Status of detecting in city parks

[Crunchyhippo]

I haven't seen an explicit directive for my city (Clearwater, FL) stating that metal detecting is forbidden in the city-owned parks. Are city parks generally off-limits to detectorists? There are a number of them I'd love to check out, especially one that goes back to the 19th century. But I don't want a cop writing me a ticket for violating an ordinance, either.

 

[pepperj]

I haven't seen an explicit directive for my city (Clearwater, FL) stating that metal detecting is forbidden in the city-owned parks. Are city parks generally off-limits to detectorists? There are a number of them I'd love to check out, especially one that goes back to the 19th century. But I don't want a cop writing me a ticket for violating an ordinance, either.

#1 Rule: Don't ask the city administration for clarification.

"Person sitting behind a desk has this image in their uninformed mind.

Better to just ask for forgiveness than throw up some red flag. If there is an issue it will be posted.
Enjoy, best of luck.

 

[robertk]

According to section 22.28.3 of the city ordinances, it would appear to be OK, just fill your holes...

No unauthorized person shall transplant or remove from any park area or public beach any sand whether submerged or not or any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs, plants, seeds, flowers, fruits, nuts, down timber or other wood materials; make any search or excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency; construct or erect any buildings or structures of whatever kind whether permanent or temporary in character; or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands. Exceptions shall be permitted for minor excavations involving the recovery of lost artifacts on the public beaches or public parks, provided such minor excavations are immediately refilled and no safety hazards to the public are created.

 

[UnderMiner]

Just do it. If anyone stops you just say, "I misinterpreted the rules".

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

It's not a city law, it's county law, Pinellas County law does not allow detecting in county parks, beaches are allowed.

 

[TORRERO]

I’ll be honest.. we travel and have no way to find out if someplace is off limits or not, I hunt playgrounds until told off, I’m from Charlotte North Carolina and even though there is NO SIGNS saying you CAN’T, I have actually been stopped a few times by park keepers and told it’s not allowed. They can’t show anything in writing and there is no ordinance actually.. the last guy said that Anything in any of the parks actually belongs to Mecklenburg county 😳😂 … won’t stop me from hunting the parks though… only stopped twice in 30 years 🤷🏼‍♂️😂🤣

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

I’ll be honest.. we travel and have no way to find out if someplace is off limits or not, I hunt playgrounds until told off, I’m from Charlotte North Carolina and even though there is NO SIGNS saying you CAN’T, I have actually been stopped a few times by park keepers and told it’s not allowed. They can’t show anything in writing and there is no ordinance actually.. the last guy said that Anything in any of the parks actually belongs to Mecklenburg county 😳😂 … won’t stop me from hunting the parks though… only stopped twice in 30 years 🤷🏼‍♂️😂🤣

Law is enforced here, you use to be able to hunt the country parks in Pinellas Co, I use to do it, then one day around 2009 or 2010 law passed, I had park ranger drive up and give me a warning for detecting..

 

[UnderMiner]

Law is enforced here, you use to be able to hunt the country parks in Pinellas Co, I use to do it, then one day around 2009 or 2010 law pasded, I had park ranger drive up and give me a warning for detecting..

Pff, a warning, that's essentially permission at that rate. Now if a fine was given then you would mearly have to extrapolate the potential value of the treasure to be found and calculate how many fines you would need to incur before your whole treasure hunting endeavor became hopelessly unprofitable. I'm just joking by the way, don't do this 🤣👍

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Pff, a warning, that's essentially permission at that rate. Now if a fine was given then you would mearly have to extrapolate the potential value of the treasure to be found and calculate how many fines you would need to incur before your whole treasure hunting endeavor became hopelessly unprofitable. I'm just joking by the way, don't do this 🤣👍

I was given warning because law was new then.

Fine is up to $500 and equipment can be confiscated, lawyer fees not cheap so why would I risk that for mostly loose change and kids toys.

I know you were joking.....

I have found gold rings in city and county parks, but they are rarer. Find lot more gold on our beaches....