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This replica of the TARDIS time-traveling space ship from the science fiction television show "Doctor Who" will be popping in and out of Medina County parks all summer.

(Ann Norman, Sun News)

MEDINA, Ohio - If you see something that seems a little out of place the next time you're out walking, picnicking or playing in a Medina County park, don't panic. We're sure the Doctor has things under control.

Well, we hope so, anyway.

The bright blue British police call box - the sentient time-traveling spaceship TARDIS from the long-running science fiction television show "Doctor Who" - will be making the rounds of our county parks this summer.

The full-size replica of the famous prop was designed and constructed over the winter by park district naturalists Clair Bailey, Mark Ludwig, Nichole Houze and Natalie Moore.

It will move from park to park every few weeks - no one knows exactly where or when it will show up next.

"This project was designed to test our recent foray into social media and as an attempt to reach some newer, younger audiences. Our goal is to see how fast this will catch on and generate interest through our social media outlets," said Interpretive Services Manager Shelley Tender.

Park visitors who come across the TARDIS are encouraged to take a picture and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #tardisinthepark. You can find the park district on Instagram at @medinacountyparks and on Twitter at @medinacoparks.

"Doctor Who" first aired on British television in 1963. Its newest incarnation has caught on with American teenagers and millenials. Tender said she hopes the younger generation, especially, will have fun searching for the TARDIS this summer.

"We are excited because this is such a unique endeavor - one that I don't think has been done before. It has the potential to create a lot of awareness about the parks," Tender said.

"Our hope is the TARDIS will attract the next generation of park visitors to discover many of our county parks, and in the process, they will see what a valuable resource they have in their own back yards," she said.

And perhaps the Doctor and his Companion will also get a chance to enjoy a little rest and relaxation - at least until they are next called upon to save the planet.