hi

[sam smith]

hi iam new to this hobbie and loving it . but i need to know if its ok to use a metal dector at public parks or not

 

[GrizLeeBear]

Mostly yes, sometimes know. Many of us go and try unless it is posted. If they ask you to leave, be polite and ask why. When there, fill your holes and leave no mess. Try not to be a bother to other people in the park enjoying their visit there. Enjoy

 

[Minrelica]

Mostly yes, sometimes know. Many of us go and try unless it is posted. If they ask you to leave, be polite and ask why. When there, fill your holes and leave no mess. Try not to be a bother to other people in the park enjoying their visit there.
Enjoy

I basically typed the same response then backed out thinking that I'd let someone else respond and there you are.

 

[sam smith]

thanks , i wasnt to sure about the rules but that sounds like a good like a good plan. ill be going this weekend.

 

[Minrelica]

What state are you in?

Also, watch some youtube videos on how to cover a target and cut a plug before you go out (if you haven't already)

Proper etiquette is equally as important as learning the machine.

 

[Dynamo76]

Sam,

It's always good to call the local parks for permission. Upon request our county parks issued me a permit that I carry to avoid hassles. Schools can be funny about people on their grounds with odd looking machines these days. As I am inland and cant get to the beaches easily I rely on the parks for the md fix. Was out last night to a new sight in single digit weather. Good luck!

 

[gleaner1]

Typically, Tnet members cannot offer advice on these good questions, because they don't live in your town, you see. Just ask the police, they know the local laws. If it's legal or not, they would know, fo' sho'.

 

[Minrelica]

I've learned that it's better to check the ordinances yourself rather than start calling around and advertising.. Just a thought

 

[gleaner1]

I say that asking the police is the best, fastest, easiest way to find out if tectin is legal or not. After all, the police will be the ones that haul your arse to the clink for illegal tectin.

 

[Sandman]

If you ask the park people more than likely they will just say NO detecting allowed when they are mainly interested in not causing damage to the grass. Asking the police won't help much as detecting may not be a law, just a policy of the city. You don't ask if you can play ball or throw a stick for your dog, what makes you think detecting would be any different? Just enjoy yourself and don't dig holes. I use a screw driver to probe for the coin and if I can't touch it with the screw driver I leave the target in the ground rather than disturb the grass.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

with all due respect for dynamo76 .... no, it is not a good idea to call the park's dept, and ask for "permission". Because you might just get someone to say "no", when ..... truth be told .... perhaps they would never have even cared or noticed you (till you came in with your "pressing question"). If there is no rule prohibiting an activity, then why would a person "need permission", in the first place?

And as for gleaners advice to ask the police, this is perhaps better (because they're maybe going to actually answer with whether or not there's actual rules or laws on the subject, rather than whimsical arbitrary "permission" type responses). But on the other hand, you could get a police person to reply in some odd way, like saying "yes but you can't dig" (EVEN IF YOU MADE NO MENTION OF "DIGGING"!). Why? Because let's face it: that's the knee-jerk reaction of some people's mental impressions, and the connotation of metal detectors afterall.

But all such verbage in city laws that disallow "alterations" "vandalism" "defacing" and so forth, when you think of it .... all distinctly refer to the END result, technically speaking. So if you leave no trace of your presence (cover your spot, stomp it down, ruffle it up, etc...), then by logical definition, you have not altered, vandalized, or defaced anything, now have you?

So I would not put myself up to the mood or potential for someone to morph other things to apply to my question. If you are skittish, look up city muni codes for yourself. If you see nothing there saying no-metal-detectors, then presto, it must not be prohibited City charter, laws, codes, park dept. rules, etc.... are usually available on their website. If they don't have a website that detailed, then usually available in binder form on city hall front desk, etc....

 

[gleaner1]

Great discussion and many good views by all. An ordinance, by definition, is a law. All local laws (ordinances) are written down somewhere. Have fun looking for that. Always remember this. All municipalities have ordinances, or laws. And I promise you that it is against the law to damage or destroy property, public or private, anywhere and everywhere. Lawns and plants and plant roots are valuable property, its expensive to maintain a good turf and shrubbery and gardens and trees and such. You can't cut your neighbors flowers, and you cant damage his lawn. Same with the parks. So the question and subsequent discussion is moot. If there are no rules posted against tectin then just get out there and start pulling some good old coins, see what happens. Learn good recovery techniques, maintain utmost professionalism, have common courtesy, and keep a low profile. Everything will be okay. I see guys chipping golf balls in our park turf, leaving big divots everywhere. I see people riding horses in our park, leaving big deep hoof marks all over. Nobody bothers them because nobody cares. They dont need to find out if its okay to go to the park and dig big divots with there pitching wedges or their horse hooves. We dont need to find out if its okay to go to the park and metal detect. We just do it. If tectin becomes against the rules, it is our duty to make sure pitching wedges and horses are against the rules too.

 

[gleaner1]

Having said all this I shall rant more. NY state beaches strictly forbid any physical horseplay, and throwing of various balls of any kind, and frisbees, and anything throw-able that you actually throw, including your kids. But they allow tectin in the water and on the sand beach, with a permit.