Madison City Parks and update on series

[WISearchers]

It seems as though this post is especially timely since the recent posting of Brian’s “Off Limits” places to place a cache.

In working on placing caches for my upcoming series as well as working on making inroads with local land authorities I had been quite successful with the State Park system so I thought I could put my neck out there and try with both the Dane County system and the City of Madison Parks System….

Well, my neck was just about chopped off when I stuck it out there with the county. They were…well, the word reticent is a total understatement. They were not interested in any form of discussion. They had a “policy” and that was it…their current policy is that any geocache would cost $10 per year and an extensive contract was to be signed. Each year the $10 fee was to be renued. eeekk…not the success that I had hoped for. I might have to rethink my gameplan…I have not given up yet…just trying to think of the right thing to do…so for now…I choose to not place a cache in a county park.

I had then turned cautiously to the City of Madison Parks System. They were much more interested in talking. They showed limited knowledge of geocaching, and for that reason they have a current ban on any geocaching in their parks at all. They will not give permission for any geocaches until they have a meeting with me (I suppose it could have been anyone, but I just happened to be the first person to contact them). They asked me to speak at their next board of directors/control meeting (I have a half of an hour)to help them to gain an understanding of what geocaching is. They feel as I do that it is a much better thing to be proactive rather than reactive. My impression was the they are not against geocaching per se, rather they don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. I am a bit nervous, but am also optimistic that our meeting will help to relieve the current ban in Madison.

As for the Conservation Parks, that might be to lofty of a goal at this time…I think that baby steps will go a long way…maybe that will be a goal in the future.

Due to these events, I have to postpone the release of my Monopolize Your Time Series as I will be pulling a few of the caches that I had tentatively placed in County Parks to hopefully place them in City Parks after this meeting.

My dealings here in Madison have been enlightening to say the least…it really puts into perspective all of the work that Brian and others(as approvers) as well as Ken (et al.) have done. We appreciate all that you have done!

Happy caching-
Ms. WISearcher (along with the ultra supportive Mr. WISearcher)

[This message has been edited by WISearchers (edited 01-07-2004).]

[GrouseTales]

I get the impression that Dane County parks are trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. In otherwords, they probably have a permit system in place for other events, and are trying to squeeze geocaching into that format. I’m aware of two cachers that have started the permit process with Dane county this week. So far, they gave me promising reports. Perhaps as geocaching activity increases, they can change their procedures. In emails, Dane County said they had previous problems with caches being placed in conservation areas, and one that contained pornographic materials.

My dealings with City of Madison Parks stated about 3 days after I started my job as an approver, last March. I received an email requesting that several caches be removed from their conservation parks. They indicated that Geocaching activity is not allowed in Conservation parks, and no one has ever asked permission to place a cache in their other city parks. They were aware of several caches in their regular parks, and were going to monitor them for any damage to the park. They also pointed out a cache in a nearby arboretum that should be archived.

I archived the caches per their request, and guaranteed I wouldn’t approve any more caches in Conservation Parks, and regular parks would need the permiters name on the cache page.

I also offered to have the WGA give them a presentation and perhaps take them on a caching trip. I also suggested they place a cache of their own as a test subject. They could then document any changes to the area, before and after the cache. They didn’t take me up on their offer.

I somewhat agree with the Conservation Parks being off limits. These are areas where off-trail hiking is usually not allowed. They should fall under the same guidelines as the DNR’s State Natural areas. Many of these parks have unique plant communties of land features that shouldn’t be trampled on. They are trying to protect these areas by designating them as Conservation Parks.

I applaud Mrs WISearchers for your effort to get permission from the parks. Hopefully with your help, Madison Parks will allow caches. There are probably over 100 parks in Madison, and it’s a shame they are off limits to caching. If there is anything the WGA can do to help out, let me know.

[Mama Fishcacher]

Wow! Way to go Ms. WISearcher!!! When do you go to present at the meeting?

Too bad about the county being such sticklers about the *policy*. But when it comes to the county and *policy*, we are all to familiar with it in this household as papa fishcacher is a county employee. (Not one with any pull regarding parks policy though… Darn it all!)

I would think that either of these *entities* could be very open to the idea once they get to know about it better. I love the idea of taking them along on a caching trip. Maybe a nice warmish, dry, spring day before the bugs break out??? Hee hee. Then we would probably get some newbies to the sport as well!

~mama fishcacher

[skarolek]

Thank you “Ms. WISearcher” for your efforts and everyone else working to further our hobby/sport.

Steve K

[Hotdogs_Off_Trail]

Sounds like you’ve really been busy, and we all wish to thank you for helping set the groundwork for those to follow. When do you go before the Madison board? If you’d like support or help, I’d be happy to be there if I have the date open. Thanks again for all you’re doing.

[bjs539]

The person to talk to at the dane county parks department is Darren Marsh. Taled to him over the phone and he seems like a pretty decent guy. If I understand correctly the permit used to be $20, and they have reduced it to $10, so there may be hope for the future.

-bjs539

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