A cache by mister-tee Message this owner

Hidden : 7/4/2021

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Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to "What Once Was VII - St. Julien Park."

So much of London has changed and through the What Once Was series, I hope to provide just a wee bit of history about London's past. In particular, the east end.

This area, St Julien Park and Vauxhall Park was once a thriving recreational area along Hamilton Road. St.Julian St & Park were named in honor of the Canadians who fought and died in this -1st World War battle. The Battle of Julien is historically better known as "The Second Battle of Ypres." It was the first mass use by Germany of poison gas on the Western Front. It lasted from April 23 - May 4, 1915.

In 1922, the city hired a town planner to suggest possibilities for creating a beautiful city. He declared the Thames River to be London’s greatest asset and encouraged the city to acquire the floodplain lands and turn them into open green spaces for residents to enjoy. Economic depression and the Second World War delayed these plans. In the 1960s, his suggestions, which were similar to the UTRCA’s subsequent regulations, were implemented and a 25-year beautification plan was started. Buildings and factories on the newly acquired lands were torn down, and the land became parks or open spaces. St. Julien’s Rendering Works, where soap was made from wood ashes sold by early residents, became St.Julien’s Park.

St Julien playground was located at the foot of St Julien street, along the South branch of the Thames River. This 7.4-acre site was purchased from C. E. Finch in 1927 and by 1930 a bathhouse was completed. The natural swimming pool in the river was enhanced with a sandbag dam. The shallow area was marked off with buoys, while beyond the water varied from six to ten feet in depth. Eventually, the park included baseball diamonds, football fields, swings, and tennis courts. During WW2, the bathhouse was used as an emergency housing shelter.

By the 1960s, high phosphate levels from industrial, agricultural, and household use threatened aquatic life in Lake Erie. Toxic chemicals from abandoned industrial sites leached into the river. In London, a number of problem sites were discovered throughout the city, some identified as having high traces of PCBS, or Polychlorinated biphenyls, a class of toxic compound, tends to accumulate in animal tissue, does not degrade well in the environment, is toxic to animals and has been linked to cancer. Some early industries were located near the river and they disposed of their waste nearby. Efforts have been made to clean up some of these sites including coaltar buried near the Forks and the former dump at what is now St. Julien Park. Several barrels of cyanide were also discovered here. Studies showed many residents suffered from health effects from these toxins, but there was no "conclusive evidence."

Over the course of a decade, the sites were cleaned up and most toxins removed, along with several feet of topsoil. In its place, at least 2 feet of clay was added, then new topsoil on top.

After the cleanup, there were few trees or vegetation of any kind left. Native species have been planted and are now thriving. Much care was taken in planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

Now, St Julien and Vauxhall parks, as well as others along the Thames are deemed safe. St Julien has children's activities, festivals, and the ever-busy River's Edge Disc Golf.

The following link is a CTV London news clip about the park.

https://london.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=758240

I hope you enjoy the area and this multi!!

Safe caching!!

At each stage, you will be required to answer one or more questions. You may or may not find information at that stage. You might have to do some research.We'll see how many actually read descriptions. Answer them correctly and gather the numbers needed for the final coordinates. In the end, you will have figured out 6 numbers. You will be able to check your answer using the checker provided.

Final coordinates: N 42 58.ABC W 81 12.DEF

Stage 1 N42 58.384 w81 11.595

How far is it from here to the Meadowlily ESA? Add the first two numbers. The second number of your answer is "A"

Stage 2 N42 58.553 W81 11.877

How many Horseshoe Pits are there?
NHPA sanctioned games are generally played to how many points?
Take the first digit of each answer and add them together. Add one. This is "F"

Stage 3 N42 58.528 W081 11.946

Who did the City hire as a planner in 1922? The number of letters in his last name is "C".

Stage 4 N42 58.555 W81 11.860

How old was Eyobell Emun?
His age at passing is "B"

Stage 5 N42 58.517 W81 11.986

Subtract the first number from the third number of the R.C.L. branch. This is "D"

Stage 6 N42 58.317 W81 12.048

What is the first digit to the left of the decimal when you subtract 5.0 from the distance to The Forks?
This is "E"

You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.