2017 Hunt for the Hoard

The comma placed after the word start should have highlighted it. 
It's the secret that sits in the middle ( a clue that later references a Robert Frost poem regarding Phalen Lake) the star is the shape made with the flight plan. Making the grade, and later mentioned " test " were hints to this shape. ( gold star on graded papers...)

The entire clue references Lake Phalen. With the exception of the last line of this clue and the remaining clues. which gives a hint at the final destination. Which woods means Witches Woods. The name given to this once large chunk of forest for many generations. 
The words tread and under should have you remembering last winter carnival hunt and Wheelock Parkway, the lost feather references the dragon boat races on the lake each summer. Believe it or not is Ripley street, the secret that sits in the middle is a Robert frost poem ( frost Avenue) ivy league is Ivy street, and vent is the Bruce Vento trail.

Jewel is Gem street, and unveil is Vale Avenue. The shining light is Beam Avenue. The independence display is the 4 th of July fireworks show here each summer. Next spot to mark is telling you to mark the flight path, and a reference to Markham Lake. The capital letter C is country road C. The cloak hidden. Is another secret that sits in the middle. Oak from cloak. A hint to sterling Oaks where it was found.

Battlecreek park.
The dog park and swimming facilities and skiing are all notable features. 
The Scottish evening is McKnight road. The Swedish afternoon is Afton road. Many minds mull is 3m. The pattern is a star shape. And passing the test was a hint to that.
 

Gladstone neighborhood savanna preserve. 
Jolly jewel is Gladstone, Robert and Jack reference Frost Avenue, Georgian jam is savanna preserve. 
Alas, gold, joy, and delight are a hint at the disguise I hid medallion in, this is from Greensleeves, a famous song. And the medallion was pinned inside a length of green sleeve. 
The shiney prize is Sterling ( Oaks). The final location.

Silver acorns is Sterling Oaks, the Texas town is Arlington Avenue, the two sisters of m are myrtle and Mary streets, are you faster than them is a small sprint flag very near medallion. The beginning of creation is Origination inc. Located on South end, the track is the railroad tracks.

The structure at the top of the playground looks like the pizza Hut red roof logo. The trumpet is a underground sound tube that kids can hear each other from opposite sides. The one horn faces southwest directly towards hiding spot. The white Oaks are young trees with white plastic protection sleeves. The throne is the stone bench. And again a reference to it being near tracks.