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Table In The Woods (RETIRED) LbNA #10761 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 8, 2004
Location:
City:Shrewsbury
County:Worcester
State:Massachusetts
Boxes:1
Planted by:Wandering Pirate
Found by: Are we there yet?
Last found:Aug 1, 2008
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Sep 8, 2004
*****Box is down for repair*******

PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL OF THE PARK AND BOX. REHIDE THE BOX WELL AND DO NOT DISTURB THE AREA.

Clues: easy
terrain: easy (an uphill walk in places, but not too steep and paved for most of the way.) Lengthy walk.
time: varies (if you walk briskly it takes about 25 minutes, if you take your time and check things out leave yourself a good hour, more if you brought a fishing pole.)

The Table In The Woods Letterbox is located in Dean Park in Shrewsbury, MA. For those of you who are familiar with this park, you can probably go almost straight to the letterbox on a shorter route, but where is the fun in that?. I planted this box to get people here who would not normally come to Dean Park. It is a very nice park with many things to do for people of all ages. My family has enjoyed this park for many years. If you are bringing the kids along, there is a very nice playground, a pond with ducks and geese, and several play fields. There are a few picnic areas, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts. The park allows fishing as well. For all you history buffs, General Ward's house is accross the street from the park and is free to go in and tour. There is a nice fountain that has been built at the south end of the pond.

The hike is fairly easy, however there is a lengthy hill at the end (not too steep). The walk may be long for some kids, but should be fine for most. I did do this hike with my 5 and 3 year old children, but they love hiking, and we stopped to watch the fishermen and ducks, etc. But, the whole point of this is to have a nice relaxing hike and to get outside for a bit, right? It will take you around the pond, through some woods and then on paved roads in the park. Please be cautious for cars that are driving through the park. There are ususally many walkers and joggers as well. The box is in an area that doesn't usually see much activity though.

Directions to Dean Park:
Get to Rte. 140 from either Rte. 290 or Rte. 9. From Rte. 290: go south on 140 until you get to the traffic light in the center of town and take a left on Main St. From Rte. 9: Go north on 140 until the traffic light in the center of town and take a right on to Main St. Stay straight on Main St. Go straight through the traffic light at South St. Continue past Dean Park Pizza (on your left). Shortly after the pizza place you will see the park entrance on the left. A large yellow farm house (General Ward House) is on the right accross from the park. Enter the park and bear right. Park in the lot next to the pond.

CLUES:
Face the pond so that the baseball field is at your back. Turn right. Walk along the pond, so that the pond is on your left and the baseball fields are on your right. Keep going until you come to the stairs. Do not climb the stairs. Follow the path to your left into the woods. Shortly you will come to a fork in the path. Left is a more scenic walk next to the pond. Right is more of a fitness trail. You may take either as they will meet together in a little while. Follow this path to the end. Go left on the paved road. Follow this road past the pond. There maybe people fishing here. The road starts to bear right and goes up a hill. Keep going. You will meet another road that comes in from your left. Bear right. The playground will be on your left as well as the basketball courts. (If you are looking for a certain bird, the path changes in this area and you need other clues.)If not then...... follow this road as it bends around the playground parking lot. You will eventually see a gray house on your right and a road that comes in sharply from the right. Take this right. Follow it past the parking lot on your right. Keep going up the road. This road does not get as much traffic or other activity, but still be aware of the occassional car. Follow the road as it winds its way uphill. As you get to the top, the road flattens out a bit and you will be able to see an entrance to the park up ahead a way. Just after the road begins to flatten start looking in the woods to your right. Keep going until you see the table in the woods. Go to the table. Walk into the woods past the table and slightly to the left for approximately 30 steps until you get to a large boulder. From the boulder walk another 15 steps straight back. You will see a large dead tree laying on the ground just in front and slightly to the left. Look to your right. You will see a medium to large oak tree. Go to the oak tree. At the base of the tree in a crevace under bark and leaves you will find the Table in the Woods letterbox.

PLEASE REHIDE WELL SO AS TO BE COMPLETELY HIDDEN. THANK YOU.

Go back the way you came. When the road comes out to the gray house again, bear right. Follow the road past the ball fields and back to the entrance. Take a left and follow the stream back to the pond and your car.