The Bird family of Walpole, Massachusetts was a mill-owning family in the old Victorian tradition. They believed that workers, to stay healthy and happy and work their best, needed recreation and play. To that end, they provided this park for the enjoyment of nature, and nearby Ellis Field for sports. Bird Park is nearly 90 acres of neatly landscaped paths, designed by architect and city planner John Nolen in the 1920s. Though the park has changed in many ways, much of his original vision remains.
This park is dedicated to the memory of Francis William Bird. The son of Charles Sumner Bird, Sr. and his wife Anna, he was a victim of the 1918 'Flu Pandemic. In loss of life, this was the largest catastrophe ever suffered by the US (and many other countries), though few are aware of it today. Google "influenza" and "1918" and you'll understand why there's so much fuss every Fall about stockpiling vaccine.
There are three parking areas for Bird Park: one on Pleasant Street, one on Rhoades Avenue (shared with a church, so use another on Sunday mornings) and one on Polley Lane. More information, directions to the park and parking areas can be found at http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/329_bird_park.cfm.
This is a much-used and well-loved neighborhood park, so discretion is often required. Park management is aware of the hide and I've promised we'll play nice. It's about sixty feet off the path in an Official Geocache hard plastic box. This cache has been moved from it's original position, due to muggles.