A Stroll in the Park Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

ohjoy!: It is with heavy heart that I archive this cache. It was a favorite park of mine when I worked for Seattle Parks and Recreation as volunteer coordinator. The local citizens fought an attempt to build a high rise on the property and instead created these wonderful gardens.

The Bradner building, an important part of the puzzle and the location of the final container, suffered a devastating fire in the early hours of August 24 that destroyed the western half of the building that housed the garden tool room, kitchenette and the insect-themed tile restroom. The restroom was memorable because it was a public restroom that was fun to see and use for so many people.

Evidence points to arson. A neighbor's surveillance cameras show a suspicious person emerging from the area of the building approximately 20 minutes before the fire was called in. This video was given to the Seattle Police Arson and Bomb Squad.

In spite of all the damage, the gardens are looking great and thriving thanks to the efforts of the P-Patch gardeners. Every Saturday, gardeners harvest produce to donate to the Rainier Valley Food Bank. So far this year, Bradner has contributed 1,133 pounds and the season is not over yet.

The gardeners and many friends are determined to rebuild.

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Hidden : 5/7/2004
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The above coordinates are for parking. Take a copy of this document with you to solve the puzzle. Park hours are dawn to dusk. Please note that neighbors often call the police if people are seen in the park after dark.

This puzzle cache takes you on a self-guided tour of Bradner Gardens Park. As you read and stroll through the park, jot down answers to be used for the final coordinates.

I hope you to enjoy your visit!

Stage one: Once you have parked, walk to the covered pavilion and take a 360° look around Bradner Gardens Park, a 1.6-acre city-owned park. In 1997, community residents prevented the sale of this property to housing developers, using an ordinance declaring that no parkland can be sold or traded for non-park uses unless it is replaced with similar property in the same neighborhood.

Bradner Gardens Park, as you now see it, was the vision of neighborhood volunteers who worked with Seattle Parks and Recreation staff to turn a dream into reality. These community volunteers donated more than 40,000 hours of labor to build and maintain the park.

The Pavilion, the bridge to the NW, and the three entry arbors were designed and constructed by students of the Howard S. Wright Design/Build class at the University of Washington School of Architecture.

Stage two: Cross the bridge (to the Northwest) and go past the Seattle Tilth Backyard Garden to the ADA restroom, tool storage area, and meeting room – all solar powered. Go into the restroom and count the number of slugs ____ and the number of “uneaten” red chili peppers ____ decorating the walls. (Do NOT include the peppers eaten by the ladybug in this number!) THEN, count the total number of red peppers ____ including those the ladybug ate.

Stage three: Take a minute to read posted information about workshops, volunteer projects, events, and other items of interest between the two buildings. Count the number of corkboards ____. Go to the farthest east wall of the buildings and check the electric meter. It frequently runs in reverse (right to left) because the solar energy being produced is given back to the city.

Stage four: At the base of the working windmill, find the vintage dates for this type of windmill. Write down the last number of the first date ____. To the north of this area is the Native Plant Habitat, planted to provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Stage five: Cross back over the bridge and head north, past some of the Children’s Gardens and most recent p-patches, to the art bench, which was carved from a log. Count the number of adult salmon __5__ on the bench. (number given until I can get up there to do the research needed)

Stage six: Head east and then south along the perimeter of the park, past the compost area and the WSU Urban Food Garden which demonstrates intensive, organic, and water-wise vegetable and fruit gardening for the backyard gardener. Produce grown here is donated to local food banks. At this point, look around and count the number of scarecrows ____ in the park’s gardens. (There were 3 present when the cache was originally placed; if one or more have been removed, please use the original number.)

Stage seven: Go south along the perimeter path, past the path where you entered, and enter the Master Gardener Ornamental Border gardens. You will find rocks identifying the seven theme gardens found here. Note the decorated hose bibs as you pass them. Just after the path turns west at the south end of the park, look for the birdbath with ____ lion’s heads decorating it. (With all of the growth surrounding it, you may want to walk on the lawn or down a little path to confirm your number; no need to walk into the garden itself.)

Stage eight: Return to the perimeter path on the south and go west to enter a walkway that heads north between the original 61 plots in the P-Patch Garden. As you start up this walkway, note the 2nd number ____ and the 4th number ____ of the Original P-Patch date. These plots are used year-round to grow fresh produce, herbs, and flowers.

Stage nine: As you walk through the P-Patch Gardens, look to the west. You will notice a half court basketball area and a Children’s Play Area featuring a play tractor and plants that are child-friendly and low maintenance. Enjoy the art fence separating the P-Patch from the play areas, and note that there are ____ pitchforks (broken or no handles) on one of the panels. (Don't count the single ones on other panels.) You may find that you need to walk around to the other side to get an accurate count.

Stage ten: Continue north until you return to the pavilion. There you can sit down and figure the math for the final cache coordinates. You can also enjoy more than 50 trees planted throughout the park as part of a Street Tree Demonstration showing trees appropriate for planting in small urban yards and under utility lines.

Final coordinates are N 47° 35.ABC W 122° 17.DEF

A = number of corkboards minus number of “uneaten” peppers = ____
B = last number of the first date from the windmill = ____
C = P-Patch date - 2nd number minus 4th number = ____

D = number of pitchforks minus number of scarecrows = ____
E = number of adult salmon minus number of slugs = ____
F = number of lion heads plus total number of peppers = ____

BE DISCREET in your search – there are frequent visitors to this park. Final cache is a micro. There is room for very small trade items only.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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