-----Original Message-----
From: Bob & Linda Smith <
lrsmith@cableone.net>
To: listserv <
listserv@azgeocaching.com>
Sent: Sat, Apr 16, 2011 7:12 am
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Tucson Mountain Park
Scott,
THANK YOU very much for taking this very sensible and logical
approach. Also for your personal efforts to keep GeoCaching an
important part of the Park.
Bob Smith, Team Petite Elite, Prescott, AZ
On 4/15/2011 10:24 PM, TeamShack wrote:
Friends,
It recently came to my attention that Pima County Parks and
Recreation has put a ban on caches within the boundries of
the Tucson Mountain Park. I’ve never been one to sit by and
have things like this go by without finding out the source
of the problem so I sent off a letter which follows.
Hello,
My name is Scott and I have been GeoCaching for eight
years now. I was recently told that GeoCaching is not
allowed in the Tucson Mountain Park and am writing to find
out why this is the case.
One of the largest reasons I like to GeoCache is that it
gives me the opportunity to visit areas that I would
otherwise have never seen. GeoCaching has taken me to
many spots with breath taking views, natural beauty, and
sites of historical significance. For me, caching is a
family event. Every time we go caching, it gets the
kids away from video games, and me some much needed
exercise. Geocachers are very active in a practice we
call CITO or Cache In Trash Out. It seems that
everywhere you go these days, you will find the trash of
others tossed on the ground. We hike in to the cache,
and pick up trash as we hike back out.
Another aspect of GeoCaching is that we strive to make
as little impact on the environment as we can. Follow
established trails, don’t disturb wildlife or plant life.
With values such as this, it is difficult to understand
why we are being denied the use of these public lands
while others are allowed. I would like to know the
reasoning behind the ban on GeoCaching in the Tucson
Mountain Park, and would request that this limitation be
reviewed and removed.
I got a reply right away and you can read it for yourself.
Because of past cases of resource damage and safety
concerns, Geocaching has never been formally allowed in
Pima County Parks. We have only aggressively enforced
this prohibition where we find caches that have been
located in places that are, or may potentially, damage
park resources, create new undesignated trails or create
safety issues accessing the cache. The Geocaching
community has not approached us at Tucson Mountain Park
with Geocache site location requests in past.
We are looking at revising Park Rules and are
considering a new Rule specific to Geocaching that would
only allow it to occur if cache locations are approved
by NRPR prior to placement.
When done responsibly and with knowledge/permission of
the land owner, Geocaching can be a legitimate activity
on park lands. Most Geocachers do have a strong land
ethic, unfortunately, not all do. As is often the
unfortunate case, public agencies must regulate for the
irresponsible user and not the responsible one.
I hope this explains our position
Kerry Baldwin
Natural Resource Division Manager
Once again, I replied to Mr. Baldwin right away with the
following...
Mr. Baldwin,
Thank you for the prompt reply. I agree with you that not
all Geocachers have the strong land ethic, but that can
also be said of other land users unfortunately. We have
rules on where caches can and cannot be placed, and one or
two individuals in each state that are responsible for
approving cache locations to ensure that natural resources
are preserved and safety standards are followed. It would
be very easy to have those reviewers ensure that the cache
locations have been approved by NRPR prior to being
approved and published on the GeoCaching web site.
I would be more than happy to help facilitate the approval
or removal of current cache locations in all Pima County
Parks as well as work with you to ensure that all future
locations are approved prior to being placed if you do
indeed revise the Park Rules specific to GeoCaching.
I provided my contact information to Mr. Baldwin and he
called me within about two hours of me sending the email.
He took me up on the offer and will be inviting me to
present at the next meeting where the rules are being
discussed for revision.
Rather than mounting an army and trying to corner them on
this one, lets try to open up caching by being responsible
concerned advocates. I will continue to keep the community
updated on this issue and would appreciate comments,
suggestions that anyone may have.
Scott of TeamShack
____________________________________________________________
Az-Geocaching mailing list
listserv@azgeocaching.com
To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
Arizona's Geocaching Resource
http://www.azgeocaching.com
____________________________________________________________
Az-Geocaching mailing list
listserv@azgeocaching.com
To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
Arizona's Geocaching Resource
http://www.azgeocaching.com
Awesome Letter and contact. From one of the old geocachers....Thank
You.
____________________________________________________________
Az-Geocaching mailing list
listserv@azgeocaching.com
To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit:
http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching
Arizona's Geocaching Resource
http://www.azgeocaching.com