The Gloucester Department of Planning and Zoning wants residents to become better informed about what the department does and about the community.

Gloucester is taking part in the National Community Planning Month throughout October. Planning and zoning director Anne Ducey-Ortiz sees the month as an opportunity to promote what her staff does and where it does it.

To engage the public, Ducey-Ortiz said, her staff is working with the Gloucester Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism on a new program titled “Community Awareness Challenge.” “Participants will get to experience Gloucester from a different perspective than during their everyday activities,” a release said.

Persons visiting a number of sites or events during October will be entered into a contest for prizes. Ducey-Ortiz said prizes will be Gloucester specific, such as a free rental of a kayak or canoe at Beaverdam Park or a gift certificate for a PRT class or program.

Those who visit eight sit...