What is your opinion on detecting residential boulevards?

[Jama]

I know that they are public property but I only detect an area that I have permission to be there. Then there's no problem when someone questions me.

 

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[hvacker]

The strip seems more like an easement. The town has dominion but owner has the responsibility of maintenance.
Like shoveling snow and cutting grass. The actually legality would be interesting. Is it public property or an easement.
A deed could be looked and seen where the owners property ends. If it was public land then the owner wouldn't have to care for it.
My house has no sidewalks or public roads but I do have easements for utilities. My deed shows the easements belonging to me.

 

[Owassokie]

For me, I just don't like detecting when I'm worried about a neighbor coming out to harass me. Part of the reason I detect is to let my mind rest and focus on something pleasant. I've been researching where they built highways over old neighborhoods. I just pull over and detect. I've tried a couple times with no luck. Found some old items but nothing valuable yet.

 

[alaskaseeker]

This is another of those common sense deals, I think for the most part folks don't care if you hit those strips there's stuff there for sure, be careful cutting plugs anywhere I never had a problem as I chose nice parks and those strips after a good rainsoaking.. Just think carefully about those things...
Geo

 

[trdking]

I pulled a merc and a silver ring out of the one in front of my house. Neighbor gave me permission to hit his and it was all bottle caps and pull tabs. I hunt them when I get permission or as said before vacant houses are ok. Leave no trace

 

[holepuncher]

It is surprising what you can do and not get questioned if you wear a safety vest and a hardhat.

 

[Clay Diggins]

Very rarely does the city own that strip. In most cases the city has an easement on the private property there.

Even if a city did own the strip that in no way makes it "public" property. Municipal property belongs to the municipal corporation ("city") - not to the public.

It is possible for a municipality to dedicate their property for public use which is the most common scenario. "Public use" does not necessarily equal open to metal detecting as anyone who has hunted a public park, library, police station or museum knows.

The most common public use dedication for sidewalks and margin strips is the "use" of the right of the public to walk on the strip while traveling from place to place. The right to travel the strip does not give anyone the right to take property or dig the strip.

Private easements are also often dedicated by the municipality for the use of utilities (water, sewer, electric, gas, phone etc.). In those cases it would be foolish to assume you could detect or dig. With a little research (due diligence) you will find that utility easements are actually specifically protected from digging without a permit from the municipality.