Contest runs July 16 – Oct. 29, 2020*. Join the hunt anytime for a chance to win prizes!
Looking for a fun social-distancing outdoor adventure to do this summer? Need to take a mindful break? Want to be eligible to win $50 or $500 gift cards? If so, join the Great Sign Hunt by taking a walk or hopping on your bike to find signs across Santa Clara County!
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, has partnered with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) to create an outdoor “scavenger hunt” to help find these signs which may need maintenance or replacement.
Valley Water has signs with essential information about where to go, what to avoid, and often provide interesting facts about our creeks, waterways and environment. However, they’re only helpful if they’re in good condition.
Many Valley Water signs border our water infrastructure facilities, creeks, creek trails, and waterway entrances in Santa Clara County (see the “Helpful Links” section below). The signs provide essential information related to location, direction, educational, and/or regulatory, health and safety messages. Updating and replacing the signs regularly will ensure accurate and up-to-date information is conveyed to the public and those who interact with Valley Water facilities and property. This is where you can help.
The scavenger hunt begins July 16 – Oct. 29* with the goal of finding 18,000 signs. Biking and walking outdoors for exercise is allowed as an outdoor recreational activity under the current public health orders, and participants are encouraged to stay safe (i.e. wear protective gear) and follow all public health orders including social distancing and wearing a mask.
Through a handy mobile app, you can snap photos of Valley Water signs you find, note their condition, and submit the sign for inventory. There are thousands of Valley Water signs throughout Santa Clara County so there are plenty of opportunities to compete to win a prize!
SVBC, pedestrians, and bicyclists just like you have helped identify about 1,500 signs, 300 of which are severely damaged. With your help, we can locate and identify more signs to keep you and the environment safer! Check out some examples of Valley Water signs below. They are not always blue and will likely have an old logo on them. Some signs may only have “Santa Clara Valley Water District” in text only. The signs may be white, have a wooden frame or have other agencies names on them.
We hope you can join us for this sign hunting adventure. Just remember to stay safe, follow all public health orders, and most importantly – have fun!
For more details on how to register, contest prizes and eligibility, please visit: https://bikesiliconvalley.org/valley-water-great-sign-hunt-2020/
*Duration is dependent on Santa Clara County’s public health order
ABOUT SILICON VALLEY BICYCLE COALITION
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to create a healthy community, environment, and economy through bicycling for people who live, work, or play in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. SVBC hosts bicycle events, such as Bike to Work Day, and provides programs and policy work to help the people of Silicon Valley feel safe about using their bikes.
SVBC will be promoting the Great Sign Hunt on their social media and tagging Valley Water. While you’re out sign hunting, don’t forget to tag your photo adventure via your favorite social media with #GreatSignHunt2020!
Visit their website to learn more about the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and how you can get involved!
If you have questions about this contest, please contact:
- Kate Plant, SVBC Community Projects Coordinator, kate@bikesiliconvalley.org
- Peggy Lam, Valley Water Community Benefits Analyst, plam@valleywater.org or 408‑912-0088
HELPFUL LINKS
Valley Water News 
I’m too elderly and frail to join this hunt; however, I remember a water dist sign on a bench that needs refurbishing, It is located on the Guadalupe River trail levee in Alviso, just about 50 yards upstream from the South Bay Yacht Club.
LikeLiked by 1 person