This cache is 1 of 5 in a series to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Parks and Recreation in the City of Plano. Each cache in the series has a sticker. The first 50 people to collect all 5 and bring them to the Parks & Recreation Admin (5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano) will get some swag and a customized trackable geocoin!
About the park: This park (named after former Parks and Recreation Director Bob Woodruff) is home to Plano’s Bicentennial Bur Oak tree. However, this tree is more than 200 years old. Designated as the Bicentennial Tree in 1987, it was later discovered that this tree—the largest, oldest tree in the City of Plano—is actually over 500 years old! Not only was this tree in existence during the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it was setting its roots around the time when Spanish and French explorers were trading with the local Native American tribes. Pretty cool!
Plano’s Bicentennial Bur Oak tree is approximately 90 feet tall, 196 inches in circumference, and has a crown spread of 103 feet. For comparison, the Texas State Champion Bur Oak, the largest known Bur Oak in Texas, is located in Cooke County. It is 75 feet tall, 268 inches in circumference and has a crown spread of 111 feet, according to the Texas Historic Tree Coalition.