Bloomington Parks sponsors trick-or-treat trail

Children displaying Scooby Doo, lion and butterfly costumes trotted across a wooden bridge to meet the three little pigs as part of their journey on the Trick-or-Treat Trail Saturday at Bloomington’s RCA Community Park.

The trail, a no-scare trick or treat event sponsored by Bloomington Parks and Recreation, was catered toward families with young children.

The trail featured about 12 stops with different storybooks and Disney characters at each spot, said Bill Ream, community events coordinator for Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

The characters included Snow White, Peter Pan and the three little pigs, among others.    

“We have trail leaders that take them through the woods and then stop and do a little skit with them each time,” Ream said. “We have some more activities and games going on while they are waiting.”

The annual trail has been going on for about a decade, Ream said.

“It’s been very good over the years,” Ream said. “The kids really enjoy it.”

Ream emphasized the no-scare aspect of the event.

“We don’t have people jumping out from behind trees or anything,” Ream said. “It’s something different, and it’s an event the kids aren’t going to be able to experience going house to house.”

Josh Lighty said he brought his son Alex and daughter Adalayn to the trail to spend a day in the community.

“I think they liked interactions with characters the most,” Lighty said. “It seemed like it got them engaged.”

Lighty also spoke positively of the trail’s no-scare aspect.

“It’s a different side of Halloween,” he said. “It was a really good approach to the day part, and the kids got a lot out of it.”

IU students helped Bloomington Parks and Recreation with running the event.

Freshman Nikaya Collins said she decided to help with the trail because she thought it would be fun.

“I think it’s a fun thing for the little kids,” Collins said. “It’s a safe way for them to go trick or treating and have a great time.”

Some students from HPER-R 430, Event Planning and Program and Program Development, volunteered at the event for their service learning projects.

Senior Lorna Steele, who is in the class, said she chose the trail for her learning service project because she enjoys interacting with children.

Steele also said it’s good to incorporate the IU students in the community.

“The community sees the campus being active, and people from the campus come and see more of the community,” Steele said. “I just think it makes it more unified altogether.”