Park contacts and policies

[+hydnsek]

Many of us develop individual relationships with park personnel in the course of evangelizing and placing geocaches. I thought it might be useful to have a thread where people can share their knowledge about geocaching contacts and policies in specific parks and/or park systems, thereby saving others time and typing. No need to "cold call" a park if someone already knows the relevant info. And, if you encounter problems, you'll know a fellow cacher who works with that park and maybe can help.

 

Example: The first time I contacted North Cascades NPS Complex, I went through a general email on the park's website, got routed through several folks, and had to keep repeating my geocaching spiel and request. Weeks (months?) later, I finally got a dialog going on caching, and my earthcache was approved (first cache in the park). Now they are enthusiastic about it, and have designated a specific contact person. (And two more caches were just published up there.) Communicating this info with y'all could save the next cacher some legwork. (E.g., Sassy recently asked me who to contact at North Cascades.)

 

City and county parks take varying approaches to caching. Discovery Park: no how, no way (what's the latest on that?). King County Parks: go right ahead, no permission required. What about others?

 

And while Washington State Parks and the National Park Service have official geocaching guidelines, individual parks have discretion in how they are applied (although permission is always required).

 

FYI, in case you haven't seen them, here are three relevant resources on geocaching in state and federal parks:

• PNWadmin's Profile page covers geocaching restrictions in Washington and Idaho (among other excellent info)
  
• Washington State Park Geocaching Directive
  
• National Park Service (NPS) Geocaching Policy (PDF file)
  

With that preamble, let's trade park intel! (Note: When listing emails, be sure to alter them so they can't be scraped.)

 

I'll go first....

Edited November 7, 2008 by hydnsek

[+hydnsek]

King County Parks

 

Status: KCP supports geocaching as a sanctioned activity in King County parks (all 180 of them), with no permissions needed to place caches. Yay! They also welcome CITOs.

 

Background: KCP has never had a formal policy on geocaching. To ensure we stay in their good graces, I've been evangelizing geocaching through my status as a park Ambassador (volunteer). At KCP's annual Ambassador meeting in September, I discussed geocaching. Staff and volunteers from all five regions were there, plus Kevin Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation for King County. Kevin reiterated KCP's acceptance of geocaching in its parks.

 

At Cougar Mountain (KC's largest park), we have around 40 caches. I'm a volunteer there, and the park staff uses me as their geocaching liaison (e.g., if they have questions/concerns, or receive inquiries). We did a CITO at Red Town trailhead in May, which was a big hit; they said it was one of the most productive work parties they've ever had. (Thanks again to everyone who participated!) Apparently, the Cougar folks have spoken positively about geocachers to their KCP colleagues, as I've heard about it through the grapevine. So, my takeaway is that building a good relationship (volunteering, hosting a CITO, or just opening a dialog) with one park can help influence how we're perceived throughout an entire park system.

 

Finally, KCP is revising their website, and they've agreed to add geocaching to the list of park activities when the new site launches. !! Plus, they will be adding blogs to the site, and I've talked to them about doing one on geocaching.

 

Park request: The volunteer at Ring Hill Forest in Redmond has expressed in interest in a CITO, probably for invasive plant removal. If anyone's interested, I can provide the contact info.

 

So: King County Parks, a geocaching success story.

Edited November 7, 2008 by hydnsek

[+hydnsek]

Mount Rainier National Park

 

Status: Earthcaches and CITOs are welcomed. No physical placements.

 

Background: As a NP, Rainier doesn't allow physical caches. But we've established a relationship with them, primarily through two CITOs we did in the past year. (Team Misguided initiated things by hosting the first one, and I did the second one.) These CITOs were very well-received - so much so that they would love geocachers to sponsor an annual work party (maybe something WSGA would want to sponsor as part of its outreach efforts?).

 

Our contact, Kevin, thinks it's a long-shot that we'll ever get physical caches at Mt Rainier, but having him on our side doesn't hurt. He said physical caches would require the approval of the Superintendent (Dave Uberuaga) and/or Chief Ranger (Chuck Young), although he could help assess the request.

 

Contact:

 

Kevin Bacher

Volunteer Program Mgr

kevin_bacher at nps.gov

360-569-2211 (main)

 

Kevin is a geocacher! He signed up last year, but didn't really catch the caching bug until our CITO on National Trails Day this past June. Since then, he's been pretty active as K2D2. He's even placed three caches, including an earthcache at Rainier (of course).

Edited November 7, 2008 by hydnsek

[+hydnsek]

North Cascades National Park Service Complex

(North Cascades NP, Ross Lake NRA, Lake Chelan NRA)

 

Status: Earthcaches welcomed. Considering testing physical caches next year in select "no impact" areas. !!

 

Background: North Cascades NPSC covers a large swath of Washington's northern mountains, and due to its remoteness, doesn't get nearly the traffic or funding of Mt Rainier NP. Thus, the new Superintendent is receptive to ideas that might grow awareness and opportunities for his park.

 

North Cascades NPSC had no geocaches, and limited awareness of caching, until I approached them a year ago about earthcaches. Since then, I've been evangelizing geocaching to them, and they've become enthusiastic about adding "questing" activities to their repertoire for education and interpretation of park resources. They were not aware of the NPS Geocaching Policy, so I provided it to them (with the good parts highlighted).

 

On Oct. 3, I visited North Cascades and spent an entire day with the rangers, including the Superintendent (Chip Jenkins), Chief of Interpretation and Education (Charles Beall), and Interpretive Specialist (Cindy Bjorklund). They took me around the park, highlighting places they thought might be good for earthcaches/geocaches. They asked lots of questions about caching (for understanding and to reassure themselves that it wouldn't have a negative impact), and seemed to think it would integrate well with their mission. They persuaded me to sign up as a park volunteer (geocaching liaison), and Cindy has since given other cachers permission for earthcaches and for a physical cache at the park HQ in Sedro Woolley. (Two new earthcaches went live this week.)

 

We did touch on physical cache placements, and I brought along several examples of containers and contents, which Cindy was very interested in. However, they want to get comfortable with the caching concept first, starting with earthcaches and building from there. (And become convinced that we are land stewards that they can trust.) But they do have a precedent - they tested the "questing" waters this summer with a letterbox at the Visitor Center (I saw it - rubbermaid container under a wooden walkway, natch).

 

I believe, if we proceed thoughtfully and continue to build a positive relationship with North Cascades, that this NP could eventually be a win for physical geocaches. And, if it goes well, word will travel across the NPS grapevine to other parks that geocaching can be a positive addition to a park's interpretation activities. I'm just sayin'...we have an opportunity here.

 

Contact:

 

Cindy Bjorklund

Interpretive Specialist

cindy_bjorklund at nps.gov

360-854-7200 (main)

Edited November 7, 2008 by hydnsek

[+Dgwphotos]

King County Parks

 

Status: KCP supports geocaching as a sanctioned activity in King County parks (all 180 of them), with no permissions needed to place caches. Yay! They also welcome CITOs.

 

Background: KCP has never had a formal policy on geocaching. To ensure we stay in their good graces, I've been evangelizing geocaching through my status as a park Ambassador (volunteer). At KCP's annual Ambassador meeting in September, I discussed geocaching. Staff and volunteers from all five regions were there, plus Kevin Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation for King County. Kevin reiterated KCP's acceptance of geocaching in its parks.

 

At Cougar Mountain (KC's largest park), we have around 40 caches. I'm a volunteer there, and the park staff uses me as their geocaching liaison (e.g., if they have questions/concerns, or receive inquiries). We did a CITO at Red Town trailhead in May, which was a big hit; they said it was one of the most productive work parties they've ever had. (Thanks again to everyone who participated!) Apparently, the Cougar folks have spoken positively about geocachers to their KCP colleagues, as I've heard about it through the grapevine. So, my takeaway is that building a good relationship (volunteering, hosting a CITO, or just opening a dialog) with one park can help influence how we're perceived throughout an entire park system.

 

Finally, KCP is revising their website, and they've agreed to add geocaching to the list of park activities when the new site launches. !! Plus, they will be adding blogs to the site, and I've talked to them about doing one on geocaching.

 

Park request: The volunteer at Ring Hill Forest in Redmond has expressed in interest in a CITO, probably for invasive plant removal. If anyone's interested, I can provide the contact info.

 

So: King County Parks, a geocaching success story.

 

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

[+hydnsek]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

Edited November 8, 2008 by hydnsek

[+Dgwphotos]

That was something that Steve Williams, the park manager, told me when I met him last spring before I hid my Red Town Site cache. I think I might know which cache you mean.

[+hydnsek]

Hmmm....nobody has posted additional parks intel or feedback. I was hoping to learn stuff about other parks. Oh well.

---------------------------

 

But! Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed? Can we talk to them and work something out?

[+Dgwphotos]

Hmmm....nobody has posted additional parks intel or feedback. I was hoping to learn stuff about other parks. Oh well.

---------------------------

 

But! Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed? Can we talk to them and work something out?

 

That doesn't look good! Particularly Tiger.

[+Prying Pandora]

Hmmm....nobody has posted additional parks intel or feedback. I was hoping to learn stuff about other parks. Oh well.

---------------------------

 

But! Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed? Can we talk to them and work something out?

Oh no! That's awful!

[+sciuchetti]

A great earth science activity to do outside is EarthCaching. Get more information at http://www.earthcache.org/. As a part of geocaching — a geographical adventure game for Global Positioning System (GPS) users to cache and find locations with actual hidden items — an EarthCache adventure is treasure hunting for the geological “caches” that the Earth has deposited. EarthCache sites do not use stored containers; their treasure is the geoscience lessons people learn about our planet when they visit the sites.

 

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/...es/esw2008.aspx

 

The events for Earth Science week were in October. They might prefer this type of geocaching then ours were a container is left behind.

[+hydnsek]

Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed?

Ok, here's a bit more intel, thanks to Harriet the Spy (via Facebook):

 

The closure appears to be specific to the Sultan Basin area, which the DNR is closing to ALL recreational uses. It's not geocaching-specific, and virtual earthcaches won't be a solution - DNR apparently doesn't want anybody in there, including hikers.

 

There's been an active thread about this in the NW Hiker's forum since late August: Sultan Basin to be closed to public. The OP contains a lot of useful info.

 

If I parse correctly, this is the Spada Lake and Greider Lakes area, between the Mountain Loop Hwy and Hwy 2, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps those with better knowledge of the area can provide some insight after reading the thread, including which caches could be affected. And hopefully MTB will let us know the specifics when he has a chance.

 

In short, it also sounds like this is a limited situation of closing a watershed conservation area to all recreational use, not just geocaching, and not a prelude to a broader ban on geocaching in other popular areas (Mt Si, Tiger Mtn, et al).

 

Passing the microphone keyboard to someone else for comment....

[+AndrewRJ]

Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed?

Ok, here's a bit more intel, thanks to Harriet the Spy (via Facebook):

 

The closure appears to be specific to the Sultan Basin area, which the DNR is closing to ALL recreational uses. It's not geocaching-specific, and virtual earthcaches won't be a solution - DNR apparently doesn't want anybody in there, including hikers.

 

There's been an active thread about this in the NW Hiker's forum since late August: Sultan Basin to be closed to public. The OP contains a lot of useful info.

 

If I parse correctly, this is the Spada Lake and Greider Lakes area, between the Mountain Loop Hwy and Hwy 2, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps those with better knowledge of the area can provide some insight after reading the thread, including which caches could be affected. And hopefully MTB will let us know the specifics when he has a chance.

 

In short, it also sounds like this is a limited situation of closing a watershed conservation area to all recreational use, not just geocaching, and not a prelude to a broader ban on geocaching in other popular areas (Mt Si, Tiger Mtn, et al).

 

Passing the microphone keyboard to someone else for comment....

Ok this is my comment.

 

What is a watershead conservation area? Is it a drinking water supply? I could understand ATV's and motorcycles, but how much errosion is caused by a hiking trail? It isn't a lot. I cannot imagine that closing an entire basin is the solution, but then I guess I don't really understand the full extent of the problem.

 

Overall, it is a bad thing to have more public land closed to the public, but I am glad to see that we as geocachers are not being singled out.

[+Forty-n-Eight]

Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed?

Ok, here's a bit more intel, thanks to Harriet the Spy (via Facebook):

 

The closure appears to be specific to the Sultan Basin area, which the DNR is closing to ALL recreational uses. It's not geocaching-specific, and virtual earthcaches won't be a solution - DNR apparently doesn't want anybody in there, including hikers.

 

There's been an active thread about this in the NW Hiker's forum since late August: Sultan Basin to be closed to public. The OP contains a lot of useful info.

 

If I parse correctly, this is the Spada Lake and Greider Lakes area, between the Mountain Loop Hwy and Hwy 2, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps those with better knowledge of the area can provide some insight after reading the thread, including which caches could be affected. And hopefully MTB will let us know the specifics when he has a chance.

 

In short, it also sounds like this is a limited situation of closing a watershed conservation area to all recreational use, not just geocaching, and not a prelude to a broader ban on geocaching in other popular areas (Mt Si, Tiger Mtn, et al).

 

Passing the microphone keyboard to someone else for comment....

Ok this is my comment.

 

What is a watershead conservation area? Is it a drinking water supply? I could understand ATV's and motorcycles, but how much errosion is caused by a hiking trail? It isn't a lot. I cannot imagine that closing an entire basin is the solution, but then I guess I don't really understand the full extent of the problem.

 

Overall, it is a bad thing to have more public land closed to the public, but I am glad to see that we as geocachers are not being singled out.

 

I think the concern in watersheds is not so much erosion as people relieving themselves...no one wants that in our drinking water.

[+WeightMan]

Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed?

Ok, here's a bit more intel, thanks to Harriet the Spy (via Facebook):

 

The closure appears to be specific to the Sultan Basin area, which the DNR is closing to ALL recreational uses. It's not geocaching-specific, and virtual earthcaches won't be a solution - DNR apparently doesn't want anybody in there, including hikers.

 

There's been an active thread about this in the NW Hiker's forum since late August: Sultan Basin to be closed to public. The OP contains a lot of useful info.

 

If I parse correctly, this is the Spada Lake and Greider Lakes area, between the Mountain Loop Hwy and Hwy 2, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps those with better knowledge of the area can provide some insight after reading the thread, including which caches could be affected. And hopefully MTB will let us know the specifics when he has a chance.

 

In short, it also sounds like this is a limited situation of closing a watershed conservation area to all recreational use, not just geocaching, and not a prelude to a broader ban on geocaching in other popular areas (Mt Si, Tiger Mtn, et al).

 

Passing the microphone keyboard to someone else for comment....

Ok this is my comment.

 

What is a watershead conservation area? Is it a drinking water supply? I could understand ATV's and motorcycles, but how much errosion is caused by a hiking trail? It isn't a lot. I cannot imagine that closing an entire basin is the solution, but then I guess I don't really understand the full extent of the problem.

 

Overall, it is a bad thing to have more public land closed to the public, but I am glad to see that we as geocachers are not being singled out.

 

I think the concern in watersheds is not so much erosion as people relieving themselves...no one wants that in our drinking water.

Is there a drinking water source up there other than the one belonging to Seattle Water Department? As I understand it, the Seattle source on the Cedar is entirely owned by the city and all access is controlled by the city. I am sure the situation is the same for the Seattle watershed on the Tolt. I don't think this watershed conservation area has anything to do with drinking water supplies. There must be something else going on there.

[+AndrewRJ]

Moun10Bike just posted in FaceBook some potentially bad news. Copying his notes from there (he's a busy guy):

 

"Just got request via Groundspeak from WA DNR to archive caches in Morning Star NRCA. The NRCAs include Mount Si, Tiger Mountain, Mount Pilchuck, Rattlesnake Mountain, Dishman Hills, et al. - some of the prime caching areas here. 16 caches specifically asked to be removed, I just counted 81 total in NRCA areas (posted coordinates only, not looking at child waypoints). This is bad news and precedent!"

 

Hopefully, he (or someone) will fill us in here once more is known.

 

Inquiring minds want to know: Why the sudden request? What's changed?

Ok, here's a bit more intel, thanks to Harriet the Spy (via Facebook):

 

The closure appears to be specific to the Sultan Basin area, which the DNR is closing to ALL recreational uses. It's not geocaching-specific, and virtual earthcaches won't be a solution - DNR apparently doesn't want anybody in there, including hikers.

 

There's been an active thread about this in the NW Hiker's forum since late August: Sultan Basin to be closed to public. The OP contains a lot of useful info.

 

If I parse correctly, this is the Spada Lake and Greider Lakes area, between the Mountain Loop Hwy and Hwy 2, but I'm not sure about that. Perhaps those with better knowledge of the area can provide some insight after reading the thread, including which caches could be affected. And hopefully MTB will let us know the specifics when he has a chance.

 

In short, it also sounds like this is a limited situation of closing a watershed conservation area to all recreational use, not just geocaching, and not a prelude to a broader ban on geocaching in other popular areas (Mt Si, Tiger Mtn, et al).

 

Passing the microphone keyboard to someone else for comment....

Ok this is my comment.

 

What is a watershead conservation area? Is it a drinking water supply? I could understand ATV's and motorcycles, but how much errosion is caused by a hiking trail? It isn't a lot. I cannot imagine that closing an entire basin is the solution, but then I guess I don't really understand the full extent of the problem.

 

Overall, it is a bad thing to have more public land closed to the public, but I am glad to see that we as geocachers are not being singled out.

 

I think the concern in watersheds is not so much erosion as people relieving themselves...no one wants that in our drinking water.

Is there a drinking water source up there other than the one belonging to Seattle Water Department? As I understand it, the Seattle source on the Cedar is entirely owned by the city and all access is controlled by the city. I am sure the situation is the same for the Seattle watershed on the Tolt. I don't think this watershed conservation area has anything to do with drinking water supplies. There must be something else going on there.

Thanks WM for clarifying my thought. I was trying to say that if it was a drinking water supply then I agree with the restrictions... If it is not a drinking water watershead, what are they trying to conserve that a limited number of hikers will disturb?

 

Edit. This is getting a bit off topic from the origional thread about park contacts and geocaching policies. Sorry about that Hydnsek

Edited November 17, 2008 by AndrewRJ

[+runhills]

The Sultan Basin (Spada Reservoir) is the watershed supplying water for the City of Everret.

[+GeoRoo]

I'm not real happy about what's going on in the Sultan Basin. This has been a fav. area of mine for many years to hike and fish. I have several geocaches that will be affected by an outright ban. DNR and Snohomish County PUD share costs and responsibility for this area. Maintenance has been all but nil for many years and it should be a crime that DNR let all the fine recreation sites go to hell.

 

There's some good info. on the NWHikers forum that Hydnsek linked too. Also 3-4 other ongoing posts about what's happening in the Sultan Basin. I'd suggest using the search function on NWHikers. The DNR is turning over the watershed control to the Sno. Cnty PUD. The PUD is in the process of renewing their 50 year license and from what it appears is very cordial with the public and have no intentions of closing down access. All of the Sultan Basin is either Forest Service land or DNR land with some private mining holdings. This is PUBLIC land and DNR or the PUD can not close off access. One of the requirements for the relicenseing stipulates that public access be provided. At the last PUD meeting several weeks ago the PUD is actively seeking input on how to serve the public, so this would be a good time to get some geocaching input.

 

DNR is notorious for doing what they want and have for years closed off access and restricted use. Recently (last month)DNR dug up the roads to the Boulder Lake trailhead and the one to Static Point. Not just closed the road, but dug up the road bed, removed the culverts and made massive huge berms and ditches. Few people want to hike this nitemare, so in a few years the road will get so overgrown that it will be impossible to hike. The fine trail and hike up to Boulder Lk will essentially go away. Greider Lakes trail is next on the list.

 

The original DNR plan was to shut down and decommission all the recreation sites and close down the entire south shore road by 2011. This would all but close off access to 10,000s of acs of PUBLIC land and most of Spada Lake. When a group of NWHikers became involved and more public input was added DNR backed off from their original plan and said they would reconsider and only close 2 miles of the road and decommission 2 of the recreation sites.

 

One of the long range plans are to build a new trail from where ever DNR decides they want to stop tearing roads up and keep access open to the fine hiking trails of Boulder and Grieder Lks. That's IF money is available. That's a big IF. I have some ocean front property in Arizona I want to sell you too!

 

I don't see how DNR can close down geocaching in the Morning Star NCRA and not the others. This would be a huge blow to geocaching and all but cement their image as the ogre of the federal government. If you haven't been up to the Sultan Basin then get up there ASAP. This is too fine an area to let go. Here's a picture of a huge old growth tree that is just a short 1/2 mile walk. One of the few remaining low valley old growth forests left in W.WA. with trees this size. I was going to place a geocache in there years ago. This would make an awesome interpretive trail, but the road is all dug up now and rapidly getting over grown. Bye bye Sultan Basin.

 

Edited November 17, 2008 by GeoRoo

[+Lightning Jeff]

This is PUBLIC land and DNR or the PUD can not close off access. One of the requirements for the relicenseing stipulates that public access be provided.

If only it were true. I read through the entire thread at NWHikers, and honestly can't make a lot of sense of it. It sounds like PUD is willing to maintain some access. However, as some have pointed out over on that board, most municipal water supply watersheds, including Tolt and Chester Morse, are entirely closed to public access. That always struck me as excessively protective, but I have little doubt that public agencies can designate certain publicly-owned lands as off-limits. I wonder if there is something different about the Spada licensing situation, but I kind of doubt it.

I don't see how DNR can close down geocaching in the Morning Star NCRA and not the others. This would be a huge blow to geocaching and all but cement their image as the ogre of the federal government.

DNR is a state agency. Your point is taken, but it does seem like there are special concerns in Morning Star that wouldn't apply anywhere else. I'm not sure the sky is falling. If this does turn out to be statewide, it may be the natural progression, with DNR possibly analogizing NRCAs to national parks, where caches aren't allowed (as opposed to state parks, where they are, barely). If so, that's a bad analogy, and the sky would indeed be falling.

[+The Jester]

...

However, as some have pointed out over on that board, most municipal water supply watersheds, including Tolt and Chester Morse, are entirely closed to public access.

...

This isn't true. On a tour of the watershed (actually a small portion of it) earlier this month, I learned that only 5 cities in the US have completely protected watersheds - Seattle being one of them. Most watersheds have some access.

[+Lightning Jeff]

However, as some have pointed out over on that board, most municipal water supply watersheds, including Tolt and Chester Morse, are entirely closed to public access.

This isn't true. On a tour of the watershed (actually a small portion of it) earlier this month, I learned that only 5 cities in the US have completely protected watersheds - Seattle being one of them. Most watersheds have some access.

I guess I was speaking regionally (and possibly ill-informedly?). But closure does appear to predominate in these parts (including Oregon, e.g. Portland, Corvallis, Ashland according to a quick Google search). Much more to the point, I take it the info you learned on the tour was in connection with a discussion of the merits of aggressively protecting watersheds? Seattle's approach may be overprotective and not strictly necessary, but from an authority standpoint I don't think any municipality will be challenged in regard to limiting access to municipal watersheds. The need for a total closure policy may be debatable but it isn't demonstrably unreasonable.

[+Ockette]

Not quite a park, but I spoke to the manager of Cape Sante Boat Basin (Anacortes, WA) today and he said that geocaches are welcome anywhere in or around the marina. He did note that basin maintenance get into every nook and cranny and said we should clearly mark our caches with what they are and contact information.

[+Ranger Smith]

METRO PARKS TACOMA does not have policies on Geocaching although it is always wise to contact them if a property (other than a park) is in your sites. Call the main switchboard at 253-305-1092. *** Some of the properties are actually under Tacoma Power and could be OFF-LIMITS for Homeland Security reasons.

 

TACOMA POWER / TACOMA POWER PARKS --- No policies on geocaching within the park areas although it is best to contact them to make sure the area is open as there are areas OFF LIMITS around the dam sites and power generation due to Homeland Security reasons....ZERO TOLERANCE!!!! Simply ask, these folks are great to work with and support geocaching. Contact for Tacoma Power is the main switchboard at 253-502-8000...........Tacoma Power Parks is at the individual park. Speak with the Park Manager or Assistant park manager.

[+ironman114]

METRO PARKS TACOMA does not have policies on Geocaching although it is always wise to contact them if a property (other than a park) is in your sites. Call the main switchboard at 253-305-1092. *** Some of the properties are actually under Tacoma Power and could be OFF-LIMITS for Homeland Security reasons.

 

TACOMA POWER / TACOMA POWER PARKS --- No policies on geocaching within the park areas although it is best to contact them to make sure the area is open as there are areas OFF LIMITS around the dam sites and power generation due to Homeland Security reasons....ZERO TOLERANCE!!!! Simply ask, these folks are great to work with and support geocaching. Contact for Tacoma Power is the main switchboard at 253-502-8000...........Tacoma Power Parks is at the individual park. Speak with the Park Manager or Assistant park manager.

 

I have worked as a contractor for Tacoma City Light at several of their Hydro sites. Some have parks nearby. As was stated due to Homeland Security reasons areas around these sites is restricted. contacting the Site manager or his assistant is recommended. All suspicious activity is to be reported even airplane sitings over head.

 

I know of a couple at their hydro sites and have checked them. They are in areas set aside for public use and are not too close to facilities. But beware that walking around with a GPS in your hand may look VERY suspicious. That is why even though I had permission from an assistant manager to place a cache at an observation point I deemed it too close to the dam for geocaching public relations reasons.

 

I know of one that is off site but many of the seekers cut across Tacoma City Light property and pass within security camera view. All hydro sites now have security cameras.

[+Dgwphotos]

Has anyone dealt with Flaming Geyser State Park?

[+hydnsek]

Has anyone dealt with Flaming Geyser State Park?

Yes. I suggest contacting fellow cacher Ranger Smith.

[+hydnsek]

This just in:

 

Washington may close 14 state parks

 

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The state Parks and Recreation Commission may close 14 of the 121 state parks in Washington to save money.

 

A commission spokeswoman told The Olympian it's looking at transferring low-priority parks to local governments or nonprofit groups. One of them is the 105-acre Tolmie State Park near Lacey, which doesn't have a campground and draws mostly local visitors.

 

The list was compiled after several parks were closed in 2002. The commission rated all state parks for their location, scenic views, cultural resources and potential to make money.

 

The spokeswoman, Virginia Painter, says there are no plans to sell parks to developers or commercial interests.

 

The plan will be subject to debate in the Legislature.

 

The headline and story are a little confusing - are they proposing closing or transferring parks? Will be interesting to see the list.

Edited December 31, 2008 by hydnsek

[+Dgwphotos]

This just in:

 

Washington may close 14 state parks

 

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- The state Parks and Recreation Commission may close 14 of the 121 state parks in Washington to save money.

 

A commission spokeswoman told The Olympian it's looking at transferring low-priority parks to local governments or nonprofit groups. One of them is the 105-acre Tolmie State Park near Lacey, which doesn't have a campground and draws mostly local visitors.

 

The list was compiled after several parks were closed in 2002. The commission rated all state parks for their location, scenic views, cultural resources and potential to make money.

 

The spokeswoman, Virginia Painter, says there are no plans to sell parks to developers or commercial interests.

 

The plan will be subject to debate in the Legislature.

 

The headline and story are a little confusing - are they proposing closing or transferring parks? Will be interesting to see the list.

 

The News Tribune

[+Prying Pandora]

Wow, Squilchuck and Nolte are on the mothball list. We had one of our WSGA summer campouts at Squilchuck several years ago. Nolte is home to one of the oldest caches in the state - GC333

Edit: bad grammar

Edited December 31, 2008 by Prying Pandora

[+Ranger Smith]

Contacts for Flaming Geyser State Park would be the new area manager, Jeff Vesselo. He is the area manager for the Green River Gorge area which includes Flaming Geyser State Park, Kanasket-Palmer State Park and Nolte State Park. Great guy!

 

Nolte State Park possibly could be mothballed although this is not new. During times of financial difficulties, it is "normal" for this park to be "closed".

 

Don't get too worked up on the word "closed", these are still public lands and access is/or has been and should always be granted although there will be limited facility maintenance.

 

The best thing that we can do as geocachers is to keep a good relationship going with our park managers and volunteer when needed. CITO'ING a "mothballed " park is even more important as the funding has been removed temporarily for any garbage collection/ litter collection.

[+ironman114]

There is a new contact person for Mt. Saint Helens national Monument.

 

His name is Rod Ludvigsen

Special uses

 

Email: rludvigsen@fs.fed.us

 

Phone 360-449-7844

 

He was kind enough to grant me the privilege of placing a physical container just within the east boundary.

 

He doesn't like ammo cans but prefers see thru lock and locks.

[+hydnsek]

There is a new contact person for Mt. Saint Helens national Monument.

 

His name is Rod Ludvigsen

Special uses

 

Email: rludvigsen@fs.fed.us

 

Phone 360-449-7844

 

He was kind enough to grant me the privilege of placing a physical container just within the east boundary.

 

He doesn't like ammo cans but prefers see thru lock and locks.

Wow! Congrats, ironman, that's great work!

[+Dgwphotos]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

 

What's the story behind the recent archival of three caches?

[+AndrewRJ]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

 

What's the story behind the recent archival of three caches?

They were off trail 30 to 80 feet. *if I remember and have read correctly.

[+hydnsek]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

 

What's the story behind the recent archival of three caches?

They were off trail 30 to 80 feet. *if I remember and have read correctly.

Correctomundo. A new cacher placed one that was 50 ft off trail, using the one we'd been "grandfathering" as precedent. So...time to archive the non-compliant caches. To be fair, I also archived one of my own, which was off-trail more than it shoulda been (I retrieved it today, and was embarrassed at my naivety back when I placed it). And props to Sven & Daisy for immediately archiving their Costume Cache when asked, without protest (it was the grandfathered one).

 

In response to the Tuesday Cougar Cache Massacre (3 dead, 39 survivors), Niki (our Cougar contact) sent me this email: "We are so grateful that you do this for us. The geocaching is such a fun activity for people and I feel much better about the safety of the participants. We still want to find a time to go hike with you to some of the sites." We are in good with King County Parks, and hope to keep it that way!

Edited January 15, 2009 by hydnsek

[+Dgwphotos]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

 

What's the story behind the recent archival of three caches?

They were off trail 30 to 80 feet. *if I remember and have read correctly.

Correctomundo. A new cacher placed one that was 50 ft off trail, using the one we'd been "grandfathering" as precedent. So...time to archive the non-compliant caches. To be fair, I also archived one of my own, which was off-trail more than it shoulda been (I retrieved it today, and was embarrassed at my naivety back when I placed it). And props to Sven & Daisy for immediately archiving their Costume Cache when asked, without protest (it was the grandfathered one).

 

In response to the Tuesday Cougar Cache Massacre (3 dead, 39 survivors), Niki (our Cougar contact) sent me this email: "We are so grateful that you do this for us. The geocaching is such a fun activity for people and I feel much better about the safety of the participants. We still want to find a time to go hike with you to some of the sites." We are in good with King County Parks, and hope to keep it that way!

 

I was just wondering if they had made a specific request or not.

[+Ranger Smith]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

 

What's the story behind the recent archival of three caches?

They were off trail 30 to 80 feet. *if I remember and have read correctly.

Correctomundo. A new cacher placed one that was 50 ft off trail, using the one we'd been "grandfathering" as precedent. So...time to archive the non-compliant caches. To be fair, I also archived one of my own, which was off-trail more than it shoulda been (I retrieved it today, and was embarrassed at my naivety back when I placed it). And props to Sven & Daisy for immediately archiving their Costume Cache when asked, without protest (it was the grandfathered one).

 

In response to the Tuesday Cougar Cache Massacre (3 dead, 39 survivors), Niki (our Cougar contact) sent me this email: "We are so grateful that you do this for us. The geocaching is such a fun activity for people and I feel much better about the safety of the participants. We still want to find a time to go hike with you to some of the sites." We are in good with King County Parks, and hope to keep it that way!

 

I was just wondering if they had made a specific request or not.

 

DITTO: I would also like to know what the status of the request was. Ranger Smith

[+hydnsek]

The one issue they do have is at Cougar Mountain and that is the no brushwacking policy, due to the dangers posed by sinkholes caused by the coal mining, so please keep caches close to the trails.

Yes, Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail. There's one that possibly should be removed, but I've hesitated to play geo-police, because it's been there a while and appears to be in a safe area.

 

What's the story behind the recent archival of three caches?

They were off trail 30 to 80 feet. *if I remember and have read correctly.

Correctomundo. A new cacher placed one that was 50 ft off trail, using the one we'd been "grandfathering" as precedent. So...time to archive the non-compliant caches. To be fair, I also archived one of my own, which was off-trail more than it shoulda been (I retrieved it today, and was embarrassed at my naivety back when I placed it). And props to Sven & Daisy for immediately archiving their Costume Cache when asked, without protest (it was the grandfathered one).

 

In response to the Tuesday Cougar Cache Massacre (3 dead, 39 survivors), Niki (our Cougar contact) sent me this email: "We are so grateful that you do this for us. The geocaching is such a fun activity for people and I feel much better about the safety of the participants. We still want to find a time to go hike with you to some of the sites." We are in good with King County Parks, and hope to keep it that way!

 

I was just wondering if they had made a specific request or not.

 

DITTO: I would also like to know what the status of the request was. Ranger Smith

As previously stated (higher in this quoted section):

Niki McBride, the primary Cougar contact, has asked me to monitor the caches and request removal of any that are significantly off-trail.

So - they did not ask, and should not have to. They have requested that I proactively handle this for them, as a KCP Ambassador and their designated geocaching liaison, so they don't have to track the caches and deal with issues themselves. Cougar's rules about off-trail use and safety issues are quite clear, and posted at all trailheads and on their maps and website. I provide the land managers with regular updates on cache status in the park; thus Niki's thanks (quoted above) on the handling of recent off-trail caches and confirmation that all remaining caches are in compliance.

 

If they ever have to contact us about a problem cache, then I will not be doing the job they asked me to. If I were not a park volunteer, I might be more hesitant to accept this role, but since I am, they consider it part of my contribution as a Cougar Ambassador.

Edited January 17, 2009 by hydnsek

[Team Misguided]

I consider this a perfect example of how we can be pro-active with regards to self-policing. We have a member of our community watching the placements in the area and letting the owners know if there is a potential problem. This gives the owner information about the geocaching policy in that area, which they likely didn't know about previously, and allows them the opportunity to fix it before there are any problems.

 

This goes a long way towards establishing the kind of trusting relationship we need to have with land managers if we want to continue to play our game with out formal policies like we have with the State Parks.

[+Ranger Smith]

I consider this a perfect example of how we can be pro-active with regards to self-policing. We have a member of our community watching the placements in the area and letting the owners know if there is a potential problem. This gives the owner information about the geocaching policy in that area, which they likely didn't know about previously, and allows them the opportunity to fix it before there are any problems.

 

This goes a long way towards establishing the kind of trusting relationship we need to have with land managers if we want to continue to play our game with out formal policies like we have with the State Parks.

 

I think we should all be sending a big KUDOS to HYDNSEK for being there for all of of us when in reality she could simply turn her head and walk away.

Not only a fellow cacher, but a landmanager as well. Ranger Smith

[+hydnsek]

I consider this a perfect example of how we can be pro-active with regards to self-policing. We have a member of our community watching the placements in the area and letting the owners know if there is a potential problem. This gives the owner information about the geocaching policy in that area, which they likely didn't know about previously, and allows them the opportunity to fix it before there are any problems.

 

This goes a long way towards establishing the kind of trusting relationship we need to have with land managers if we want to continue to play our game with out formal policies like we have with the State Parks.

 

I think we should all be sending a big KUDOS to HYDNSEK for being there for all of of us when in reality she could simply turn her head and walk away.

 

Not only a fellow cacher, but a landmanager as well. Ranger Smith

Gosh, thanks.

 

And now I have a mandate from the caching side, as well...last night at the WSGA board meeting, I was voted head of the re-energized Advocacy Committee, which is the part of WSGA that works with the Washington park systems (city, county, state, federal).

 

I'm looking for folks who want to participate on the committee, who either have, or want to build, relationships with our parks, so PM/email me if you can help! We have a couple from Puget Sound area who are interested, but it would be ideal to have committee members from around the state, as there are a lot of great parks on the East Side, the Olympic Peninsula, etc. Thanks!

Edited January 23, 2009 by hydnsek

[+Dgwphotos]

I consider this a perfect example of how we can be pro-active with regards to self-policing. We have a member of our community watching the placements in the area and letting the owners know if there is a potential problem. This gives the owner information about the geocaching policy in that area, which they likely didn't know about previously, and allows them the opportunity to fix it before there are any problems.

 

This goes a long way towards establishing the kind of trusting relationship we need to have with land managers if we want to continue to play our game with out formal policies like we have with the State Parks.

 

I think we should all be sending a big KUDOS to HYDNSEK for being there for all of of us when in reality she could simply turn her head and walk away.

 

Not only a fellow cacher, but a landmanager as well. Ranger Smith

Gosh, thanks.

 

And now I have a mandate from the caching side, as well...last night at the WSGA board meeting, I was voted head of the re-energized Advocacy Committee, which is the part of WSGA that works with the Washington park systems (city, county, state, federal).

 

I'm looking for folks who want to participate on the committee, who either have, or want to build, relationships with our parks, so PM/email me if you can help! We have a couple from Puget Sound area who are interested, but it would be ideal to have committee members from around the state, as there are a lot of great parks on the East Side, the Olympic Peninsula, etc. Thanks!

 

Does one have to be a paying member of the WSGA? I would like to, but I don't have the money right now to join.

[+WRASTRO]

I consider this a perfect example of how we can be pro-active with regards to self-policing. We have a member of our community watching the placements in the area and letting the owners know if there is a potential problem. This gives the owner information about the geocaching policy in that area, which they likely didn't know about previously, and allows them the opportunity to fix it before there are any problems.

 

This goes a long way towards establishing the kind of trusting relationship we need to have with land managers if we want to continue to play our game with out formal policies like we have with the State Parks.

 

I think we should all be sending a big KUDOS to HYDNSEK for being there for all of of us when in reality she could simply turn her head and walk away.

 

Not only a fellow cacher, but a landmanager as well. Ranger Smith

Gosh, thanks.

 

And now I have a mandate from the caching side, as well...last night at the WSGA board meeting, I was voted head of the re-energized Advocacy Committee, which is the part of WSGA that works with the Washington park systems (city, county, state, federal).

 

I'm looking for folks who want to participate on the committee, who either have, or want to build, relationships with our parks, so PM/email me if you can help! We have a couple from Puget Sound area who are interested, but it would be ideal to have committee members from around the state, as there are a lot of great parks on the East Side, the Olympic Peninsula, etc. Thanks!

 

Does one have to be a paying member of the WSGA? I would like to, but I don't have the money right now to join.

I would think someone could find a way to gift the $12 if you are truly interested in helping with this and you must be a member. We could start a Dwoofund!

[+Dgwphotos]

I consider this a perfect example of how we can be pro-active with regards to self-policing. We have a member of our community watching the placements in the area and letting the owners know if there is a potential problem. This gives the owner information about the geocaching policy in that area, which they likely didn't know about previously, and allows them the opportunity to fix it before there are any problems.

 

This goes a long way towards establishing the kind of trusting relationship we need to have with land managers if we want to continue to play our game with out formal policies like we have with the State Parks.

 

I think we should all be sending a big KUDOS to HYDNSEK for being there for all of of us when in reality she could simply turn her head and walk away.

 

Not only a fellow cacher, but a landmanager as well. Ranger Smith

Gosh, thanks.

 

And now I have a mandate from the caching side, as well...last night at the WSGA board meeting, I was voted head of the re-energized Advocacy Committee, which is the part of WSGA that works with the Washington park systems (city, county, state, federal).

 

I'm looking for folks who want to participate on the committee, who either have, or want to build, relationships with our parks, so PM/email me if you can help! We have a couple from Puget Sound area who are interested, but it would be ideal to have committee members from around the state, as there are a lot of great parks on the East Side, the Olympic Peninsula, etc. Thanks!

 

Does one have to be a paying member of the WSGA? I would like to, but I don't have the money right now to join.

I would think someone could find a way to gift the $12 if you are truly interested in helping with this and you must be a member. We could start a Dwoofund!

 

LOL!!!!

[+hydnsek]

And now I have a mandate from the caching side, as well...last night at the WSGA board meeting, I was voted head of the re-energized Advocacy Committee, which is the part of WSGA that works with the Washington park systems (city, county, state, federal).

 

I'm looking for folks who want to participate on the committee, who either have, or want to build, relationships with our parks, so PM/email me if you can help! We have a couple from Puget Sound area who are interested, but it would be ideal to have committee members from around the state, as there are a lot of great parks on the East Side, the Olympic Peninsula, etc. Thanks!

 

Does one have to be a paying member of the WSGA? I would like to, but I don't have the money right now to join.

Yes, to represent WSGA with the parks, I'd prefer you be a member of WSGA. It's a whopping $12/year.

[+Ranger Smith]

And now I have a mandate from the caching side, as well...last night at the WSGA board meeting, I was voted head of the re-energized Advocacy Committee, which is the part of WSGA that works with the Washington park systems (city, county, state, federal).

 

I'm looking for folks who want to participate on the committee, who either have, or want to build, relationships with our parks, so PM/email me if you can help! We have a couple from Puget Sound area who are interested, but it would be ideal to have committee members from around the state, as there are a lot of great parks on the East Side, the Olympic Peninsula, etc. Thanks!

 

Does one have to be a paying member of the WSGA? I would like to, but I don't have the money right now to join.

Yes, to represent WSGA with the parks, I'd prefer you be a member of WSGA. It's a whopping $12/year.

There are alot of parks out there that could be CITO'D of aluminum cans!

[+hydnsek]

There are alot of parks out there that could be CITO'D of aluminum cans!

Why don't you arrange a CITO for one of them? Or talk to Prying Pandora about getting someone to do one for a park in need - she's the new WSGA committee chair for CITO.

[+Dgwphotos]

There are alot of parks out there that could be CITO'D of aluminum cans!

Why don't you arrange a CITO for one of them? Or talk to Prying Pandora about getting someone to do one for a park in need - she's the new WSGA committee chair for CITO.

 

I think he meant that I could collect aluminum cans to earn the money to get a WSGA membership.

[+hydnsek]

On my recent trip to New Mexico, I visited Petroglyph National Monument. I wish all parks had such an enlightened geocaching policy!

 

[+hydnsek]

Some updates and tidbits:

 

1. Update on Discovery Park (which, as you know, banned geocaches in November 2007):

 

Park personnel (staff and volunteers) were most impressed with our beach cleanup effort at the May 16 CITO. We had the largest group for their annual Beach Cleanup, and we worked the longest. Thanks to seattlegeekgrrrlz for organizing, to all those who participated, and to idajo2 for manning our table at the visitor center and answering visitors' questions about geocaching while we were cleaning the beach.

 

We have another Discovery Beach Cleanup CITO on June 20 (thanks, Weightman). I encourage you to attend, as these CITOs appear to be making a difference in Seattle Parks' perception of geocachers. But alas, almost no one has signed up for this CITO!

 

Apparently, other Seattle parks have been considering banning geocaching (likely the "wild" parks). But Weightman, who has a SP contact, reports that after the May Discovery Park CITO (and the earlier one in Carkeek Park), those opposed to caching are coming around to the idea of some kind of permission for hides. He mentioned the state parks permit system, but said we'd rather have an informal, ask-the-ranger type of thing.

 

As WSGA Chapter Rep and Parks Advocacy Chair, I'm trying to arrange a meeting with our Seattle Parks contact to renew the discussion about Discovery and hopefully nip concerns about other parks in the bud. Stay tuned - and another successful CITO could really tip the scale!

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

2. Here's what can happen when we have a good relationship with a park:

 

Yesterday, I got an email from the Cougar Mountain manager, saying they'd found a geocache in a dumpster and were holding it for us to pick up. We assumed it had been vandalized, but turns out that Bukowski had tossed his old Gnat Fest container and replaced it with a spiffy new one. But still great that the park personnel contacted us when they found something.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

3. Finally, here's a testimonial to the potential educational value of geocaches in helping visitors learn about a park's history or natural wonders. (Showing feedback like this to park personnel can help them understand ways that geocaching can be beneficial.)

 

April 24, 2009

 

Last spring I found your Coals of Newcastle, Turntable, and North Creek Falls geocaches, learning tons about the coal-mining history in the Cougar Mountain area along the way. This weekend, I am taking my Girl Scout troop on a hike along those trails, and I am taking your cache descriptions along to teach the girls this history. I know they will find it as interesting as I did. Thanks so much for the education, and I thought you'd like to know that the history is being passed along, thanks in part to your geocaches.

 

Jill K

Team Skittle

Edited June 6, 2009 by hydnsek