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Lone Point-CCC Structure-Great View Traditional Cache

Hidden : 10/16/2010
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is located within the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. THERE IS A FEE TO ENTER. At the time of this cache the fee was Adults $4.00, Children (3-17) $2.00, Seniors (65+) $3.00.

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A special thanks to MustangJoni. The ammo can is re-used from her now-archived awesome multi cache "Me Pirate's Treasure".

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The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is one of the best kept secrets in the area. The FWNC&R's 3600+ acres stretch across a transition zone or ecotone between two major ecological communities - the Fort Worth (Grand) Prairie and the Western Cross Timbers.
I've been coming out here for years. Since the kids were really little and we would mostly hang around the Hardwicke Interpretive Center and the Lotus Boardwalk. Lately, I've been coming back to do some hiking through the trails and plan on coming back for some of the activities. They have about 20 miles of trails. Don't forget to check out the Bison and the Priarie Dogs.

Here is a brief history taken from the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge website.


The Fort Worth Nature Center began with the Fort Worth Audubon Society and their decision to seek a sanctuary to assure a reasonable chance of survival for the wildlife of our city and its environs. In January of 1964, the Audubon Society formed a committee to seek such a place in the Fort Worth area. On February 12, 1964, the Fort Worth Park Board designated a 360-acre location on upper Lake Worth as a "wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve", and the local Audubon Society was given the responsibility for developing it.
But was that the beginning? Years earlier, the Civilian Conservation Corp was active in developing the area comprising the Fort Worth Nature Center. About 200 members and staff personnel of CCC Camp No. 1816 were located south of the Nature Center across the Jacksboro Highway on the shore of Lake Worth near Sunset Park. The original goal of Camp No. 1816 was to create a state park, ST-31-T, or State Park No. 31, Texas. While a state park did not materialize, there is ample evidence today of the CCC work done in the Nature Center. The rock steps of the Caprock and Canyon Ridge trails are still solidly in place. The remnants of the rock shelters they built are still there - Lone Point, Rest Awhile, and Broadview, along with stone and concrete picnic tables and restroom facilities are encountered on the Canyon Ridge trail and elsewhere.

Or what about in 1958, when the Fort Worth Rehabilitation Farm was begun with 109 acres leased to Liberty Mission? Several facilities were built to house and feed the inhabitants of the Rehabilitation Farm. The Rehabilitation Farm ceased operations on December 31, 1984. Remodeling of one of the structures into the Fort Worth Nature Center Service Center began in March 1993 and was completed in June 1993. The other structure awaits remodeling and is used at the present time as open storage for various items.

But, fast forward back to 1964, when the Audubon Society got busy laying out trails and setting up a shelter house on Greer Island. The first naturalist, William Spalsbury, began work on June 17, 1964.

In 1967, the City of Fort Worth took advantage of the expiration of leases in the area and expanded the center to more than 3,000 acres. In February 1970, planning began for an official building on the Center. The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, Interior Department, approved a grant of $40,000 matching a like amount from the city. In November of 1970, the name of Robert E. Hardwicke, who had been active in conservation work and in legislation to protect park areas, was proposed for the new Center. On September 17, 1971, the Hardwicke Interpretive Center was dedicated. At the same time, an advisory board was formed to assist with input from various interested groups in planning for future developments. In January 1971, the first steps toward fencing the refuge to prevent vandalism and dumping were taken.

As a result of efforts by the Meadowbrook Garden Club, the Junior League, and a gift by Mrs. Harry Wallengburg, the Boardwalk over the Lotus Marsh was completed in 1974. In 1975, the name Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge was formally established.

In 1977, the first prairie dog town was established. In 1978, the road around Lake Worth was closed at Greer Island to control vandalism and dumping. In 1980, the need for additional space in the Interpretive Center was realized and construction for an auditorium, library, and offices was begun and dedicated in February 1981. In 1985, the Women in Construction renovated an old home site, complete with a windmill, as a shelter house for programs and groups, which is known as the Alice Ashley Shelter.
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This cache is located at one at the site of one of the CCC structures. And it has one of the best views in the whole area.

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Cache is an ammo can full of swag.

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The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge welcomes caches and cachers but they do have guidelines for placing caches. One of those guidelines is needing prior permission to place a cache and prior approval of the cache location. Both of which have been obtained for this cache.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre ghearq bire fgbar cvpavp gnoyr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
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N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)