Bigfoot on the prowl in Seneca Parks

Seneca Parks has learned Sasquatch has been spotted in one of the district's 10 parks and is seeking help to keep track of the elusive primate. "Sasquatch has wandered far from its southern and eastern Ohio locations, where they are normally spotted in wooded, secluded areas," said naturalist Angie Ford. She said he's a guest in Seneca County as the park district prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2021, but most people know Bigfoot is secretive and doesn't like to be in the public eye. "If you catch a glimpse, do not attempt to approach Bigfoot," Ford said. "Researchers say that it is highly dangerous to try and interact with this creature, as their behavior is still so unknown and unpredictable." Instead, people who visit the parks are invited to document sightings anytime in the next year when they see Squatch in the distance. She said people keep plenty of space between themselves and the creature, so no selfies with Squatch. "Sasquatch is Sasquatch. He's unpredictable," Ford said. "We don't want you to get too close. We want to keep some distance between you." Documented sightings should be emailed to Ford at aford@senecacountyparks.com. Sightings should include a photo of Squatch along with the location where he was seen and the date and time of the sighting. If possible, include the name of the trail he was seen from. In addition to the photo, people should include a comment about a favorite part of the park where they saw Squatch, or something they liked about it. Some photos and comments will be used on Facebook, but "we're not going to put anything on there that will reveal which park he's in." People can find clues about which park Squatch is visiting throughout 2021 by checking the park district's website, www.senecacountyparks.com, or its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/SenecaCountyParks. "Using those clues, they'll have to figure which park he's in," she said. "And then they can hike the park and take a picture of him." Park staff members plan to track each person's sightings on a spreadsheet and plan to award prizes. For 5-15 documented sightings, people will get a patch or medallion. The prize for 15-20 sightings is a Seneca Squatch mug or hat (two per family), and people who submit more than 20 sightings will be placed in a drawing to win a Seneca Sasquatch prize package. Ford said the idea to invite Squatch to help celebrate the park district's anniversary originated with Natural Resources Manager Troy Gibson, and they've been working together on the details of how to keep track of Squatch's movements during his yearlong visit. "I just thought it would give people an incentive to get out in the parks and look around more," Ford said. The main point is for people to visit more parks more often and see for themselves the variety of habitat and species that can be found in the nature preserves. Squatch will get to visit all 10 of the parks, she said, and he'll be somewhere people won't see him from the road or parking lot. "He could be anywhere in whatever park the clues lead to," she said. "So they're going to have to hike around and find him."