RDN’s Golden Shoe Hunt withstands the test of time

Christina Finnie, RDN recreation coordinator, oversees the endearing promotion — in fact she helped launch the original concept featuring the goal of encouraging people to explore regional parks.

“We’ve had familiar names and faces that have come back year after year, or we’ve met young adults who say that they found the shoe when they were young and are out looking again; it really has captured hearts over the years,” Finnie told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Detailed Golden Shoe instructions and clues are posted here via the RDN’s Get Involved page.

Participants are asked not to move the shoe to allow others to participate.

Finnie said the original intent was to create an accessible, free way to encourage people to explore RDN parks, including branching out to perhaps parks people haven’t explored previously.

The idea was pitched at a staff planning meeting.

“Somebody randomly brought this up, and we took it from there and it stuck.”

Golden Shoe Hunt has altered over the years since debuting in the fall of 2007.

Tokens were awarded at one time to shoe finders to be used at Ravensong Aquatic Centre and Oceanside place, Finnie noted.

Golden Shoe Hunt evolved to an on-site box containing prizes, however garbage accumulation scrapped the concept.

This year’s Golden Shoe Hunt debut week spawned about 40 people who reported successfully tracking clues to Top Bridge Regional Trail

Finnie believes people appreciate how easy it is to take part in Golden Shoe Hunt.

“The simplicity of just not having to bring anything, you’re just finding the shoe, and I think that people love their parks and any excuse to get out into the parks is a good excuse.”

There’s been a few unintended consequences during the extended Golden Shoe Hunt run over the years.

Finnie chuckled recalling occasions where dogs brought the shoe home, or people unintentionally moved shoes.

“We’ve had quite a few adventures with the shoe, it does end up some odd places at times, but we do ask that you leave it for other people to come and find.”

This pooch isn’t to blame, but others have inadvertently taken RDN golden shoes away from their intended temporary home! (Image Credit: Regional District of Nanaimo)

Golden Shoe Hunt runs annually from Easter to May long weekends.

A new labeled shoe is placed in a different park for each of the six week campaign.

Finnie stated favoured past hidings spots are being resurrected to celebrate the hunt’s 20th anniversary.

She emphasized that the shoe has never eluded hunters, which is strategically placed in accessible, visible areas.

“We’ll continue on and make some changes each year to make it a little more exciting to bring people to new parks, as long as it’s wanted,” Finnie concluded.

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by Ian Holmes

RDN’s Golden Shoe Hunt withstands the test of time

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