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Shrek finds a home at Bol Park LbNA #55838 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 26, 2010
Location:
City:Palo Alto
County:Santa Clara
State:California
Boxes:3
Planted by:ScooterPoP
Found by: Nature Hikers
Last found:Sep 14, 2013
Status:FFFFmFF
Last edited:Sep 26, 2010
Cornelis Bol Park and Shrek

Dr. Cornelius Bol was a native of Holland. He was the inventor of the mercury vapor light, still the brightest artificial light source. A Stanford professor for many years, he also founded and operated the Bol Water Company that supplied water to much of Barron Park in the 1920s, '30s and 40s. The Bol family lived on Roble Ridge for sixty years, from 1936 until Josina Bol's death in 1966.

In the early 1960's, the idea of a park first came up in a conversation between Dr. Bol and Barron Park resident Sam Elster, while they were watching the neighborhood kids playing in the Bol family pool. Dr. Bol wanted very much to preserve the area as a park for the neighborhood children. Dr. Bol died in July 1965 and eventually the family decided to sell the last remaining undeveloped parcel of its size in Barron Park at half the market value to the residents of Barron Park.

There is a special animal that has been a part of the Barron Park neighborhood in Palo Alto loved by generations of children and adults since 1936, thanks to the Bol family and the traditions of the Barron Park residents.
Currently, you kind find “Perry” and “Miner 49er” hanging around and entertaining friends who stop by to chat (they walk around the park on most Sundays and for special occasions). Perry has become quite a star, being the model for a character on in the first major DreamWorks box office hit in 1991. Perry’s voice over was Eddie Murphy.

CLUE #1
At the entrance of Bol Park there is a lovely sign and a gravel pathway. Follow the gravel pathway until it curves sharply to the right. Stop. A green ogre that has always enjoyed living in peaceful solitude in his swamp will be down the hill to the left, near an iron gate at the foot of Matadero Creek. Once at the iron gate, stand beside the side that opens. Look parallel to the gate and find a tree. In the dirt at the roots under the tree to the left, you’ll find your green beast and pass the first test.

CLUE #2
What is a journey without a friend tagging along? Follow the gravel path up the hill and the leave the large grassy area behind. Stroll over the Matadero bridge and find the corral. Find a planter made of railroad ties. While sitting on the southeast side (as far from the corral as you can get), casually reach down under the top two rail road ties at the corner and find the only one of its kind to fly (it’s tucked in deep so search before you leap to the next spot). One of his famous quotes is “Don't worry. Things just seem bad because it's dark and rainy . . .”

CLUE #3
Stroll back over the bridge and stay on the Bol Park Bike path (towards the playground). Find a bench in the Preminger name. Have a seat and look to the right to see a lovely fallen, wooden work of art. There is on hole that doesn’t pass completely through, it’s near the green thistle leaves. Reach in to the whole to find your Runaway.