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A block and a half from where?

At the time of writing "A block and a half" the Zodiac was discussing how two cops pulled a goof. One would think that the Zodiac is referencing a block and a half from the corner of Jackson and Maple. A block and a half would place the Zodiac entering the Presidio either at Julius Kahn to the east of Maple or north of Cherry to the west. There is a report that a man was seen entering Julius Kahn.

In the October 17th, 1969 article of the San Francisco Chronicle it is stated:

"One theory advanced in the case yesterday was that Zodiac knows San Francisco fairly well. When he (zodiac) was picked up by the cab driver (Stine) about 9:30 pm Saturday at Geary and Mason streets Stine noted the destination on his way bill as Washington and Maple streets. The murder took place at Washington and Cherry, a block beyond. This quiet residential area could be expected to be deserted of traffic at that hour. A block and a half north is the wooded expanse of the Presidio."

In the above it can be seen that the reporter writing this piece is associating the "block and a half" as originating at Washington and not Jackson. Twice Washington and Maple comes up: 1. In Paul Stines way bill and 2. In Zodiac's letter. So Washington and Maple is pretty important to the Zodiac. The question is why?

Right now I'm entertaining the thought that the block and a half relates to the location of Washington and Maple given the zodiac is ultimately seen at Jackson and maple; one block north of his original destination. For me this seems to be another clue to be added to his list of details that point to where he was after killing Paul Stine. Frankly, im still dead set on the location being El Polin Loop. El Polin loop is approximately two and a half blocks due north of Presidio Heights halfway between Maple and Spruce. According to the Zodiac the dogs never came within 2 blocks. In addition, to the east of El Polin Loop is a street called Portola. Portola Street is 200 feet from El Polin Loop and runs south to northwest and vice versa. At the center of El Polin, at the time the crime was committed, was a tunnel built in the 1850's by the Mountain Lake Water Company. There is a photo online showing what this tunnel and it's surroundings looked like prior to clean up. I will see if I can post a picture of it.

Soze

Donald Fouke saw Zodiac on Jackson Street somewhere shy of Jackson and Maple, therefore Zodiac's statement of "I disappeared into the park a block + a half away never to be seen again" is approximate to Spruce Street, the first visible thoroughfare into Julius Khan playground at 10:00 pm at night. The sighting of Zodiac entering the park adjacent to Spruce Street, is likely confirmed by the October 12th 1969 Chronicle article stating "a man seen running into Julius Khan playground."

This article details a sighting of a man scurrying into the playground by Spruce Street, as does an account in Robert Graysmith's Zodiac book "The detectives heard from neighbors that a stocky figure was seen dashing across Julius Khan playground and into the dense undergrowth of the Presidio. The dog patrol units, seven of the best search dogs in the country, gathered at the front entrance of the Presidio and were deployed one at a time in various directions. Armstrong and Toschi considered the possibilities. Had the killer gone quickly through the dark woods and emerged from the Presidio at Richardson Avenue, and taken Highway 101 past Fort Point onto the Golden Gate Bridge and vanished into Marin County."

This corroborating detail, in alliance with the description of a WMA, about 40, 170lbs, blond crewcut, wearing glasses, dark shoes, dark grey trousers and jacket, leaves little 'wriggle room' to argue this wasn't Zodiac traveling 1.5 blocks to Spruce and Julius Khan playground.