event took mere moments. Jeremy Link of the Riverview Park Association later told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that not even one-half of a plastic Easter egg had been left on the grounds. The local youth hefted their filled Easter baskets and bags and brought them back to the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center, where the youths received even more candy, toys and treats.

The local families then enjoyed the free Easter Basket raffle drawing, alongside more Easter-themed fun.

The event was made possible thanks to the Gouverneur Recreation Department, the Riverview Park Association, and the Gouverneur Community Center. Much gratitude and appreciation were extended to all those who volunteered, donated candy, treats or Easter eggs, or contributed any type of service toward the event’s success.

The Gouverneur Recreation Department and the Riverview Park Association are already in talks with the Gouverneur Community Center to schedule the Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza ahead of Easter 2025.