Quest participants at Fort Griswold. Marian Galbraith / Thames River Heritage Park
The Thames River Quest, three treasure hunt-style hikes sponsored by Connecticut Sea Grant, the Thames River Heritage Park and The Day, drew 151 participants from towns throughout southeastern Connecticut and beyond on June 2.
The first-time event incorporated lessons about local history and ecology into guided routes through Fort Trumbull State Park and the downtown waterfront park in New London, as well as Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton. Participants found clues along the way to solve a word puzzle that led to a treasure. Those who did the Quests between 10 a.m. and noon that day could ride the heritage park water taxi between the three sites for free. The event, which took place on Connecticut Trails Day, attracted many families with children, as well as adult groups.
Those unable to take part in the Quests on June 2 can find PDFs of the Quest routes on the heritage park website, www.thamesriverheritagepark.org, to do the self-guided routes at their leisure.
A boatload of Quest participants leaves the dock near Fort Griswold. Marian Galbraith / Thames River Heritage Park
Some Quest participants arrived by hike and front pack carriers to Fort Griswold. Marian Galbraith / Thames River Heritage Park
Fort Griswold Quest participants show off the stickers they earned for finding the treasure. Marian Galbraith / Thames River Heritage Park
At the downtown New London waterfront park Quest, the first clues were found at the Eugene O’Neill statue. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
The waterfront park Quest took participants on the walkway along the Thames River. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
Quest participants at Fort Trumbull in 2018. Judy Benson / Connecticut Sea Grant
Quest participants learned the history of Fort Trumbull. Judy Benson / Connecticut Sea Grant
Quest participants count the openings in the blockhouse at Fort Trumbull to solve one of the clues. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
Judy Benson of Connecticut Sea Grant, right, hands out a Quest booklet at Fort Trumbull. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
A family finds clues on the path at Fort Trumbull. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
The clues were found throughout Fort Trumbull State Park. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
The Fort Trumbull Quest drew 72 participants. Nancy Balcom / Connecticut Sea Grant
