Geocaching Permits In Dayton Oh

[wildergeek 0]

At least a year ago, caches placed in MetroParks in Dayton OH started disappearing. Turns out, they were being confiscated by the park staff, citing environmental impact.

 

The Metroparks now has a permit system wherein geocachers must apply for a limited-availability permit and the cache location has to be approved by park staff. Whether they actually field check the location is unknown.

 

Before the policy went into effect, I wrote a critical letter to Mary Klunk, the parks' land steward, explaining to her that the policy, if enforced, would effectively kill geocaching in the Five River Metroparks. The permit process, as documented, is far too much of a hassle compared to the process in neighboring Greene Co.

 

I am curious if anyone reading has placed a cache in a Dayton-area Metropark recently, and if you did, is your cache legal or an outlaw? If legal, how did the permitting process work for you? Did you have to pick a location, fill out a permit and wait a period of time to place the cache, or did you just have to flag down a passing ranger and ask them for permission?

 

I guess I understand the purpose of the regulation. Badly placed caches WERE causing erosion but the regulation could simply read "Caches that encourage off-trail hiking that causes erosion will be removed without notice."

 

If I was a low-paid Metropark employee, I would think geocache patrol would be one of the more enjoyable duties.

 

Just curious how other Dayton geocachers feel about the Dayton Metropark policy.

[+Swagr 0]

I've placed a cache in the Metro-Parks, going through the correct proceedures. The longest part of setting the cache out was waiting for my stickers from GEO Cache. I called the land stewart, set a date to meet and give cordinates of the cache and signed the documents. I will need to apply for another permit next year and if erosion occurs they would like the cache moved to a different spot in the park. Nothing wrong with that.

[kascinoh 0]

Interesting...I can see MetroParks thoughts on the matter, as for the uninitiated, Geocaching can seem somewhat of an unknown quantity. I had this happen to me when I brought to the attention of the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District (Greene County) a cache I wanted to place in a park in Bellbrook ("Casper's Hideout"). The reply I first received from the parks director was lukewarm at best: "... I know we have geocachers in our parks, I just don't know who they are...". Hmmm. So, I formatted up a very polite letter describing the hobby, and what it's all about, and crossed my fingers. A week later, I had a "Geocache Placement Approval Request Form". Filled it out and a week later got a positive response! A follow-up phone call from the park director told me I was going to be the "guinea pig" for their new Geocaching resolution and requirements, so I made extra effort to help pave this path for others. As long as you are polite, display the sport in a positive light, I can't see where you'll go wrong. If anyone needs info on the cache approval process for the Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Park District (covers Belbrook City and all of Sugarcreek Twp.) you can email me: kascinoh@earthlink.net

[+RichardMoore 1]

The permit process, as documented, is far too much of a hassle compared to the process in neighboring Greene Co.

......

If legal, how did the permitting process work for you? Did you have to pick a location, fill out a permit and wait a period of time to place the cache, or did you just have to flag down a passing ranger and ask them for permission?

Your post states that it is too much of a hassle, but then in the next paragraph you don't seem to know what is involved in obtaining a permit.

What exactly is the procedure that you must go through to place a cache?

 

I understand that it would be nice to not have to get a permit, but it seems like the park system's alternative is to just ban geocaching completely.

 

As for simply having a regulation that states "Caches that encourage off-trail hiking that causes erosion will be removed without notice", what happens when a cache is removed from its location but not the website? And where would you post that regulation so everyone sees it?

[BVCY Swim 0]

Below are the requirements for placing caches in the Dayton-Xenia area ... I was instrumental in working with Greene County and Mt. Saint John in getting them to allow caching. Additional information (application forms, etc) can be found HERE

 

Dayton Five Rivers MetroParks' Facilities

Dayton MetroParks

 

Public property. They ask that all park rules are followed when searching for a cache, especially staying on official park trails. MetroParks will issue a limited number of permits for the placement of these caches. Contact Mary Klunk, Land Stewardship Specialist, by phone (937) 696-3073 or e-mail, mklunk@metroparks.org. They even have a geocaching link on their homepage now!

 

Placing a Geocache in Greene County Parks

Greene County Parks

 

Public property. Greene County Parks will issue a limited number of permits for placement of geocaches. Contact Cris Barnett at The Narrows Reserve on Indian Ripple Rd. in Beavercreek at 937-429-9540 or 937-562-7469 or cbarnett@co.greene.oh.us for more information.

 

Placing a Geocache in the Mt. Saint John (MSJ) Marianist Environmental

Educational Center (MEEC)

Mt. Saint John

 

Private property. MEEC will approve a limited number of geocache placements. Contact Dr. Leanne Jablonski, MEEC Director, Saint Joseph Hall, 4435 East Patterson Rd. in Beavercreek at 937-429-3582 or jablonski@udayton.edu for more information. They currently have no approval form process and rely on the Land Steward to hike-out with you to approve your placement. Very nice folks. (see Cherry Praire cache, GCG84F)

Edited May 29, 2004 by BVCY Swim

[+RichardMoore 1]

Dayton Five Rivers MetroParks' Facilities

Dayton MetroParks

 

Public property. They ask that all park rules are followed when searching for a cache, especially staying on official park trails. MetroParks will issue a limited number of permits for the placement of these caches. Contact Mary Klunk, Land Stewardship Specialist, by phone (937) 696-3073 or e-mail, mklunk@metroparks.org. They even have a geocaching link on their homepage now!

Considering the other rules and regulations for the Dayton Five Rivers park system, the rules for placing a cache seem to be very lenient.

Nothing that they have listed on the application is excessive. It seems to be pretty standard "We want to check the spot before you place a cache, and if a problem develops later we have the right to remove it."

How many caches are now in the DFR?

[BVCY Swim 0]

Not sure how many, but think there may be four with permits.

 

Cheers ... BVCY Swim

[BVCY Swim 0]

Just did a "look-see" for caches with permits in the Dayton-Xenia area:

 

Dayton MetroParks ...

Carriage Hill

The Biscotti

Tadless

South Park Cache

Hillside Haven

Pink Cedars

Recycled Ove the Edge (My old cache box re-used)

 

Greene County ...

Bike, Books, and Boulders

[wildergeek 0]

Your post states that it is too much of a hassle, but then in the next paragraph you don't seem to know what is involved in obtaining a permit.

What exactly is the procedure that you must go through to place a cache?

As I understand it, you have to make an appointment with park staff and they'll meet you at the park. That's what I was told by Mary. Perhaps they have relaxed this a bit.

 

I don't know about you guys but I work for a living. Between work and taking care of two kids under 6, free time is a luxury. Geocaching is something I get to do when I get a rare free hour or two.

 

I would love to place a cache or two in the metro parks but I just don't have time to meet with park staff.

 

For now, I think I'll stick to woodsy city parks in and around Kettering and Centerville. They have fewer regulations.

[+JamesRUs 0]

Sorry to revive an old post, but almost 10 years later and geocaching in the MetroParks is still going strong! As a matter of fact, we just received our first permit to place a cache at the Woodman Fen!! All communication was handled over the phone and through e-mail with the liaison who handles all geocaching hide requests.

 

http://www.metroparks.org/GetOutSide/documents/GeoCache_policy.pdf

 

IYF