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Author Parks #1 LbNA #62239

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Apr 22, 2012
Location:
City:Oak Park, IL
County:Cook
State:Illinois
Boxes:1
Planted by:AIR
Found by: Properly Batty
Last found:Feb 27, 2016
Status:FOFFFF
Last edited:Apr 22, 2012
(This box has been updated.)

Start on the sidewalk at the southwestern most corner of this park once known as Watts Park. It was created from the last few home lots left in the area that hadn't been developed. The Oak Park Small Parks Commission purchased this location along with 3 other small parks in the village that all had their debut in 1921. In a short while all 4 of these parks were renamed using the last names of famous children's authors.

In this SW corner, just outside the park you'll see a sign telling you all about the Life & Times of this park's namesake. If you look over the fence to the NE you'll see a vertical pole. This roughly marks the area where decades ago there was a walk-in wading pool. Now it features a light activated water play area that was part of the complete remodel and reopening of this park in 2006.

Continue North on the side walk to the next sign, similar to the first. Here you can read about the genre of stories the park's namesake once wrote. Further North still and you'll find the last sign in the series which lists some of the many, many stories this author created. Remember the number of languages his work has been translated in (A).

Just north of this sign is a gated entrance to the park. Standing directly in the entrance, get a compass bearing of A+20. Head in the direction, skirting any toys in your way, and you'll come to the place of green bugs. Study it closely. Find it's reversed, tan twin within the park. On the butterfly's head you'll find a number. (B)

Slide to the end of the tan bugs and stand facing North. March B steps and you'll find the eastern most of 4 places where rooks may battle knights. Just west of here, under old glory, is a monument to the Gold Star Men of the World War. All the children's author named parks have a similar boulder placed in each and affixed with a plaque by the American Legion, listing names of Oak Parkers who served in The Great War.

Mark 4 paces west of the boulder and turn north. The sidewalk in front of you is your path. Follow it for 63 steps, as it forks and bear to the east. You will come to a large gate that may or may not have a chain with a hook keeping it closed. Open the gate, stepping out into this thoroughfare (look both ways for vehicles!) and relock it. Follow the silver line heading southward, past 3 large trees on the inside of the park. At it's terminus, tucked in you'll find this letterbox.