Found by the impromptu partnership of Dave Jotblad and Tom Roach, two diggers that met the morning of the find at Highland Park, figuring two shovels were better than one. The medallion was hidden inside of a flat, white, wooden box. It was another case of merciful destiny (see 1996) as both men were recently out of work.

Clue 1
Find the treasure at your leisure,
The search really is a lark.
But while enjoying winter's pleasure,
Remember to look in a park.
Laying the blanket (see 1995, Clue 2).

Clue 2
Look around on public ground
To find the cherished bounty.
You'll be more lost than found
If you depart from Ramsey County.
Two clues used up to say what one usually does. Not the best of beginnings.

Clue 3
It's painted white and its size is right
For what you have in mind.
And if it comes within your sight,
You'll have a valuable find.
Refers to the piece of wood hiding the medallion.

Clue 4
Trees that grow but stay quite low
Will steer you on your way,
As will benches where people go
To eat on a summer's day.
Refers to a clump of short evergreens and picnic benches nearby. That was the take from the Pioneer Press after it was over, but Marcia Brass, ever noodling words with ideas, put "trees that grow but stay quite low" to mean juniper trees. Juniper Street is right there in the park. That's just too much coincidence for it not to be true. Maybe an intern wrote the clue explanations this year.

Clue 5
It can be a strain on the brain
To search for carnival treasure.
But if you seek elevated terrain,
Good things will come in due measure.
"High land," more commonly known as "Highland," is "elevated terrain."

Clue 6
A house for the old rises out of the cold
To serve as a monument on high.
As does an arch that's really quite bold,
So you'd better start looking nearby.
The Montreal Hi-Rise is a senior citizens apartment complex nearby and the "arch" refers to the arched bridge over Montreal Avenue.

Clue 7
Parking lots and games for nontots
Should attract your probing eyes.
You'd also be smart to seek out spots
Near the elongated name of a prize.
"Nontots" is a funny way of saying adult games such as golf and horseshoes, and parking lots are plentiful in that area. An "elongated name of a prize" refers to Antonio Drive, with "Antonio" being long for "Tony" and the award being the Tony awards for Broadway productions.

Clue 8
An expanse of snow is where to go
To find the treasure round.
But as you search both high and low,
Don't tread on golfers' ground.
This clue says to stay away from the Highland Park golf course.

Clue 9
If the winds blow and the goin's slow
And the search has left you glum,
Seek a road that winds to and fro
And you'll feel new knowledge come.

A proper spin will help you win
As you go searching here and there.
Think of something round and thin
That often flutters through the air.
You get nearby Edgecumbe Road from "knowledge come" in the first verse; all that spinnin' and flutterin' refers to the frisbee golf course across from Montreal Avenue. Also of note is the popular "to and fro" phrasing. Cooler Crew "coolerheads" often use "to and fro" to say they're leaving the "Shoot the breeze..." Pioneer Planet Water Cooler Message Board, as in: "Later, I'm off to wander to and fro." This practice began during the 1998 hunt (see 1998, Clue 8).

Clue 10
While going about your chosen route,
Consider water both old and new.
This will help you ferret out
The treasure hidden from view.

A place of games and a ring of flames
Will guide you on your mission.
And if you think of proper names,
Something French is a good addition.
"Water both old and new" refers to the two swimming pools at Highland Park, one of which is no longer in use. There are plenty of places to play games and there is a nearby fire ring east of the medallion site. "Proper names" and "something French" makes Montreal Avenue a little more obvious, as Montreal is both a propre name and a French-speaking Canadian city.

Clue 11
When the day turns dark and gray
And your luck seems truly awful,
You'll be headed on your way
By thinking of something lawful.

If all along you've been in the wrong,
Now's not the time to shed a tear.
Now should you sing a doleful song
Instead, you ought to hum here.
This a long-winded clue which gives a play on Otto Hummer Drive, which leads to the team police station near the medallion site.

Clue 12
Hark! Hark! Head for Highland Park
To a field just north of the police station.
And if you're exactly on the mark,
You'll have cause for celebration.

Search if you could for a taped piece of wood
That hides the object of your pursuit.
And when you find it you'll feel mighty good
Because the winner takes home all the loot!
The traditional giveaway clue.