Mr. Cobblestone? Sir Winter Potato? Park Board holds groundhog naming contest on Facebook

Move over, Punxsutawney Phil, there's another groundhog looking to make a name for himself.

Or rather, the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department is trying to do it for him.

The department posted on its Facebook page Tuesday morning that they have been wanting to name the little guy who tends to pop up around Jordan Valley Park.

Instead of just naming him themselves, they opened it up to suggestions on Facebook.

"The name we like most will get free ice skating passes at Jordan Valley Ice Park," it says. "Hit us up in the comments and help us name the groundhog! Good luck!"

Some suggestions so far have been rather tame, like Carl, Greg or Gary. Others have been more playful like Cashew, Mr. Potato Bottom and Woodchuck Norris.

One commenter offered a suggestion from a 7-year-old: Nate, as in hiberNate.

The parks department later announced that it will take nominations until midnight Thursday night, so if you want to throw your hat in the ring (or just see what everyone else has suggested so far) you can visit Springfield-Greene County Park Board on Facebook.

As of Wednesday morning, there were more than 150 comments on the post. Those receiving the most likes from other users so far include Chapstick, Nate and Bill Furry.

The winner will be announced next week, the department said.

Jordan Valley Park is located in downtown Springfield at 635 E. Trafficway, between the Jordan Valley Ice Park and Hammons Field. Once a blighted industrial area, the park was born from Springfield's Vision 20/20 long-range plan, which helped spur downtown renewal in the 1990s and 2000s.

The 15-acre park opened in 2002 with a mix of open plazas, rolling hills, play features, picnic areas, walking paths and the tumbling Ozarks Stream and Fountain.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Park Board holds groundhog naming contest on Facebook