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‘A really sweet idea’: Toy coyote journeys around Crystal Lake as residents search for next hiding spot

Community game was dreamed up by resident looking to create a bit of joy

By Carina Lopez
John Niziolek, 10, and Evan Niziolek, 9, are photographed with the toy coyote on Jan. 26, 2021.

John Niziolek, 10, and Evan Niziolek, 9, are photographed with the toy coyote on Jan. 26, 2021. (Provided Niziolek Family)

Doug Hein of Crystal Lake wanted to create a community game, hoping to create a bit of joy during difficult times. His method: a little toy coyote purchased off Amazon that would make its way around the city of Crystal Lake.

Hein posted on the Crystal Lake, Illinois, Facebook page, instructing would-be participants on where they could find the coyote. They could then move it to a new location within Crystal Lake and post a picture of where it was so others could go searching.

The game began the last week of February and instantly took off. After a couple of minutes of the first post, the coyote had already been moved to a new location.

The game was moved Feb. 1 to a dedicated Crystal Lake coyote search Facebook page. Within the first day, the page had over 500 members.

“It took off a little faster than I was expecting it to. I didn’t know if people would really be into going out and finding it,” said Hein.

The coyote has found its way to all sorts of locations, including the McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption Center and the Crystal Lake Police Department.

“Have you heard of the Crystal Lake Coyote?” the Crystal Lake Police Department posted Jan. 26 on Facebook. “We sure did, he’s been roaming around all over Crystal Lake and we took custody over the little guy. He is currently in our holding cell. Come by the Police Department today before 4 P.M. and ask for Officer Alfano to bail him out. You might just get some Crystal Lake PD swag as well for you and your kids.”

Update: The Crystal Lake Coyote has been released and is on to its new adventure. Thanks for following! Have you heard...

Posted by Crystal Lake Police Department on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Jennifer Niziolek of Crystal Lake took her two boys John and Evan to find the coyote at the police department.

“It was a really sweet idea, and it’s nice because it incorporated the kids. It’s a nice source of happiness that we need right now,” Niziolek said. “We talked about where to leave the little guy and thought of the little library at the Nature Center. We thought it would be a good idea to place it somewhere that drives people to visit the Little Library where they might bring or leave a book.”

Now in a new location, the community continues to look for the coyote around the city.

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