By Drew Layton
If you have frequented the Perry Park Center recently, you may have noticed something a little bit different — Oliver the Rock Snake.
“We wanted to get kids off of technology to explore their creative side,” said Perry Park Center recreation supervisor Cindy Huck. “In addition to allowing the kids to explore their creative side, we also wanted to give them an incentive to spend some time outside.”
The whole scheme behind Oliver the Snake is that for every rock that is painted, turned in, and placed at the end of the snake, participants will receive a free day pass to the Perry Park Center.
“Since we began this program, we have noticed an influx of residents who have never come into the park center before,” Huck said, “So not only is this an exciting new program for our youth, but it is also a chance to promote the park center to our residents who have had no prior experience with us.”
Since the beginning of this program on June 27, Huck has said that approximately 135 rocks have been turned in, and that Oliver the snake is now roughly 35 feet long. Huck expects that Oliver will “only continue to grow as the summer winds on.”
Huck credits the idea for Oliver the Snake to Perryville city administrator Brent Buerck and Perry County Heritage Tourism Director Trish Erzfeld. Other cities and towns across the state and country have tried a similar program, and it has been a success in their communities.
Although patrons of the Perry Park Center may not realize it, the name “Oliver” has symbolic meaning for the city of Perryville.
“The name Oliver was chosen, because it represents the namesake of the city and county,” Huck said.
Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819) was one of the most esteemed naval commanders throughout all of American history, winning consequential naval campaigns throughout the Revolutionary War until his death in 1819. Perryville and Perry County were named after him in commemoration of his exploits.
