Kicked out of a public park

[Tom_in_CA]

I know I'm a little late to this thread, but here goes: It is not a good idea to go asking "permission" to detect in areas, where there are no specific prohibitions. Lest you merely get a "no", becuase that's the safe answer for a deskbound bureaucrat to pass out. And no, I do not consider "vandalism" and "destruction" type clauses, to apply to us. Because clauses like those, imply some sort of end result, right? Ie.: that you LEAVE a mess or hole or scar or whatever. But if YOU know you'll leave no trace of your presence, then that's good enough. Why leave that judgement up to someone else, just because they envision geeks with shovels?

Here's an article I wrote on the subject, for a fellow composing a website a year or so ago:

http://www.mdhtalk.org/articles/alternative-view-law/alternative-view.htm

 

[Flambeaux]

I couldn't agree more. On public property that isn't posted, I just go ahead and hunt them. Most parks have a long list of don'ts..No BBq, No Dogs off leash, etc....if I dont see and No Metal detecting then its fair game in my book.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Tippy, if I was you ....... upon hearing that the town had a new mayor, I would not have asked. I would have done exactly what you did years earlier, and have just GONE. That is, of course, if there were not a sign saying "no metal detecting" there. Because the minute you ask in ANY town in the USA, you can often get that "no" answer, when in fact, no one would even have cared. In other words, no one often cares UNTIL you ask.

For example: In my city, we can detect the parks, usually un-bothered. But I bet if I waltzed into city hall, and started asking enough bureaucrats "can I?", that someone eventually would say "no". Mind you, this might be someone who would otherwise have never given it a passing thought. And usually, when cities pass out these "no's", they are usually quick to back it up with buzz-words like "holes" or "digging" etc.....

The problem with buzz-words like "holes" and "digging" is the knee-jerk assumption and mental image that you will leave open holes, scars, damage, etc... But WE know that we'll leave no trace of our presense. Why isn't that good enough? Why leave the mental assumptions in someone else's hands to arbitrarily pass out "no's" when there is really no specific rule (barring something silly that someone applies to you, simply since you asked).

I just go at more discreet times, where less busy-bodies are apt. to intrude. Ie.: later in the afternoons, etc.... Because let's face it: we're in an odd hobby that draws stares. So it's sort of like nose-picking: just be discreet, and no one notices. But when you start asking people "can I pick my nose?" of course they're going to tell you "no".

 

[huskerfan72]

I live in an extremely small town in Kansas. Our local city park received a facelift about four or five years ago. I've been read the riot act by the local Pride Committee members in regards to "digging up the park." Funy thing is, I always pick up the bottles and cans and other trash when I go down there to metal detect, and I carefully fill in and water any holes I dig. I probably do more maintenance than anyone else in town, but I get all the grief.

 

[JamesBondaka]

Its the same thing as IF you own a gun....you must be a wack job! "Only people that have guns...are bad people". Please!!!

 

[Prep1957]

Carry small digital tape recorder or wear I kam glasses.I was asked to leave small public park in small town.A man approached me and said he was in charge of park and I had to leave.I asked him for his ID or a letter saying he had that authority.He said he did not have to show me nothing.I told him to go away that my time was valuable he got mad and I continued hunting.About an hour later a county deputy showed up said he got a complaint from neighbor that I was digging up park he looked around I asked him if he seen any laws that I had broken he said no but he would like me to leave anyway I told him no I was not and he got macho jerk off big bad police officer unbuckling his holster on me so I left but what he did not know that I had whole thing on video I downloaded when I got home sent to my lawyer he sent to local sheriff who suspended deputy for a week but it was lowered to 2 days because of union issues.The guy that first told me to leave was one of us another coinhunter who did not want me hunt his local park there are a lot smaller cameras out there I saw one that was mounted in bill of baseball cap.I keep business cards of my lawyer at hand also you will be surprised at how many people just go away including law enforcement ,mayors,etc when you say to them my lawyer says I can hunt here if you have any question please call him.99.5% of time I do not get bothered but I do not hunt schools anymore they can invent things to arrest you on.

 

[banditicey]

I really admire what you did
Shame on the coin guy who did not want to share
I'm a lawyer but not personally confrontational but Ill keep your story in mind if I come across the same thing
Also, detecting at schools on Sundays,holidays and summer vacations work

HAPPY HUNTING