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6.2. PRSR 07-09-2014 hi Request for Action River To Item Number Parks and Recreation Commission 6.2 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Discussion Item July 9,2014 Michael Hecker,Parks and Recreation Director Item Description Reviewed by Metal Detecting Policy Cal Portner, City Administrator Reviewed by Action Requested No action requested. Discussion of the request to permit metal detecting in city parks. Background/Discussion During the open forum portion of the meeting last month,Mr. Steven Shoemaker presented to the Commission information on metal detecting. The letter and information that he passed out is attached. Mr. Shoemaker's letter outlines the benefits of metal detecting. He shared that there are clubs all over the state and many parks permit metal detecting. He requested the commission remove the ban on metal detecting and replace it with a permit policy. Currently the city has no ban on metal detecting. Staff surveyed area park agencies and found that 11 counties and nearby cities either specifically allow metal detecting or do not have a policy prohibiting metal detecting. Three Rivers Parks and Minnesota State Parks do not allow metal detecting. The Minnesota Land Trust is also silent on the issue,indicating that it is an acceptable activity at Bailey Point,as long as the proper tools and rules are followed. Mr. Shoemaker stated that Ramsey County Parks and Recreation allows metal detecting by permit. The Ramsey County policy is also attached. Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Director Jon Oyanagi indicated that their policy works well. If the City of Elk River decides to allow permits for metal detecting,the Ramsey model would be a good one to follow. Staff recommends that the Commission discuss the information outlined in the attachments. Any new park rules,permits and/or ordinances should not be considered until later in the year when all of the current ordinances are planned to be reviewed by staff and the Commission. In the meantime, staff and volunteers can encourage those who want to do metal detecting to follow the Treasure Hunters Credo as outlined in the Ramsey County policy. Financial Impact None at this time. Attachments • Steve Shoemaker Letter to the Commission and Metal Detecting Information • Ramsey Parks and Recreation Department Metal Detecting Permit and Credo PTIMEREI IT LNAIURE What is Metal Detecting ? Treasure Hunting is a hobby that is enjoyed by thousands of people Worldwide.The word Treasure is used generically because it means different things to different people.To a hobbyist,treasure can be:Pennies, Nickels,Dimes,Quarters, etc.or it could be simply a horseshoe or an old toy. We use Metal Detectors to find these items.Metal Detectors send a small signal into the ground that gives a response when a metal object is located. (Metal Detectors can only locate"Metal Objects".They cannot find Indian artifacts, fossils,etc.) Most detectors will tell you if it is a coin,what type of coin it is,and how deep it is. They generally will locate coin sized objects from the surface down to about 6-8 inches deep at best. Most brands of Metal detectors are made in the United States,and this industry provides many good jobs for U.S. citizens. What are we looking for? Wherever people have gathered,coins and other objects have been dropped.Over the years,this has resulted in millions of coins, buttons,and various other objects being scattered in the ground across the entire Country_Parks and other public lands have been places where people gather,in both the past and present times: So there has been,and will be,a continuous amount of coins lost in these areas. Locating and recovering these items is a very fun and engaging activity.Thus the hobby of Metal Detecting was created.The hobby of Metal Detecting needs Parks and public lands in order to exist.There are only so many coins and things to be found in your yard,and then you would quickly be out of a hobby. A good quality Metal Detector will cost over$1,000.Most hobbyists will never find anywhere near that much.We don't do this hobby to make money.We do it because we enjoy the activity and sharing what we are finding at our club meetings and with our Facebook Metal Detecting groups. We love and respect History.When we find even the simplest items that can be tied to an event or place,(like trade tokens,etc)we are thrilled with the discovery,and are more than willing to share it with others. What is happening to the items in the ground ? We are all aware of the discovery of the Titanic in 1985.They discovered that the ship is deteriorating at a rapid pace, and at some point in the future it will be gone.This same process happens to manmade objects in the ground. Most of the items lost in the ground are currently in a continuous process of deterioration: Iron objects: Rust. Copper and Brass objects: Develop a powdery green oxidation that eats away at the surface of coins or buttons. Aluminum and zinc objects: Corrode. Over a period of time,plows, mowers,ground movement,frost heaves,and soil weight can also damage items. Left unrecovered,over a period of time,these objects will be permanently lost to history. *Note:These objects would never see the light of day again,if they were not detected and recovered by an individual with a Metal Detector. • How do we recover the items ? Shallow objects(0-3")are normally recovered by use of a probe(dulled tipped screwdriver). Deeper targets(4"-8")are potentially older,so to prevent damaging the object,a knife shaped digging tool is used to cut a semi circular slice in the sod(this allows the roots system to remain connected).This sod is then tipped up,the object is pinpointed and recovered,and the sod is tamped back down into its original position. The result is little to no noticeable damage.Squirrels create far more noticeable damage than a Hobbyist. What do we do with the things we find ? Common coins:(the vast majority of what we find)are cleaned and returned to circulation. Collectable coins: Make their way into coin collections,which is another hobby that is enjoyed by Hundreds of Thousands of people,from kids to Senior Citizens,and helps to preserve our numismatic heritage. Other interesting items:(that would never have otherwise been recovered)have often been donated to museums,or are proudly researched and displayed by the finder. Traceable items: Are often able to been returned to their owners(or even to their descendants). Missing items:Hobbyists have often assisted individuals and/or law enforcement officials with finding missing items. Aluminum, Brass,Copper,Lead, Iron,etc.are turned in to be recycled. Aluminum Pull Tabs are collected at our Club meetings,and are donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charity Trash: We remove and dispose of all the trash that we find. Dangerous items: We have recovered and safely disposed of Used Needles,Knives, Live Bullets,Lead,Glass,Nails,and other sharp metal objects.We leave the grounds cleaner than when we got there. Organization: The Gopher State Treasure Hunters(GSTH)Club has been in existence since 1976: Our Club has a"Code of Ethics"that we follow: I will respect private property and will not treasure hunt without the owners permission. -I will not destroy property, buildings or what is left in ghost towns and deserted structures. -I will not litter. -I will leave gates as I found them. -I will not contaminate wells,creeks or other water supplies. -I will fill in all excavations,including beaches and in the water. -I will not tamper with signs, maintenance facilities or equipment. -I will respect natural resources and wildlife. -I will use thoughtfulness,consideration and courtesy at all times. -I will always check laws,ordinances or regulations,which may govern my search before entering public sites. -I will remove and properly dispose of any trash that I find. -I will report the discovery of items of significant historical value to a local historian or museum in accordance with the latest legislation. -I will mark the site and inform the authorities if I find live ammunition or lethal objects. -I will be an ambassador for the metal detecting and treasure hunting hobbies. We also conduct community events,such as;on June 21st our GSTH Club is sponsoring a Park cleanup event in Waseca Banning this Hobby ? A sign was recently put up in Elk River that stated that"Treasure Hunting with the use of Metal Detectors was banned in all Parks". When I saw this sign,my first thought was: Why? An individual with a metal detector,finding and recovering lost coins,is harming absolutely no one or nothing. We are simply enjoying the use of the park in an activity that we enjoy,as much as anyone else does in the activities that they enjoy doing. It gets us outdoors,provides us with a good form of physical activity. When curious people approach us,we are always happy to take the time to explain our hobby to them and show them items that we have found that day. Pet's can quickly make a mess of a Park,but they have not been banned.Instead,there have been reasonable rules applied to control their activity,which allows the pet owners to continue to enjoy the parks. I do agree that the same should be done with the Metal Detecting hobby. My proposed Solution: I believe that outright banning any activity from Public Property should require a sound legitimate reason to do so,and should only be done as a last resort. Rather than banning this activity,the Parks and Recreation Office could easily control it,as many other Government agencies have done.This could be done by issuing,a Permit to metal detect in the City Parks. A Permit(I have included an example that I modified from the Ramsey County Parks)would outline the proper procedures to follow to ensure that the Permit holder does not create a problem.If a Permit holder is observed not following these procedures,their Permit could be revoked. This way you can allow this hobby to continue for those of us that do follow the rules. For all of the above reasons,I am requesting that this ban be removed,and replaced with a Permit system. Thank You ! Steven Shoemaker PS: I welcome any of the Park Commissioners to come along with me to see how the metal detectors work,and how we conduct our hobby. *Something about me: I have lived in Elk River for 25 years. I have just retired after 40 years of Military Service(both Active and Guard).I spent 10 years as a Military Police officer,and 30 years as a Helicopter Pilot. I did a combat tour in Iraq,I have flown in several rescue missions in the Red River Valley floods. I have flown fire fighting missions throughout the state,and was one of the Blackhawk Pilots that responded to the 35W Bridge collapse. My two favorite pastimes are Metal Detecting and Gold Prospecting. Parks and Recreation Department 13065 Orono Parkway Tel: 763-635-1150 Elk River,MN 55330 Fax: 763-635-1155 June 11,2014 Elk River Parks and Recreation Treasure Hunting Permit is authorized to use a metal Detector within the City of Elk River Parks for the purpose of recovery of metal objects. It is understood that metal detecting activity must be conducted in a manner that does not interfere with other park patrons,and causes no more than minimal damage or disturbance to the turf or natural vegetation. Recovery tools are limited to a simple handheld probe and a digging tool not exceeding 3 inches wide.A scoop sieve may be utilized for beach sand recovery. We ask that you utilize the handheld probe for most shallow target recoveries. If a deeper target is encountered: 1. Cut a"C"shaped flap then use the uncut part as a hinge so that the sod will be easy to move without having it break loose from the surrounding soil. 2. Next,bring a cloth to put your dirt into to have a clean way to dump all the crumbs of dirt back into your hole when you are done. 3. After the target is recovered,dump all the dirt back into the hole and tip the sod back into place.Step down on the sod a few times to secure and level it.Then blend it back into its original appearance. When possible,you are expected to make every effort to return found items to their owners. Properly dispose of all trash found during your metal detecting activity. Additionally,if you find live ammunition,lethal objects,or any evidence of possible criminal activity,report these findings to the Elk River City Police Department. We ask all hobbyists to always use the Gopher State Treasure Hunters"Code of Ethics"as described in the following web link at: http://www.gsth.org/ [about us] [Code of Ethics]. Please have a copy of this permit in your possession when using a metal detector on Elk River City Park property. Failure to abide by this permits conditions will result in your Permit being revoked. Sincerely Michael Hecker Director of Park Services and Operations [001] ND Parks and Recreation Department Gregory A.Mack,Director Tel: 651-748-2500 2015 N.Van Dyke St. Fax:651-748-2508 Ramsey County Maplewood,MN 55109-3796 www.co.ramsey.mn.us April 30, 2014 Erik Newman 1281 Juno Ave St Paul, MN 55116 Re: 2014 Metal Detecting Authorization Dear Metal Detector Enthusiast: In response to your request, you are hereby authorized to use a metal detector within the Ramsey County parks and trails for the purpose of recovery of metal objects. This authorization is limited to normal park operating hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to %2 hour after sunset) and restricts the use a metal detector on county beaches or waterfront areas during normal beach operation hours (during the months of June through August, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) It is understood that metal detecting activity must be conducted in a manner that does not interfere with other park patrons, cause turf damage or disturb natural vegetation. Additionally, we ask detectors to use the Treasurer Hunters Code of Ethic as described in the following web link at: http://gsthmn. It is further understood, if you find live ammunition or lethal objects, you are to report these finding to the Ramsey County Sheriffs Department. Additionally, when possible, you are expected to make every effort to return found valuables to their owners. We asked that you utilize the Metal Target Recovery (Hinged Door Method) as the best practice standard for metal detecting in Ramsey County parks (please see attached flyer). Tools used for land digging are limited to handheld probes and should not be over 3 inches wide. For water hunting, a sand scoop or sieve is not to be over 10 inches in diameter. All excavations shall be returned to their original condition prior to the beginning of new excavations or leaving of area. Finally, as a part of this Permit, we request that you dispose of all trash found during your metal detecting activity be placed in an appropriate trash receptacle and abide by the Ramsey County Parks and Open Space Ordinance (copy attached). Please have a copy of this letter in your possession when using a metal detector on Ramsey County park property. This permit may be revoked at any time without notice. Sincerely, Mark McCabe Director of Park Services and Operations it A ' Treasure Hunters Credo pr,./4.eat Research, Hunt, Find and Recover... Recreation But Leave it Better for Another... 6 i •aelym 6M5 • I will respect private property and do no treasure hunting without the owner's permission. • I will not destroy property, buildings or what is left of ghost towns and deserted structures. • I will not litter. • I will leave gates as found. • I will not contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies. • I will fill all excavations, including beaches and in the water. • I will not tamper with signs, maintenance facilities or equipment. • I will respect natural resources and wildlife. • I will use thoughtfulness, consideration and courtesy at all times. • I will always check laws, ordinances or regulations, which may govern my search before searching public sites. • I will remove and properly dispose of any trash that I find. • I will report the discovery of items of significant historical value to a local historian or museum in accordance with the latest legislation. • I will mark the site and inform authorities if I find live ammunition or lethal objects. • I will be an ambassador for the metal detecting and treasure hunting hobbies. Thank you for being a respectful treasure hunter in the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation System Target Recouery The following"Hinged Door Method"of digging is widely recom. mended to minimize damage to lawns. Careful recovery in multipse well-groomed areas is the responsibility of all metals cdetector users. #1. ; .After' locating : 2. U a sturdy #3. C E ° , a (metal), digging R " b4F a y tur(, ..- pittpett the ` trowel or cut I�' f e.44 cotter. If your .� knife. cut a 1,na n histitoritent has .1 horseshoe- doormen) it ' take nree of ti fig arrrural the depth. the f - P pointed met with the loop held target Leave an uncut 9 `° sever tr inches above to hinge area to keep due _ s in place. #4. . ,;. N #' foriie ` . A . : .4 ! prtitai Y the tied a visually, and with your can be d to . =ti , loco, k.t ,.: It over. Vo ur detector, to see if the process of findire) the , ,;.`.sated target target is in the flap target in the nose tests.. , : `"'` .' or ruins pap m }._. up. in the hole.hole. S7. If additional dirt 08. ring 9, i . 'p the be 114i,,, needs to be romoimil from target, the dirt can then and step on tim holesfeace it on a . .,. easily be replaced with a Once ►. . _ = . my - cloth. minimum of spreading. little indication' iiiiiiiill ,...._�.4 of digger i t should be , i seen. 1 r-~ It Is Important for the future of metal detecting that — — - Check with your Dealer, Area Club, Local Police.or Parks&Recreations Dept. •Some areas may have rules on the size and type of rigging tools alowed. •Be aware of the rules, and respect the laws and restrictions in your area. •Unsightly hales are daigermos to people and livestock,and detrimental 31 to the continued use ci&lectors.