Darrington Washington metal detecting folly

[IKSDoomsday]

For the past 4 days I have taken my new AT Pro to the fields and parks around Darrington Washington. Got the ATP 4 days ago and have been non-stop detecting. I take my kids along as well so they can see the history that we can pull out of the earth in a responsible way. Anyway today I was approached by two men who work for the town as trash haulers and grounds keepers. I was told that I was killing the grass in the park and that I was no longer allowed and actually was never allowed to detect on the Darrington City property. So I had to ask if there was a town ordinance...ofcourse that was a no. But I was told that the police would be called if I continued. I am no newbie to this hobby and I know how to dig a plug to keep even the ugliest grass alive lol. So I asked him where this dead grass was and then asked him if he could find the last 6 holes that I dug....He could not. The police drove by I waved and they waved back and continued on during and before the conversation with these two guys. Long story short.......DO NOT metal detect in Darrington Washington...they are scared of detectors.

EDIT: just talked with the police dept. They are looking in to it for me and said they have no problem with metal detecting and would have an answer for me soon.

 

[KinTN]

I have always made it a point to stop by the local PD/SD and inquire if there is any ordinance or private act (what county ordinances are called in TN) that prohibit MDing. This puts the onus on them to show me it isn't allowed. I am very friendly and appreciative and always leave my contact info which is a business card offering free lost item services. The ONLY negative I have ever received is one Rec Dept director who asked that I not detect on a certain field because it was newly seeded and they were babying it along, but the rest of the park was Good To Go (so it wasn't really a negative).

Note that I am not asking permission, but am nicely asking them to prove that there is a law in place already. Some detectorists like a confrontational approach with the police but I like being able to tell some busybody with no authority that the PoPo has already approved my actions. Good stewardship of the grounds like you are obviously practicing is yet another way to shut those morons up. Hope you pull in a TON of gold outta that place and I hope those gravy train leeches see you do it!

 

[jerseyjim]

I am a retired landscaper and if a plug is taken in the right manor it will not kill the grass. However, I can understand a landscaper working for a park that doesn't metal detect to be concern. You did the right thing, be polite and explain to them what you are doing. I received permission from a private camp that is connected to a county park. I showed the women who was in charge a book with pictures of an old school house that was long gone from that area. She became interested in the book and the local history. I left the book with her and told her I will be back to pick it up.I find it a challenge to find places to hunt, I love everything about this hobby.

Jim