Dartmouth Park # 1 Main Entrance Traditional Cache
Dartmouth Park # 1 Main Entrance
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The cache consists of a small magnetic cylinder that contains only a log book so you will need to provide your own writing implement
Dartmouth Park is an historic park located between West Bromwich town centre and Sandwell Valley. It contains a wide range of floral displays, two lakes, a children’s play area and sweeping views of Sandwell Valley. I would like to thank the staff at Sandwell Valley Management Countryside Team for allowing me to hide this cache. History of the park. A local benefactor of the town called Reuben Farley, served three terms as Mayor of West Bromwich and wanted to improve the conditions of the "man in the street" with the provision of a park. He contacted the Earl of Dartmouth, who had previously offered some land: “The want of a public park at West Bromwich has long been felt and would indeed be a great bon to the hardy sons of toil whose life it is to dwell here.” The Earl suggested two alternative sites, one of 50 acres next to Cooper’s Hill near West Bromwich and the other, of 44 acres, on the Handsworth border. The former was selected because it was close to the town centre. It was acquired by the West Bromwich Improvement Commissioners in August 1876,at the nominal rent of £1 per year on a 99 year lease. The site occupied an area of high ground in the south-western corner of the Sandwell Valley, with a commanding view over the River Tame Valley. West Bromwich lay to the north-west and had undergone recent vast expansion by prosperous Victorian industrialists, who had constructed the ‘Golden Mile’ through the Town Centre along the old Wolverhampton to Birmingham road. The busy road junction at Mayer’s Green offered the most convenient entrance point into the park, allowing easy access for the surrounding populace from Lindon, Mayer’s Green and West Bromwich in the north. A lodge was proposed to house the resident keeper who would control the adjacent park gates and maintain order in the park. The Earl gave permission for the Commissioners to name the new park Dartmouth Park. The design of the park was put out to competition, advertised in the Gardener’s Chronicle at a construction budget of £2,500. After deliberating for two days, the judges chose a design by one John MacClean over the other six entries. The Park Opens The park was opened by the Earl of Dartmouth on June 3rd 1878. Construction far exceeded its original budget of £2,500 with the total cost of £12,623. A general holiday was declared for the procession from the Town Hall to the new park and attendance was so great that the gates had to be shut, keeping out hundreds of people. The new entrance gates were officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Sandwell on 17th March 2011. This cache can be accessed 24/7 and is situated in a high muggle area so extreme stealth will be required. Free car parking is available adjacent to GZ
ROLL OF HONOUR:
FTF : Coast to coasters
STF : Graham1875
TTF : Rockriders
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jurer zrgny zrrgf oevpx - zntargvp
Treasures
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