VALPARAISO | If you have a fond memory of the city's parks, the city is offering you a chance to share it and become a published author at the same time.

The parks department is holding an essay contest for everyone from first-graders to adults. Entrants have to write a one-page, double-spaced, typewritten essay on either "What is your most memorable experience with the parks?" or "Why do you continue to use and support parks programs?"

Kelly Deal, parks department guest relations and marketing coordinator, said the 25 or 30 best essays will be printed in a 100-page coffee table book about the parks, which will be published and made available for sale in the fall.

The essays will be used to illustrate a collection of pictures called "Faces of the Parks." The pictures show people involved in activities at the parks, but they also show the parks' "face" as well. Many of them reveal the lovely landscaping of the parks.

"We want people to tell the story of the parks and why we have such a wonderful system and why parks are important," Deal said. "It will be a timeless piece, and it is important to hear first-graders' stories, even if they can't express themselves as well as adults."

As for adults, Deal said many older residents "might have grown up in the Valparaiso parks system and have all these great memories, and we'd love for them to share them with us as well."

The deadline for submitting essays is April 20, and winning essays might be edited due to limited space. Essays should be submitted to Recreation Coordinator Megan Owens at the parks department office on Campbell Street or e-mailed to her at mowen@valparaisoparks.org.

For more information or official rules of the contest, go to the department's Web site at www.valparaisoparks.org or call (219) 462-5144.