This cache is located near where the Townline Lake swimming beach was once maintained by the Oneida County Forestry and Parks Department. I remember taking our boys there to wade in the water and to play in the sand in the 1970s and 1980s. Although the beach area and the wooded area, where the cache is hidden, is still owned by Oneida County, the beach area is no longer maintained for swimming.
The swimming beach was closed in 2010. Several factors went into the decision to close the beach but based on a conversation I had with the Director of Forestry and Parks, I believe all of the factors relate to the presence of a species of aquatic vegetation known as purple bladderwort.
Purple bladderwort has no roots and can be found free-floating at and below the surface of a few quiet Wisconsin Lakes. When the wind was blowing just right the plants moved into the beach area and became a nuisance for swimmers. Because the species is native to Wisconsin and is highly valuable in the ecological balance of Townline Lake, chemical treatment of the plant has been discouraged.
Returning to this quiet area now does bring back pleasant memories of times when the beach was full of kids, their parents and other adults.