When I first started caching in November of 2003, it seemed that the majority of caches I was finding were those placed by DubyaDee and The Gold-Diggers. In January 2004, I found the Gold-diggers’ Watershed Park cache. It was the first time I had ever been in the park and since then I have grown to love it. I now walk there frequently.
Unfortunately the Watershed Park cache was “muggled” in the spring of 2004 and not replaced. I decided that Geo-sprout #3 could be placed in the very spot where The Gold-Diggers had placed their Watershed Park cache.
And then I decided that since they had done such an excellent write-up about the park that I would just copy it to share with you. Here it is:
WATERSHED PARK
153.03 acres
Park History:
In the late 1800's, wells were first established on the Watershed property. Nearly every glass of water in the City came out of Watershed Park. In 1917, the City acquired the waterworks and operated the wells until they were replaced in the 1950's. In 1955, the property was to be logged and sold. Citizens were so overwhelmingly opposed, they appealed to the Supreme Court to preserve the area. Their efforts resulted in an ordinance that protects this beautiful area today. Upon close observation, park visitors are still able to see signs of the old waterworks and large ancient tree stumps.
Park Features:
Deep in the park is the Moxlie Creek Springs Basin, one of the largest spring basins in the region. Beneath the towering, temperate rain forest canopy, the spring branches braid through the skunk cabbages and salmonberries to create Moxlie Creek. The park's trail system, although steep and stepped in locations, provides one of the City's best walking experiences. Parking for the one and a half-mile long, G. Eldon Marshall trail, is on Henderson Boulevard near Interstate 5. The park's trail system can also be accessed from pedestrian entrances on Eastside Street and 22nd Avenue.
Thanks, Gold-Diggers, for your encouragement to me as I started caching and also for bringing me to a series of delightful spots.