2025 Mendota Heights Frozen Fun Fest Medallion Hunt

Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 12/27/2024 - 10:08 PM

Frozen Fun Fest: Medallion Hunt

Daily Clues will be posted at 9:00 AM starting Monday, February 3, 2025. Clues will be listed on Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation's Facebook page and the City's main webpage at www.mendotaheightsmn.gov.

2025 Medallion Hunt Rules:

The Mendota Heights Frozen Fun Fest Medallion is hidden in one of the following Mendota Heights City-owned public parks:
1. Civic Center Park
2. Copperfield Ponds
3. Friendly Hills Park
4. Hagstrom-King Park
5. Ivy Hills Park
6. Kensington Park
7. Market Square Park
8. Marie Park
9. Mendakota Park
10. Rogers Lake Park
11. Valley Park
12. Valley View Heights Park
13. Victoria Highlands Park
14. Wentworth Park
The medallion IS NOT HIDDEN in the following areas: do not search at the following:
1. Any natural, unmanicured areas
2. Mendota Heights Par 3 Community Golf Course
3. Oȟéyawahe/Historic Pilot Knob Preservation
4. The off-leash Dog Park on Acacia Boulevard
5. The Sibley Athletic Complex
6. Any City buildings/building properties including Public Works, the Fire Department, and City Hall/Police Department.
7. Near any body of water or embankment
8. At a height where climbing might be involved, such as in a tree or on top of recreation equipment, light posts, etc.
9. More than five feet off any trail or within any natural areas (forestland, prairie, tall vegetation, etc.)
10. Under the ground/soil
Please preserve the City’s Park amenities and natural resources while searching.
1. The City is working hard to restore its natural areas and rid them of invasive species. Help to prevent the spread of Invasive Species while searching by:
  - Before leaving home, check your clothing and gear to make sure you don’t have mud, seeds, or other debris on your boots, clothing, shovel/tools, or other gear. If you are bringing a pet, check their fur as well.
  - While searching, avoid leaving the trail, muddy areas, or tall vegetation. If moving from one park or natural area to another, clean all clothing, footwear, and tools before moving on to the next park or area. Do not dig into the soil.
  - Before going home, check yourself and pets for seeds, soil, or other debris. Clean and brush off all clothing gear, and pets.
  - For more information on how you can prevent the spread of invasive species, please visit: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrial/prevent_the_spread.html
2. Stick to maintained park and trail areas.
3. The medallion is not located under any surface that requires picking at or destroying, such as ice rink skating surfaces.
4. The medallion is not located in any park buildings, such as warming houses.
5. While careful snow shoveling is allowed, do not disturb habitat or wildlife.
Searchers must not damage public property or otherwise violate laws or ordinances. Do not disassemble items such as irrigation heads, light fixtures, and other equipment; the medallion is not hidden in these items. The use of tobacco or electronic cigarettes is not permitted in City parks; dogs must be kept on leashes of six feet or less per City Code, and pet waste must be picked up.
Searchers must adhere to City park hours: parks are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
City of Mendota Heights employees or family members of said employees are not eligible to win. Family members are defined as parents, children, or siblings.
Discovery of the medallion must be reported immediately by calling 952-495-7909.
Searchers assume all risks for personal injury.
The winner may be asked to sign a photo release form for publicity or promotional purposes.
If the medallion is not found by February 10 at 9:00 AM the hunt will terminate.

If the medallion is found, staff will announce the medallion hunt has ended by posting on the City’s website and on the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Facebook Page upon verification of the medallion being found.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Monday, February 3, 2025

Find Date

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Finders

Name

Ed Brodie

Name

Matt Littlefield

Prize

Maximum Prize

Prize Package

Awarded Prize

Prize Package

Location

General Location

Victoria Highlands Park

Pinpointed Location

In the Baseball Dugout

44.894411, -93.134154

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Monday, February 3, 2025, 9:00 AM

Four times you’ve come, four times you’ve sought;
In a park where memories are caught.
Amidst the trees, the earth, and the sky;
Your prize awaits, but don’t ask why.

The official meaning of the clue.

“Four times” meaning this is the 4th annual medallion hunt.
“In a park where memories are caught” = It’s in a park with sports that involve catching

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 9:00 AM

With wings of orange, they flutter and glide,

In gardens and meadows, they soar far and wide.

Follow their path where they dance on the breeze,

And find the eastward way, past the trees.

The official meaning of the clue.

35E is also known as The Monarch Highway. The first two lines allude to Monarch Butterflies, hence leading to 35E. “Find the eastward way, past the trees”= Victoria Highlands is just past a barrier of trees from 35E and the medallion is located on the eastern side of the park.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 9:00 AM

Though its name sounds regal, don’t be misled,

You won’t find your prize where a familiar Kensington is led.

Last year’s medallion found its home there,

But this year’s prize is far elsewhere, so beware.

The official meaning of the clue.

Last year’s medallion was found in Kensington Park which is a familiar location to Mendota Height’s residents. This clue alludes to an unfamiliar Kensington. Queen Victoria lived in the Kensington palace, giving clue that “Victoria” is a main clue. “far elsewhere” gives the impression that the medallion is hidden in a park far away from Kensington park, eliminating some parks near Kensington.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

From northern hills, a creature strides,
With shaggy coat and ancient pride.
A monarch’s sweet tooth, her fondest treat,
Is found where royal names and cakes do meet.

The official meaning of the clue.

The first two lines allude to Highland Cows located in Scotland to highlight “Highlands”
The 3rd and 4th lines allude to Queen Victoria who is famously known for her love of cakes. This highlights “Victoria” This clue gives the specific park the medallion is hidden in.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Where children play and water glows,
A place for games and trails that wind and grow.
The diamond shines where the players meet,
But your next clue lies where teams greet.

The official meaning of the clue.

Victoria Highlands has a playground “where children play” and a pond “water glows”. “Trails that wind and grow” =This clue also highlights Victoria Highlands’ walking path“
The diamond shines where the players meet” =Victoria Highlands has a baseball diamond, hinting seekers to search in parks with a baseball diamond.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Surrounded by streets with real names that shine,
They do not drive in a straight line.
Once you’ve arrived, look toward the game,
The ball field will help you stake your claim.

The official meaning of the clue.

The Victoria Highlands community has 7 street names that are often used to name people, and they are winding, curvy streets. Once you arrive at Victoria Highlands park, look toward where you can play an organized game in the park, leading you to the baseball field. This is where the medallion is hidden.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Look to the field, the game’s still in play,
The medallion’s there, just a step away.
The hunt is nearly done, you’re close to the end,
Your prize is where the players are penned.

The official meaning of the clue.

“Look to the field” = at the park, the medallion is near the baseball field.
“Where the players are penned” = they are “penned” or stay in the dugouts during games.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Hidden in the home team’s embrace,
Seek where a trail leaves no trace.
Look up high, but no need to climb,
Seek where a metal sign may chime.

The official meaning of the clue.

“Hidden in the home team’s embrace”= hidden in the home team dugout
“Seek where a trail leaves no trace”= there is no trail to the baseball field or dugouts.
“Look up high, but no need to climb”= the medallion is not located down low, it will be higher in the air, but you will not need to climb to search for it.
“Seek where a metal sign may chime” = The medallion is hidden on a metal sign in the home team dugout.

Clue Rating