I Asked For Permission To Search Local Parks - First O.K. Then NO!

[macmonkey]

So on Friday I sent this letter to the Chairman of the Nashville (TN) Board of Parks and Recreation:

Greetings Mr. #######,

I found your email address on the Parks & Recreation website. I am
writing to inquire what the park policy is towards Metal Detecting
Hobbyists. Obviously I wish to abide by any laws and rules set forth
by all governing bodies especially the parks department but am curious
to see if Metal Detecting is allowed and if so what are the policies
of the parks department.

MD'ing is a fun hobby that is rewarding in many ways including serving
as a great form of exercise. Usually while detecting in a place like
a park one can expect to find various forms of "treasure" including
coins, jewelry and keepsakes that people have lost throughout the
years. Abiding by my code of ethics set forth by my local metal
detecting club - I give a best effort in locating the owner of lost
property that I recover.

I appreciate you taking a moment to respond to my inquiry and ask
that you please forward my correspondence to the appropriate party
should you not have any insight in response to my question.

Thank You,

Jon Walker

He Wrote Back:

Thanks for you inquiry.

I did not find any policy that would prohibit this activity. I am
copying our events coordinator and the head of Park Police. If they
know of any restrictions, I will leave it to them to provide you with
the information.

Then about 2 hours later I got this from the head of Park Police:

We do not issue permits for people to use metal detectors on Park
property. The problem would be in digging up the item when the metal
detector goes off. Even the use of a hand trowel or rake to scratch
below the surface would be prohibited. Most objects would not be found
lying on the surface of the ground. If they were you would not need a
metal detector to find them. Sorry

Needless to say - I'm a bit bummed out.

[macmonkey]

I actually went and hunted a small area at our big "center" park after hearing the first response the other day and I found over $3 in coins within an hour.

[Arkwater]

so is it illegal to md or just to dig? there are a lot of finds within 2mm of being exposed in the parks I hunt. Lots of coins on edge in the grass, not seen.

[EPC Guy]

Originally Posted by Arkwater

so is it illegal to md or just to dig? there are a lot of finds within 2mm of being exposed in the parks I hunt. Lots of coins on edge in the grass, not seen.

Absolutely! I "surface hunted" today (ground was too frozen to dig)...came away with over 1.00 in about 40 minutes...all on top of the ground. If it's OK to have MD's in the parks - there is still a lot of clad on top of the ground.

[FinalLastDays]

That stinks! Maybe you should write to the school board to see if they will allow you to detect on the public school grounds. If so, you will probably find better things at the schools, as well as more schools to detect at than there are parks. Good luck!

[NCHL]

This is a sticky one. Did they cite a specific regulation or ordinance or are you dealing with someone flexing power or even just their opinion?

Of course I'm not sure it matters; we've all heard the adage, "You can't fight city hall."

Then again.... or can you? If you could convince someone who is high enough up in the city structure that you aren't damaging park property and get them interested to the point that they might become your advocate, then you might have a shot at reversing this thing. Wonder what would happen if a sharp attorney in your city were to get interested in metal detecting?

Don't give up; just get determined.

[EBCIII]

I think the city would have an on line site? Go to that site and look under parks. See if you can find a specific rule. Here in my town we can not "remove" flowers or plants? If your city has something ambigious like this it could be up for debate.

I called the city parks dept. I was told no real rule one way or the other. I just took that as a yes, Beale.


http://www.nashville.gov/parks/pdfs/...ees_manual.pdf


pages 39-41. Read them and you will see some very ambigious reading. Really makes you wonder, Beale.

[The TINMAN]

I have not had any problem in any public park yet. I just make sure everything is the same way as when I got there. I would rather go and detectect THEN have someone tell me I can't then to have someone in authority just flexin his muscles tell me no when It's just their personal opinion. Thats just me tho. Thats one Reason I'm leaning more towards Water & beach hunting, Less chance of being Hassled.

Good Luck & HH
The TINMAN

[macmonkey]

Yea - I could care less about getting in trouble. My main consience is a) giving MD a bad name (which I would never do purposefully) AND b) becoming a nuisance.

I think I'll proceed as normal. I never dig in the grass anyways. There are plenty of sandy / dirt-exposed areas to "surface" hunt. Even if it's down 2" - 3" I am happy to dig with my fingers.

I was given no "rule" or "ordinance" but am going to read the pdf linked above.

[macmonkey]

After reading the pdf that EBCIII posted - I've come to the conclusion that there is 1 rule to be sure not to break and it's the obvious - "DON'T HARM ANY VEGETATION" although they don't cite grass specifically they do say "any living thing". Also it's against the rules to be in possession of any garden tools (especially those which cut).

I guess I can feel comfortable about detecting in the areas whereas nothing is growing.