Official Geocaching Policy - Delaware State Parks

[+NappingBears]

At long last, we have an official geocaching policy for Delaware State Parks, which I've posted below. The policy was developed by in-house staff, myself included, based on research into how other state park systems are handling it. We also asked for input from experienced Delaware geocachers and one of the Mid-Atlantic approvers from Geocaching.com. I hope we've achieved a balance between what is needed to protect our beautiful state parks while allowing geocachers to continue to have a great time in the parks.

 

The policy was approved by our managers and Division Director, and has been sent out to all state park superintendents. Of course, we still have more to be done. We're still developing and printing the application forms, cache stickers and maps that are referred to in the policy; those will be available shortly. I'll post a notice here as soon as they're available. Some superintendents may feel comfortable in allowing cache placements now that we have an official policy. Please don't argue with them about it if they want to wait until we have everything ready!

 

Please keep in mind that we will probably revisit this policy in the future to see what is and isn't working. Most geocachers who worked with us expressed concern over the 1-year approval period for a cache placement -- the superintendents may eventually find that that's not necessary and want to change it, or they may decide it needs to stay that way. Much of the policy is simply a reiteration of what cachers already know -- tread lightly, and take care of your cache -- but it's been translated into bureaucratese and gives park staff a mechanism that lets them know where the caches are and who placed them.

 

The wheels of government turn slowly, but they DO eventually turn. The hard part is over. Thanks to all of you for your patience, hold on a little longer for forms, stickers and maps, and happy caching! Please let me know if you have comments or concerns -- I want to make sure that we have a policy that works for everybody.

 

Chris at DE State Parks

NappingBears at Geocaching.com

 

Division of Parks and Recreation

 

POLICY DIRECTIVE # D-65

 

The mission of the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation is to provide Delaware's residents and visitors with safe and enjoyable recreational opportunities and open spaces, responsible stewardship of the lands and the cultural and natural resources that we have been entrusted to protect and manage, and resource-based interpretive and educational services. The policy outlined herein establishes procedures to permit and control geocaching and letterboxing activities in Delaware’s state parks to ensure that they do not conflict with these principles or with State Park rules and regulations.

 

Geocaching Policy

 

1. Individuals wishing to place caches or letterboxes on state parklands must first obtain a permit for each geocache or letterbox they wish to place. Permits are obtained by submitting a completed Geocaching Permit Application Form to the office of the park in which the geocache(s) or letterbox(es) will be placed.

 

2. The Park Superintendent, or a staff member designated by the Superintendent, is responsible for reviewing the application form and approving or denying the permit request.

 

3. Any proposed location is subject to inspection and approval by Delaware State Parks staff before permission to place a geocache or letterbox is granted.

 

4. Geocaches and letterboxes may not be placed in areas marked as off-limits on Delaware State Parks maps, nor may they be placed in any area designated as a protected area. This includes nature preserves and sites of historical or cultural significance that may or may not be marked as such on park maps.

 

5. A permit is valid for a period of one year from the date of issue. Upon expiration of the one-year permit, the geocache or letterbox must be either re-permitted or removed.

 

6. Each approved geocache or letterbox must bear an official “Approved by Delaware State Parks” sticker, available at the park office upon approval of the geocache or letterbox permit.

 

7. Geocache and letterbox contents must be suitable for all ages. Food, alcohol, tobacco, weapons or other dangerous items, prescription or illicit drugs as defined in Park Regulation 23.5, and adult items may not be placed in the cache.

 

8. In accordance with Section 19.0 (“Property Violations”) of the Rules and Regulations of the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, hiding a geocache or letterbox must involve no disturbance of the environment or of existing structures.

 

9. Geocaches and letterboxes must be placed in such as manner as to allow multiple ways to arrive at the geocache or letterbox, thus preventing the creation of spur or “social” trails.

 

10. Online geocache and letterbox descriptions, such as those on geocaching.com or letterboxing.org, must include park entry fee information and the official “Approved by Delaware State Parks” graphic. Information about access during hunting seasons and a link to Delaware State Parks hunting information must be provided if appropriate. Cache descriptions may not include information about how to enter the park without paying the entry fee. Refer to Section 25.0 (“Rates, Fees and Charges”) of the Park Rules and Regulations.

 

11. The cache or letterbox owner must make periodic maintenance checks on the cache or letterbox. Any cache or letterbox showing evidence of environmental damage, such as an unauthorized trail leading to it or a new clearing around it, must be moved or removed, or it will be removed by park staff. If the cache or letterbox is moved, the new location must be re-permitted.

 

12. Unauthorized caches and letterboxes, and those geocaches and letterboxes violating this policy or Division Rules and Regulations, will be removed, and owners may be subject to enforcement actions per Parks regulations.

[+briansnat]

Very good policy. One of the best I've seen. Interesting how they came up with the exact opposite of NY in one case:

 

9. Geocaches and letterboxes must be placed in such as manner as to allow multiple ways to arrive at the geocache or letterbox, thus preventing the creation of spur or “social” trails.

VS.

The cache should be accessable from existing trails and no more than 20 feet fromthe trai (unless otherwise approved).

[+Brianslost]

WooHoo! Good job Chris for keeping up with all of this. And for keeping us up to date.

[+ski]

Are existing caches in Delaware State Parks Grandfathered, or do they have to be removed and resubmitted?

[+NappingBears]

Interesting how they came up with the exact opposite of NY in one case:

 

9. Geocaches and letterboxes must be placed in such as manner as to allow multiple ways to arrive at the geocache or letterbox, thus preventing the creation of spur or “social” trails.

VS.

The cache should be accessable from existing trails and no more than 20 feet fromthe trai (unless otherwise approved).

We had quite a bit of discussion over whether caches should be placed just off of trails or further out. Several committee members, including myself, had seen spur trails develop at caches placed close to existing trails, and we eventually agreed that a cache that allowed people multiple ways in would be less likely to develop a social trail. Makes sense if you think about it.

[+NappingBears]

Are existing caches in Delaware State Parks Grandfathered, or do they have to be removed and resubmitted?

Existing caches will need to permitted and stickered once we get the materials in, but they shouldn't have to be moved unless they're in a protected location or if the area surrounding them is damaged.

[+ski]

Existing caches will need to permitted and stickered once we get the materials in, but they shouldn't have to be moved unless they're in a protected location or if the area surrounding them is damaged.

Thank you for your quick response NappingBears.

I have one cache over in Fort Dupont and I will monitor this thread for any new information.

 

Ski...

[+edscott]

Well done. Although most of my caching is done in Pennsylvania, I have enjoyed working on the extensive collection of great caches in and around the White Clay Creek area.