Ottawa County creates rules on use of metal detectors in parks

Mon, May 12, 2008    to del.icio.us

Those searching for hidden treasures will have to follow the rules if they visit Ottawa County parks this year.

Metal detectors were previously unregulated, but the county parks department recently introduced a policy to address the devices.

Residents can use the detectors in the beach areas of parks only. The devices will be prohibited in other parts of parks, according to the document.

There have been no complaints about detectors, but county park officials say they want to prevent any disruptions in the sensitive vegetation areas of parks.

"You have to dig and we don't want everything dug up on our grounds," said County Parks Director John Scholtz. "Basically, the Lake Macatawa beach and the Lake Michigan beaches are the only two areas open for metal detecting."

Holes created during the act of metal detecting must be filled in, the policy states.

Scholtz said the parks department may give written permission to people who want to use metal detectors for unique sites in other parts of parks.

Ottawa County's policy mirrors the rules at Holland State Park in Park Township. Visitors there are allowed to use metal detectors on the beach. They find things like jewelry, pennies and pop tops, said Holland State Park Supervisor Joyce Rhodes.

"They pick up a lot of garbage for us," she said.

Often metal-detector enthusiasts submit the items to lost and found so other visitors can reclaim their missing items, Rhodes said.

Allowing metal detectors helps the park attract more than just one type of crowd.

"State parks are here for a lot of different types of recreational opportunities," Rhodes said.