Hempstead Town Launches Triple Crown Scavenger Hunt

In the lead up to the Belmont Stakes, and a possible Triple Crown winner, Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen and Councilmembers Erin King Sweeney and Bruce Blakeman have created a Triple Crown Scavenger Hunt that residents can participate in for the chance to win four tickets to the big event.

“I’m so excited about this scavenger hunt, which provides the community an opportunity to tour our town’s parks and learn the history of the Belmont Stakes,” said Gillen. “I can’t wait to see if Justify wins the Triple Crown on June 9 and lands the next winner's photo in our park!”

The scavenger hunt will have 12 four-foot by four-foot signs that each feature one of the dozen Triple Crown winners with a picture of the winning horse and some historical facts. One sign will be placed in each of the following townpPark facilities: Averill Boulevard Park, 145 Averill Blvd., Elmont; Rath Park, 849 Fenworth Blvd. Franklin Square; Echo Park, 399 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead; Oceanside Park, 3800 Mahlon Brower Drive, Oceanside; Rock Hall Museum 199 Broadway, Lawrence; Veterans Memorial Park, 1700 Prospect Ave., East Meadow; Harold Walker Park, 1085 Woodfield Road, Lakeview; Uniondale Avenue Park, 710 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale; Newbridge Road Park, 2600 Newbridge Rd., Bellmore; Merrick Road Park, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick; Seaman’s Neck Park, 2700 South Seamans Neck Rd., Seaford; Baldwin Park, 3232 South Grand Ave., Baldwin Harbor.

In order to win the scavenger hunt, you must be the first person to e-mail the names of the Triple Crown winners are at which park to TripleCrown@tohmail.org. The first person to send the most complete list of winners will win the tickets to the race. Town employees and their families are ineligible for the competition.

“The Belmont Stakes is the third jewel in the Triple Crown, and we want our residents of all ages to realize that this exciting and historical race happens right here in Hempstead Town,” said King Sweeney. “We thought a scavenger hunt that families could participate in together, where they could learn about some of the Triple Crown winners and possibly win tickets to the race was the perfect way to recognize the town’s role as host of this phenomenal event.”

The Triple Crown signs will be up at all 12 parks at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 1. The competition will close at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5. If nobody has sent the 12 correct answers, at that time it will be determined who was the first to send in the most correct answers. Entrants should be sure to include their name, address and the best phone number to contact them with their entry.
The Belmont Stakes, which takes place at Belmont Park in Elmont, is the oldest of the three Triple Crown races, with the first running in 1867. On June 9, Justify is hoping to join the distinguished list this year rather than being added to the 22 Triple Crown hopefuls who were unable to win the Belmont Stakes after victories at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

"The excitement leading up to the Kentucky Derby is palpable in that area, and I want to see that same enthusiasm for the Belmont Stakes here in Hempstead Town,” King Sweeney said. "I think this scavenger hunt is one fun way in which we can get a lot of people involved and thinking about the upcoming race.”

Photo courtesy Town of Hempstead