Detecting in Parks – Question For The Pros

[GoldDigger]

I contacted a city nearby that has several large parks. I asked if there was a permit required to perform metal detecting. I got back a very interesting reply.

"A permit is not required to perform metal detecting. Digging holes is not permitted."

I replied back…

"Thank you for the reply. In other words metal detecting is not permitted."

I hear a lot of talk of folks detecting at parks or on school grounds. Do you just typically stick to the gravel areas? Do you call to get permission?

One thing I am excited about is that Hines Park (it runs 20 miles or more) is wide open for metal detecting. I purchased a permit a few weeks ago. Only $5.00 for one year. If you are interested I posted a link below (for those folks not in Michigan)

Hines Park History

I would like to get your thoughts regarding detecting in parks and school yards.

Thank you,
Patrick

[Jeff G]

In a situation like that, in person, talk to the park manager. Explain about zero impact digging. you might get a different answer.

I just got permission on old grounds that were once a 1890's picnic area. The grounds are currently in use for other purposes but many of the old building are there, just renovated. I explained about the zero impact and they actually seemed kind of interested in letting me dig.

You can take this with a grain of salt, I am a real newbie to this stuff.....

[l38ranger]

Boobie has a good point...and also some parks have people md and not filling in the hole's....thats what i have run into at some...and they just ask you to fill them and i assure them i will...and then i of course tell them that i am a forest ranger....then they want to kick me out!!!...just kidding...but you might want to assure them that you will always fill in the holes and they might allow you....good luck...

[GoldDigger]

Thanks for the info on how to approach these situations.

[smartfox]

Most of the times they just want you to fill the holes. In Miami and Ft. Lauderdale I have gone to several parks and no one usually gives me any trouble. I never go out of my way to find someone for permission but if I do see someone I do ask. When I went to Miami Beach just the other day I had a couple of recreation park leaders come over to me and when I assured them that I was filing up all my holes they were cool. I actually showed one of them my finds which was a bunch of clad and he was really impressed.

[GoldDigger]

SmartFox, I think you said it well. Just do it, if it is not clearly banned then it should not be an issue.

I found an interesting link on Michgan.gov web site where many state parks they have banned MDing. Some state parks allow it but they limit MD to very small areas. These areas of course were probably worked to death.