Emerald City Search clues explained

University of Washington search organizers explain the clues:

Each clue is designed to have an "answer." Solving the answers to the clues will lead searchers to the secret hiding spot.

Day One: Wednesday, October 15

End here to play Seattle's annual quest,

Meet hidden red-legged frog in the west.

A stately species with more call than bark,

Naturally admired for its blushing heart.

The answer to this clue is 'cedar.'

This clue asks the reader to find the Northern Red-Legged Frog. Like cedar, the material used in creating the medallion, the Red-Legged frog is native to the western U.S. and is red in color. 'Bark' and 'natural(ly)' indicate a tree. Heartwood is a less technical term for xylem, which is what makes up wood, and can be reddish in western red cedars

Day Two: Thursday, October 16

The silent coast can oft be found,

Leaping in tune with rippling sound.

Coursing in cloister, this much evolved creature,

Hiding beneath when found in nature.

The answer to this clue is 'water.'

This clue asks the reader to find the Coastal Tailed Frog, which lives in cold mountain streams usually under large stones. There are many water features in Cal Anderson park.

Day Three: Friday, October 17

From City's woodland "Year of the Frog" leaps,

To a temperate locale, via bustling streets.

Feel confident heading down the right track,

No second guessing when the Zoo's got your back.

The answer to this clue is 'south of Zoo.'

This clue asks the reader to head south from the Zoo to a 'temperate locale,' which is mostly associated with moving south. 'Via bustling streets' points to Aurora. The Zoo being at one's back would also indicate moving away from the Zoo.

Day Four: Saturday, October 18

Changes from green with just one degree,

Contrary to name, lives not in a tree.

Kids know the Amphibian of Washington State,

Leads a chorus of voices looking for dates.

The answer to this clue is 'school (Seattle Central Community College).'

This clue asks the reader to find the Pacific Tree Frog, but all the pertinent hints are directly in the clue! 'Changing from green' indicates going from inexperienced to experienced, 'with one degree' means a college degree, 'Washington State' is referencing schools. A group of frogs is called a 'chorus;' these frogs are very loud when calling for a mate, much like college students!

Day Five: Sunday, October 19

Settlers leapt in and trees fast fell,

Fragile landscape soon bid farewell.

Urban vigor was built to accommodate,

Once there were more, now two less than eight.

The answer to this clue is 'hill,' as in Capitol Hill.

This clue begins by referencing chopped down trees being sent down the side of the hill when Seattle was being developed. There were seven hills in Seattle at a time of great growth, but the Denny Regrade project in the late 1800s/early 1900s removed Denny Hill, leaving six hills in the city.

Day Six: Monday, October 20

Crabs from the forest met three brothers,

Then pitched to the glow, one after the other.

Told from the totems of ancient descent,

Her tears of protection etch her torment.

The answer to this clue is 'volcano' or 'mountain (referring to the Fountain Mountain at Cal Anderson).'

The word for "frog" in the Haida language means "crab from the forest." The Haida story of "Frog Woman," sometimes known as "Volcano Woman" tells of three brothers who threw frog after frog onto a fire, where they glowed like a coal and then exploded. Soon, the brothers heard a woman wailing "where is my child, what have you done to my child?" In retaliation for the destruction of the frogs, Frog/Volcano Woman caused the brothers to die one at a time and then destroyed their village by fire and/or lava. She is depicted on Haida totem poles as a woman with long tears hanging down from her eyes in the form of frogs.

Day Seven: Tuesday, October 21

The yearn to discover may soon be quenched,

Structure your goal with respect to the French.

The bottom line is your right to reserve,

A soothing place to relax and conserve.

The answer to this clue is 'underground reservoir.'

This clue uses many words to describe reservoir/drinking -- 'quenched,' 'reserve,' 'soothing,' 'conserve.' An original pumphouse -- in a Beaux-Arts style -- still exists at Cal Anderson.

Day Eight: Wednesday, October 22

Many years later, these similar directions,

Green ribbons planned as grand connections.

How sharp these brothers to have foreseen,

Allowing species to move betwixt and between.

The answer to this clue is 'Olmstead Brothers.'

The Olmstead Brothers designed many of Seattle's parks, streets, and green spaces, to include the park at 11th and Pine, now known as Cal Anderson Park, but originally named Lincoln Park. Their master plan laid out a 20-mile-long greensward of parks and boulevards that ran from Seward Park along Lake Washington and across the city via Woodland Park to Discovery Park.

Day Nine: Thursday, October 23

Bordered by eleven pines east and south,

Underground streams pool just at the mouth.

Set in gray stone under great weight,

An oasis named for legislator of state.

The answer to this clue is 'Cal Anderson Park.'

The late Cal Anderson was a state legislator, and now is commemorated by a park located at 11th (east) and Pine (south). There is an underground reservoir at the park. The medallion is attached behind a rock in the wading pool wall.

Day Ten: Friday, October 24

Activist Anderson strolled through his park,

Sat down at the pool to rest from his lark.

Behind a rock he saw what was there,

Surprise! The medallion, placed with great care.

The purpose of this clue is to lead searchers directly to the location of the medallion!

Source: University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences