06-12-2013 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

• • Park Board Meeting — August 6, 2012 Minutes Anoka County has certain rules /restrictions in place including: • All caches must be approved and registered by the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department. Unregistered caches will be removed. • Caches must not be buried and must be accessible from a standing position. • Caches must be placed at least 1/4 mile apart. • Caches must be located within the designated geocaching park areas at Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, Riverfront Regional Park, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Bunker Hills Regional Park, Rum River Central Regional Park, and Lake George Regional Park. • Caches are not allowed in picnic areas, play areas, golf course, water park, beaches, or campgrounds. If the City Council wishes to formalize a geocaching program throughout our parks system, I recommend that city staff determine suitable locations for placement of the caches, rather than Anoka County's model of permitting geocachers the ability to place their own caches. Most of our neighborhood parks are relatively small and are developed for activities geared specifically for neighborhood use. Inviting explorers to search for caches in "natural" areas near resident's backyards may create some anxiety /conflict. Two Options: 1. Keep status quo. With Anoka County offering an established geocaching program within the 5,500 acre Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Parks Reserve, area residents already have a wonderful opportunity to experience this activity. In addition, the www.geocaching.com website currently identifies 60 caches within two miles of the 55014 area code. Staff can incorporate geocaching information on the City's website referring interested residents to Anoka County's website and www.geocaching.com. 2. City formalizes geocaching program. Staff identifies suitable locations throughout our parks and trails system. We would inform local geocachers that all existing caches located on city property must be removed. We may seek assistance with local geocachers to determine suitable locations, place the caches, acquire accurate coordinates, address ongoing maintenance, etc. Staff would need to create /maintain a registry on the City's website. Requested Council Direction Does the City Council wish to direct staff to develop our own geocache program? If so, we will begin implementing a geocache program immediate 2