Geocache Description:
This park is dedicated to Dr. Reynaldo Carreon. There are six mosaics and a mural that depict his life. You will need to answer six questions to reach the final coordinates at N33 42.ABC W116 13.DEF. This is a simple mystery cache and it is a short walk around the park with the final very close by. The interesting history that follows helps to explain what you see on the mosaics. Enjoy this park! Hours are from 6am to 10pm; however, we suggest keeping your activities to broad daylight hours. During our own several visits to the park we have occasionally seen transients in the area but have never felt threatened. We usually see walkers or joggers on the exercise loop and other legitimate park users. Use your own discretion. The Posted Coordinates are near the larger Preferred Parking Lot off of Daisy Street.
Health care in the desert was forever changed for the better with the arrival of Reynaldo Carreón. He was born in Texas to Mexican parents in 1900. When he was 11 years old, a teacher told him he could not have a professional job because he was Mexican, saying he was not American and his dream of being a physician was a waste of time. But his more imaginative father told him that his dual heritage was a blessing and he would be able see the best of both cultures and with that knowledge do good in the world.
Through sheer determination, he not only became a doctor but a highly successful ophthalmologist. He was on staff at the massive Los Angeles County General Hospital, teaching new doctors and encouraging youngsters to aspire to an education. Mindful of his background, he began traveling to Indio where thousands of workers had no health care and provided free examinations and treatment. In order to provide for the eastern Coachella Valley in a fashion equal to Palm Springs, Dr. Carreón founded and built Indio Community Hospital in 1966 with three doctor friends and their contractor on land that he donated for the cause. That little startup hospital of 112 beds became JFK Memorial Hospital in 1984.
During the Eisenhower administration, Dr. Carreón was ambassador-at-large to Central and South America. He also served on the Police Commission in Los Angeles for 16 years and four times as its president. His good works brought him in contact with dignitaries and celebrities all over the world.
But his most important legacy remains the hundreds of valley students he helped to become better educated, starting with a donation of $100,000 in 1984 to College of the Desert for scholarships for students of Mexican-American descent. That same year, Indio created Dr. Carreón Boulevard, renaming Avenue 47 in his honor.
Go to: N33° 42.468' W116° 13.900' and answer the following three questions from the 3 west-side mosaics (one question from each)::
E = Number of suitcases carried by the two men by the train ____________
B = Number of clocks directly BEHIND the man wearing the red vest _____________
A = Number of people in caps and gowns __________________
Go to: N33° 42.469' W116° 13.880' and answer the following two questions from the 3 east-side mosaics:
D = Dr. Carreon was _____________ Ambassador. How many letters in that word ____________________
F = Number of men sitting at the desk (middle of mosaic) ____________________
Go to: N33° 42.540' W116° 13.896'
C = Number of letters on the eye chart on the top three lines ________________
Now, use the numbers from the questions above to reach the nearby final location:
N33 42.ABC W116 13.DEF
If you are using an App and you do not see the Solution Checker then open the browser version of the description. Some questions may seem tricky so the checker would help.
Use stealth and watch for muggles when retrieving cache. Replace exactly as found. Bring your own pen and TOTT.
This cache is a re-issue of our previously archived cache. If you found the previous cache you can find this one as an additional find. The park has been cleaned up by the city of Indio and significant art structures have been added. We have re-designated the larger parking lot off of Daisy St as the preferred parking lot, and the small lot on Dr Carreon as an alternate.
Congratulations to Walkslots from Ottawa for the FTF!