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city parks
- Thread starter mark_ad1970
- Start date
I may not have been real clear about the soccer fields. They are part of the parks dept that has no issue about detecting in the parks as long as no damage is done...ie, detector ediquette. But they retain the right to restrict certain areas to specific use. I was there early in the morning when nobody uses the fields. My mistake was going during the week when the groundskeeper was there. I should have waited till the weekend when they aren't working. I'm rather bold about detecting. If I appear as if I'm doing something wrong, they will get the impression that I am. So I detect pretty much where I want on public property with no issues. I have often been told by the groundskeepers that I am the only person they ever saw detecting and when they see how I perform the task of retrieving an object, they move on satisfied that I am not destroying anything. Besides, its usually faygo caps or pull tabs they see me extracting so they probably figure I've lost my mind digging junk like that up. I did challange the groundskeeper at the soccer field and he had no issues with me detecting but I had to get permission from the director before I could proceed. I emailed the director and explained everything but got no reply. Thats better than a flat out no since I can make another plea in person. Hence the collection of sharp objects to present with my offer as a volunteer. But I have a lot of acerage to cover and those fields will be there waiting for me as I doubt anybody else will be hunting them in the near future.
that if you continue in your Legal Eagle pursuit of your Pressing Question you can sure that you WILL receive a NO, regardless o it's wording" This in turn as Tom said will cause a Ordinance or Law to be Written which will ban detecting and associated activities, (digging, etc. ) not only for yourself but for ALL others in this Generation and Generations to come for ETERNITY. There is nothing worse than a Park Ranger trying to make "Brownie Points" with his Supervisors and City Officials. Hence increasing his odds at a PROMOTION. !!!! Now you Are a Target. !!!! You might put a Bulls Eye on your forehead. You are his Promotion Ticket for all time.
The next thing is that you WILL become Infamous for ALL History. !!!
NOW, here is an interesting fact that may help you feel better ok. It is FACT that there are MORE Historical Artifacts recovered by metal detectorists than ALL of the Archaeologists throughout your ENTIRE State. Hence, you will in effect kill any chance of recovering, Conserving, Preserving and displaying these Artifacts for all to see.
A SUGGESTION : Call the local Historical Societies, Archaeologist and others and offer to help them recover these Artifacts for everyone to enjoy. Congratulations, you have just increased your areas knowledge of your area and brought joy to all for a long time to come. Hence History itself will record that you are the person who's gratitude and depth of service will stand in a Famous Light for ALL time. !!!! You in effect become a real hero and hence deservedly so. You will eventually begin to get calls from Historical Societies, Museums, Police and Fire Depts.to help them do various recovery projects. Hence you will in turn accomplish the following via these steps :
(1). You Will be able to go detecting etc. at Will. (2). You WILL become Famous. !!!! (3). You WILL become the catalyst that opens this Hobby / Sport for ALL Generations to come.Quasi - Hero for All.Hence You become an Ambassador for this Hobby / Sports So it is with this said that I strongly urge you to follow our "suggestions as you have been told ok. I wish you the Best. . PEACE:RONB
The next thing is that you WILL become Infamous for ALL History. !!!
NOW, here is an interesting fact that may help you feel better ok. It is FACT that there are MORE Historical Artifacts recovered by metal detectorists than ALL of the Archaeologists throughout your ENTIRE State. Hence, you will in effect kill any chance of recovering, Conserving, Preserving and displaying these Artifacts for all to see.
A SUGGESTION : Call the local Historical Societies, Archaeologist and others and offer to help them recover these Artifacts for everyone to enjoy. Congratulations, you have just increased your areas knowledge of your area and brought joy to all for a long time to come. Hence History itself will record that you are the person who's gratitude and depth of service will stand in a Famous Light for ALL time. !!!! You in effect become a real hero and hence deservedly so. You will eventually begin to get calls from Historical Societies, Museums, Police and Fire Depts.to help them do various recovery projects. Hence you will in turn accomplish the following via these steps :
(1). You Will be able to go detecting etc. at Will. (2). You WILL become Famous. !!!! (3). You WILL become the catalyst that opens this Hobby / Sport for ALL Generations to come.Quasi - Hero for All.Hence You become an Ambassador for this Hobby / Sports So it is with this said that I strongly urge you to follow our "suggestions as you have been told ok. I wish you the Best. . PEACE:RONB
(B.S!) sorry! NOT biting!
wish i could "tear" off a piece!
just DON'T work like that! ,BUT that said, " hope springs eternal!"
all that you state is a very "noble" undertaking,however,for the most part,in my experience,a complete waste
of time! from my perspective,one is better off just minding one's own business,and just making sure one
practices "proper digging procedures",and try to remain a "low profile"..just sayin'
(h.h.!)
j.t.
wish i could "tear" off a piece!
just DON'T work like that! ,BUT that said, " hope springs eternal!"
all that you state is a very "noble" undertaking,however,for the most part,in my experience,a complete waste
of time! from my perspective,one is better off just minding one's own business,and just making sure one
practices "proper digging procedures",and try to remain a "low profile"..just sayin'
(h.h.!)
j.t.
j.t., I was trying to put my finger on the potential fruitfulness of what barker recommended (getting a local historical society to take you under their wing). You sort of nailed it. While it is a "noble" idea, it is something that only sounds good in print. But in the practical real world, is simply not necessary, to begin with, nor is likely to be anything not fraught with bureaucracy.
For starters, it's not really necessary. I mean, why not just go to your local park, and detect? Since when did any of us need a local historical society to come give us a sanction to do that, anyhow? And next: believe it or not, some historical societies are more connected to the archie camp, than you might think (not all, but some, or will ..... have tenticles that reach that way). For example: one of the head chair-persons of the historical society in my town, is the local archaeologist. And next: any such partnership is not going to happen by simply picking up the phone, or sending off a letter. You'd have to be an active member, on a first name basis, to think that anyone there is going to use their clout on your behalf.
But again, all this is silly to begin with. It only gives newbies the impression that this is something they need to do to go to the sandbox downtown and detect. For pete's sake where did that start? I mean, sure, join historical societies. And sure, if you someday have clout there, by all means use it. And sure, if there is a place that's off-limits (NOT places where no one would or does care), then sure, see if your historical society connections can get you behind locked fences.
But no, this tactic has absolutely nothing to do with going in to places where there are no prohibitions (or simply silent on the issue, and should be left that way).
For starters, it's not really necessary. I mean, why not just go to your local park, and detect? Since when did any of us need a local historical society to come give us a sanction to do that, anyhow? And next: believe it or not, some historical societies are more connected to the archie camp, than you might think (not all, but some, or will ..... have tenticles that reach that way). For example: one of the head chair-persons of the historical society in my town, is the local archaeologist. And next: any such partnership is not going to happen by simply picking up the phone, or sending off a letter. You'd have to be an active member, on a first name basis, to think that anyone there is going to use their clout on your behalf.
But again, all this is silly to begin with. It only gives newbies the impression that this is something they need to do to go to the sandbox downtown and detect. For pete's sake where did that start? I mean, sure, join historical societies. And sure, if you someday have clout there, by all means use it. And sure, if there is a place that's off-limits (NOT places where no one would or does care), then sure, see if your historical society connections can get you behind locked fences.
But no, this tactic has absolutely nothing to do with going in to places where there are no prohibitions (or simply silent on the issue, and should be left that way).
yes! tom! you have so eloquently proved my point!
in MY experience over 33 years of detecting,i have at one time or another
put in to practice most of what is being discussed here! i have to state for the record,it has been
a 'wasted" effort! NOW with that said,i am also leaving room that perhaps my approach may have been wrong,
however,i still believe that the "effort" however noble would still result in failure. as you mentioned,and i concur,the "wallop"
required is monumental,and the resultant is minimal at best!.we just do NOT possess the 'wallop" of the "archies",and to be
blunt,they don't like us anyway,and it doesn't matter WHAT the reason(s) are,because they consider us greedy,property destroyers.
on a local level,i have attempted to "persuade" local authorities on numerous occasions,and all my efforts have been fruitless,
i believe this is as a result of indifference,and apathy which perplexed me,however in the "big picture" perspective,i can understand.
as mentioned in my previous post,i just try to do my own thing,so to speak,in any and all "public " places,practice proper digging procedures,and
HOPE someone doesn't come up behind,tap me on the shoulder,and tell me i need to move on!..i am "prepared" "phsycologically"
for this eventuality,and always comply and have an alternative" site in mind, before i venture afield!..just sayin'
(h.h.!)
j.t.
in MY experience over 33 years of detecting,i have at one time or another
put in to practice most of what is being discussed here! i have to state for the record,it has been
a 'wasted" effort! NOW with that said,i am also leaving room that perhaps my approach may have been wrong,
however,i still believe that the "effort" however noble would still result in failure. as you mentioned,and i concur,the "wallop"
required is monumental,and the resultant is minimal at best!.we just do NOT possess the 'wallop" of the "archies",and to be
blunt,they don't like us anyway,and it doesn't matter WHAT the reason(s) are,because they consider us greedy,property destroyers.
on a local level,i have attempted to "persuade" local authorities on numerous occasions,and all my efforts have been fruitless,
i believe this is as a result of indifference,and apathy which perplexed me,however in the "big picture" perspective,i can understand.
as mentioned in my previous post,i just try to do my own thing,so to speak,in any and all "public " places,practice proper digging procedures,and
HOPE someone doesn't come up behind,tap me on the shoulder,and tell me i need to move on!..i am "prepared" "phsycologically"
for this eventuality,and always comply and have an alternative" site in mind, before i venture afield!..just sayin'
(h.h.!)
j.t.
i agree in principal with what you have said! it is difficult,but NOT impossible to make this noble effort,
and achieve a certain level of accomplishment.i have attempted to do these things in the not too distant past,and
have been met with indifference,and apathy.my time is too valuable to waste,attempting to convince the "powers that be"
that i am a person of good moral character,and as such, should be allowed to detect,and dig in the local parks.
that said,i now just go hunt in a public place,and if i get the "tap" on my shoulder,and instructed to move on,i comply,
and travel to a secondary site to continue the hunt. no hassles,no resistance on my part!.i just SCREW and go hunt somewhere else!
in my experience,it is just not worth it,from a time perspective,to bother!..just sayin'
(h.h.!)
j.t.
and achieve a certain level of accomplishment.i have attempted to do these things in the not too distant past,and
have been met with indifference,and apathy.my time is too valuable to waste,attempting to convince the "powers that be"
that i am a person of good moral character,and as such, should be allowed to detect,and dig in the local parks.
that said,i now just go hunt in a public place,and if i get the "tap" on my shoulder,and instructed to move on,i comply,
and travel to a secondary site to continue the hunt. no hassles,no resistance on my part!.i just SCREW and go hunt somewhere else!
in my experience,it is just not worth it,from a time perspective,to bother!..just sayin'
(h.h.!)
j.t.
I have a question after reading some of these posts about just going to the parks and detecting until confronted. Do you select a section to hunt that is sort elusive, or do you just hop out of the car and hit the dirt in possibly the most visable spots without a second thought? Thanks. martin
JimGilmore
Active member
I have never selected any site based on hiding what I am doing. I select my sites by where I expect to find coins and have even had a supervisor watch me in NYC and he had NO issues with me detecting or my recovery method.
Of course I always make sure to pick up every piece of trash that is within reach when I kneel down and remove it from the park.
Of course I always make sure to pick up every piece of trash that is within reach when I kneel down and remove it from the park.
you ask:
" ....... do you just hop out of the car and hit the dirt in possibly the most visable spots without a second thought?"
One thing you're going to have to get used to, if turfed parks are going to be your hunting destination, that: No, you do not just waltz right out wearing neon orange at high traffic times in "the most visible spots".
You've got to realize that you're in a hobby that draws the stares of the curious, "swinging that geiger-counter-thingie". There is simply no way you're going to evade the "lookie-lou" curiosity of folks. And simply no way your going to escape connations (that you might leave/make a mess, even though you know you won't), and simply no way you're going to get archies and busy-bodies to "love you". Thus this hobby is .....unfortunately ... a little like nose-picking: as long as you're discreet, no one notices. But the minute you ask for sanction, and aren't discreet about it, someone's gonna complain and be a kill-joy. Go at off-times of day (early morning, or after dusk, or whatever.
" ....... do you just hop out of the car and hit the dirt in possibly the most visable spots without a second thought?"
One thing you're going to have to get used to, if turfed parks are going to be your hunting destination, that: No, you do not just waltz right out wearing neon orange at high traffic times in "the most visible spots".
You've got to realize that you're in a hobby that draws the stares of the curious, "swinging that geiger-counter-thingie". There is simply no way you're going to evade the "lookie-lou" curiosity of folks. And simply no way your going to escape connations (that you might leave/make a mess, even though you know you won't), and simply no way you're going to get archies and busy-bodies to "love you". Thus this hobby is .....unfortunately ... a little like nose-picking: as long as you're discreet, no one notices. But the minute you ask for sanction, and aren't discreet about it, someone's gonna complain and be a kill-joy. Go at off-times of day (early morning, or after dusk, or whatever.
JimGilmore
Active member
I guess it has something to do with your experience's. I often hunt early morning which are very busy times as the palmdale parks. There are many employees and volunteers collecting trash in the morning from the grass fields. I never have had problems and have even spent time talking to them.
Jim, you say:
" I never have had problems and have even spent time talking to them".
I assume that by "talking to them", you mean just shooting the breeze, wave "hi" to them, etc... right? Well, perhaps the reason you've never had any problems, is you didn't ask for specific permission. Or if you did, you failed to mention "holes" "antiquities" and "cultural heritage", eh?
I too have seen parks where no one ever had a problem. Yup, a park worker even comes up to us and ask for help finding a sprinkler head. And you might *assume* this means there is "no problem", right? But then lo and behold, someone takes it upon themselves to go ask someone there "can I?" and gets a "no" Thus pointing to the psychology of how often-time, "no one cares, till you ask".
" I never have had problems and have even spent time talking to them".
I assume that by "talking to them", you mean just shooting the breeze, wave "hi" to them, etc... right? Well, perhaps the reason you've never had any problems, is you didn't ask for specific permission. Or if you did, you failed to mention "holes" "antiquities" and "cultural heritage", eh?
I too have seen parks where no one ever had a problem. Yup, a park worker even comes up to us and ask for help finding a sprinkler head. And you might *assume* this means there is "no problem", right? But then lo and behold, someone takes it upon themselves to go ask someone there "can I?" and gets a "no"
Thus pointing to the psychology of how often-time, "no one cares, till you ask".I agree with Tom. If you ask you have to be prepared for a big "no". I don't think any park employee wants to be the one who gave permission for someone to dig in the grass, peeve their boss, and put their job on the line.
On three occasions I have been approached by park workers because they wanted to see how I was doing and to talk about metal detecting. Seems that these fellows came back to the park in their off-hours to coin shoot. All three gave me ideas of where they saw people gathering in the park and where they were finding stuff. I'm positive that had I been carrying a shovel and was creating "brown spots" and big divits etc. that they would not have been as friendly. "Cherry picking" and using a screwdriver instead of a digger when people are around or if houses are nearby is a good way to avoid drawing negative attention to yourself.
One time I arrived at my favorite park as another detectorist (not sure he deserves that title) was leaving. It was shocking the number of holes and divits this guy left. Not wanting to get blamed or worse, have detecting banned in this park, I spent 45 minutes finding and filling his holes, patching his divits, and picking up his dug up junk that he left beside his holes. What a knucklehead. I wanted to report him to the park authorities but figured that they would be more concerned with his misdeeds than my good deeds.
Keep a low profile and by all means leave it cleaner than you found it.
On three occasions I have been approached by park workers because they wanted to see how I was doing and to talk about metal detecting. Seems that these fellows came back to the park in their off-hours to coin shoot. All three gave me ideas of where they saw people gathering in the park and where they were finding stuff. I'm positive that had I been carrying a shovel and was creating "brown spots" and big divits etc. that they would not have been as friendly. "Cherry picking" and using a screwdriver instead of a digger when people are around or if houses are nearby is a good way to avoid drawing negative attention to yourself.
One time I arrived at my favorite park as another detectorist (not sure he deserves that title) was leaving. It was shocking the number of holes and divits this guy left. Not wanting to get blamed or worse, have detecting banned in this park, I spent 45 minutes finding and filling his holes, patching his divits, and picking up his dug up junk that he left beside his holes. What a knucklehead. I wanted to report him to the park authorities but figured that they would be more concerned with his misdeeds than my good deeds.
Keep a low profile and by all means leave it cleaner than you found it.
Ray S ECenFL
New member
If I drive up to a new park and do not see a sing that states " NO metal detecting" or a list of prohibited activities and MDing is on it, I just go and detect the park.
As long as you are not causing any damage, you should not have a problem.
If someone come over and says that detecting is not permitted, I ask why it is not posted at the enrance or what ordinance it is located under.
No sign, just do it.
As long as you are not causing any damage, you should not have a problem.
If someone come over and says that detecting is not permitted, I ask why it is not posted at the enrance or what ordinance it is located under.
No sign, just do it.