Suggested Parking

October 10, 2007

Asked this on the Chat site and was surprised by some of the answers so I'll ask it here to see what the reaction is: I appreciate that some people cycle and others go for long ramblimg walks so it would make no difference to them at all. I'm talking about the car drivers, especially those passing through so to speak and not local to the area. What are the feelings about suggested parking being a mandatory requirement which is to be shown on a cache page when submitted for review? :mad:

1.1k · October 10, 2007

As non-drivers might argue then... how about the same for local bus stops? Where would it end?

Jon

October 10, 2007

Asked this on the Chat site and was surprised by some of the answers so I'll ask it here to see what the reaction is: I appreciate that some people cycle and others go for long ramblimg walks so it would make no difference to them at all. I'm talking about the car drivers, especially those passing through so to speak and not local to the area. What are the feelings about suggested parking being a mandatory requirement which is to be shown on a cache page when submitted for review?

I put suggested parking as waypoints....seems to work!

October 10, 2007

As a non car driver, I use public transport and I am starting to mention the bus info, if I can I will recommend a parking area, however I don't know all the highway code and don't want to recommend somewhere you should not park.

1.3k · October 10, 2007

Wouldn't want it myself. Part of the fun is plotting somewhere to park. Plus for a series around say a nature reserve, you'd get a raft of (nearly?) identical waypoints. PITA

Wouldn't work well for ones where Tube Stations would be used. Wouldn't work on puzzle caches particularly well either. Imho. :mad:

October 10, 2007

Well, I go for long rambling walks, and don't normally park in a specific place in order to do a specific cache, BUT we do generally drive out to our starting point. Hope that doesn't disqualify me

Is there really a problem at the moment? Most caches seem - off hand, from memory - to have some kind of parking info on them, (even if it is sometimes completely dodgy - like a passing place or a gateway! but that's another story ...)

Do you perceive a problem with lots of caches that don't have parking?

I suggested on here a while ago that if people did provide this info they could try to make sure the quality was good, (ie the place is safe & legal). I was told that this would put people off from placing caches! http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...t&p=3056775

1.1k · October 10, 2007

Notwithstanding my previous post above - I always do look for parking coords on cache pages. However to make them mandatory would, in my opinion, run into problems as previouly mentioned by PUP.

Jon

1.3k · October 10, 2007

Asked this on the Chat site and was surprised by some of the answers so I'll ask it here to see what the reaction is: I appreciate that some people cycle and others go for long ramblimg walks so it would make no difference to them at all. I'm talking about the car drivers, especially those passing through so to speak and not local to the area. What are the feelings about suggested parking being a mandatory requirement which is to be shown on a cache page when submitted for review?

Mandatory parking would kinda give the game away on some puzzle caches wouldn't it.... ?

Jon

1.7k · October 10, 2007

If a parking place is suggested then the route to the cache should also have been tested.

Yes, believe it or not it happens!

1.3k · October 10, 2007

What sort of Parking would it be?

Alot of parking areas have height restriction barriers that prevent some vehicles from parking... :mad:

Jon.

6.2k · October 10, 2007

I don't think giving suggested parking should be obligatory, as has been said before shouldn't we then include bus stops, cycle racks, etc...

Having said that I have included suggested parking for all mine, but they are all proper car parks, and on one this is a mile away but there are other places to park off road if you're really lazy but you need to find them yourself, similarly the recommended parking for my daughters cache is about .75 miles away and we didn't mention the offroad about 200yds away

October 10, 2007

What sort of Parking would it be?

Off road, I presume, Jon

October 10, 2007

This was discussed recently on "the other forum" .

Making it mandatory is probably a bit of a non-starter. Some cachers think that driving round wasting time and fuel is a part of the hunt. Me, I find it more fun going for a walk in the country, and I'm grateful to the very few cachers who do give suggested parking.

Yes, there are cachers who travel other than by car, and there are caches - especially in urban areas - where bus/train/tube/tram information is given. That info isn't often useful to me, but I'm still grateful that the cache owner has taken the trouble to provide it.

All information on how to get to the cache is useful. Thanks to the owners who provide it :mad:

October 10, 2007

Suggested parking co-ords make a huge difference, IMO.

If the cache is in an area we do not know, we definately look for and hope to find the cahce setter has taken a bit of stress and worry out of finding somewhere apropriate to park. Even if it tells us that the nearby roads have plenty of parking available.

Not knowing an area and not knowing where to park can be a real put-off when deciding what caches to do. Many caches we have passed or been near have been left alone simply because we don't know where to park and it can be hard when you don't know the area.

Easy solution is look for a cache that we know where we can park.

As far as public trasport goes, I don't think it is the same at all.

Two minutes on the internet can tell you where the cache is, and a quick look on the right pages will tell you where buses stop and where the closest railway stations are.

Where can you find that kind of information for parking a car? I personally look on Google Earth, hoping to see where other cars are parked, but that is not really too reliable.

Should they be mandatory? No. Not all caches should be approached by car. I would not take my car to go caching in central London! :mad:

When I list a cache, I try to think of it a bit like making an advert for the cache. I want to attract as many people as possible to it for them to enjoy. I know many people would prefer to know in advance that they can park safely as opposed to having no idea even if they will find somewhere.

Oh, and as a driving instructor, I don't think there is any excuse for not owning a car and driving

Edited October 10, 2007 by Geo-Kate

1.1k · October 10, 2007

Oh, and as a driving instructor, I don't think there is any excuse for not owning a car and driving

Oh how could you say such a thing?

:mad:

October 10, 2007

Don't think it needs to be mandatory, however I do admit to finding it useful as I myself am disabled. Therefore if someone knows where the best or closest place to park is, it just makes life that little bit easier. I also try to include them in the few caches I've posted/placed, purely for the same reasons!

Ade

Edited October 10, 2007 by osman123

2.2k · October 10, 2007

The pass time is supposed to be about navigation in part is it not.

Part of the skill surely is to find the way there.

Compulsory parking co ords, you would get em but they would be bu**er all use for parking.

October 10, 2007

The pass time is supposed to be about navigation in part is it not.

Part of the skill surely is to find the way there.

Compulsory parking co ords, you would get em but they would be bu**er all use for parking.

Yes, I agree, but I like my navigation and orienteering to be done on foot between the car and the cache, not before!

Driving around trying to find somewhere to park = not fun and stressful at times.

Walking around trying to find correct path = fun and can be stressful at times!

2.2k · October 10, 2007

The pass time is supposed to be about navigation in part is it not.

Part of the skill surely is to find the way there.

Compulsory parking co ords, you would get em but they would be bu**er all use for parking.

Yes, I agree, but I like my navigation and orienteering to be done on foot between the car and the cache, not before!

Driving around trying to find somewhere to park = not fun and stressful at times.

Walking around trying to find correct path = fun and can be stressful at times!

Looking at a map generally helps.

1.3k · October 10, 2007

Off road, I presume, Jon

I've been known to park on the road as well...

As long as the road has been crushed into little bits first :mad:

Jon

October 10, 2007

We actually prefer it if suggested parking is suggested on the cache page and I agree with the comment that a cache page is a bit like an advert with one wishing to attract visitors to it, by putting such detail does attract us that's for sure. Also it must be said that the actual ground never looks the same as you had imagined it on the map when you get there! :mad: So not mandatory then! Just be helpful.....

October 10, 2007

If we are going to have suggested parking, then lets have a mandatory field for safe places to lock up bikes for us cyclists?

October 10, 2007

If we are going to have suggested parking, then lets have a mandatory field for safe places to lock up bikes for us cyclists?

Is there such a thing?

Ade

October 10, 2007

Good point. Maybe suitable places then?

8.6k · October 10, 2007

If we are going to have suggested parking, then let's have a mandatory field for safe places to lock up bikes for us cyclists?

...Is there such a thing?

...Good point. Maybe suitable places then?

:mad:

Chained to the leg of the mandatory cow in the mandatory field maybe?

MrsB

Edited October 10, 2007 by The Blorenges

October 10, 2007

Perhaps, but we will need the mandatory caution cows attribute for that one. And of course, the caution angry farmer attribute to go with it. Ahh, the list goes on.

October 10, 2007

Asked this on the Chat site and was surprised by some of the answers so I'll ask it here to see what the reaction is: I appreciate that some people cycle and others go for long ramblimg walks so it would make no difference to them at all. I'm talking about the car drivers, especially those passing through so to speak and not local to the area. What are the feelings about suggested parking being a mandatory requirement which is to be shown on a cache page when submitted for review?

It would be nice if Additional Waypoints were used when suggesting parking places, or any other waypoints for that matter. Some of us don't particularly enjoy keying in coords.

I will almost always offer parking coords, but I can see that there are occasions when you wouldn't want to supply them.

1.3k · October 10, 2007

I will almost always offer parking coords, but I can see that there are occasions when you wouldn't want to supply them.

Hmm... Evil thought... I guess you could make the puzzle part of the cache resolve both the parking co-ords as well as the cache co-ords?

J

October 10, 2007

Are we all loosing the plot here.. paking co-ords!!! The whole game/sport/hobby is to find something hidden.

Part of that is the getting to it. Why give parking co-ords.. I have been on wrong side of walls, rivers, fences.. housing estates.. with the Oh! Bu**er comment. All part off the game.

Gettin to be that folks want to be spoon fed every thing so the game is easier.

Shame when part of the whole thing is supposed to get yer out of your cars an get some exercise :mad:

Quads are different

Moss T

Edited October 10, 2007 by Moss Trooper

October 10, 2007

Wrong side of a river. I know all about that one!

October 10, 2007

I will almost always offer parking coords, but I can see that there are occasions when you wouldn't want to supply them.

Hmm... Evil thought... I guess you could make the puzzle part of the cache resolve both the parking co-ords as well as the cache co-ords?

J

Strangely enough we just did the Green Valley Zone series, which does exactly that. I wonder how many people have actually worked out the parking coords though.

3.9k · October 10, 2007

Would this suggestion mean that someone who travels by foot, bus, or bike to place a cache, would then need to scout around for the nearest legal parking spot, take into account whether it's a common site for thefts or "other stuff that goes on in car parks" , etc?

Another reason it's a bad idea: it would provide another way for the cache owner to get into conflict with the reviewers. I don't think the latter are clamouring for more ways to be hassled.

Edited October 10, 2007 by sTeamTraen

October 10, 2007

Where can I land my helicopter?

2.3k · October 10, 2007

Wrong side of a river. I know all about that one!

:grin:

Sorry you would have to be local to understand what J means

M

October 11, 2007

Are we all loosing the plot here.. paking co-ords!!! The whole game/sport/hobby is to find something hidden.

Part of that is the getting to it. Why give parking co-ords.. I have been on wrong side of walls, rivers, fences.. housing estates.. with the Oh! Bu**er comment. All part off the game.

Gettin to be that folks want to be spoon fed every thing so the game is easier.

Shame when part of the whole thing is supposed to get yer out of your cars an get some exercise

We've been known to supply parking co-ords with our caches but generally we are in full agreement with you.

October 11, 2007

OK - parking is really useful info for urban and suburban caches done by those in mobile metal coffins, and parking waypoints are a real boon - as often parking info requires local knowledge. Hey its greener to go straight to a parking spot than cruising streets and lanes endlessly - ( touch of irony methinks here ).

Which brings me to my point ... lets have a 'Send to GPS, option for waypoints. I know we can download the GPX file and upload that from our PC utilities - but lets make life a little easier if we can. Throw a little light on the process, so to speak and move forward from the gas mantle.

October 11, 2007

OK - parking is really useful info for urban and suburban caches done by those in mobile metal coffins, and parking waypoints are a real boon - as often parking info requires local knowledge. Hey its greener to go straight to a parking spot than cruising streets and lanes endlessly - ( touch of irony methinks here ).

Words like "glasshouses, stones, people, ham and common" spring to mind.

P

October 11, 2007

Can us boaters have mooring co-ords please

October 11, 2007

Can us boaters have mooring co-ords please

Don't forget to check the depth by the towpath at those coords as well, some of us have deeper drafted boats and cant get all the way in to the bank :grin:

Cruise by caches rule!!!!!

2.9k · October 11, 2007

Can us boaters have mooring co-ords please

We did :grin: also doubled as parking co ords

We use tom tom to get us as close as it can then memory map to look at the footpaths to the cache, as we have found using additional waypoints a waste of time.

But we do appreciate the cost of doing the above and Tom Tom can occasionally put you the wrong side of a loch

October 11, 2007

If a cache needs parking co-ords then Waypoints are fine.

We did 4 caches on Sunday, 12km round trip on foot.

The first one was about 1500m from the Suggested car park. If we had just been going in for the first then there was parking that would have been suitable for a cache grab.

I wouldn't have been happy to park there for the whole walk it was comforting to know that there was a public car park there before we set out but only cos it was easier than searching ourselves.

Some of the roadside caches in scotland it is nice to be given parking suggestions cos if you pass them it can be some time before you get an oppertunity to turn around.

but then if we are going down that route i want to know if it is easier accesable going north or south??

I missed a cache on sunday because it was on the other side of the road. It was only a 2 lane road but there was no where safe to park (when travelling in either direction). and it was not safe to cross that road.

But knowing would have taken the fun out of it...

October 11, 2007

I think that this thread just goes to prove that you cannot please some people at any time and others only some of the time. Oh well it's only a game/hobby/pastime and we are of course free to play it as we wish to play it and whenever we choose. So just enjoy it wherever you park or whatever side of the river you find yourself. :grin:

PS: Thanks for all your views and comments...'enlightening' to say the least!

1.6k · October 11, 2007

Mandatory? - No!

Optional? - Of course.

Let's not dictate what people should or shouldn't do. Leads to many other complications.

October 11, 2007

OK - parking is really useful info for urban and suburban caches done by those in mobile metal coffins, and parking waypoints are a real boon - as often parking info requires local knowledge. Hey its greener to go straight to a parking spot than cruising streets and lanes endlessly - ( touch of irony methinks here ).

Words like "glasshouses, stones, people, ham and common" spring to mind.
P

LOLOLOL - Yep - the given location is the parking!! Forgot to add a waypoint with the same location. Less of a glasshouse and stones , more simply feeble of mind.

:laughing:

Suggested Parking

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