New to Tnet + Chicago Parks Question

[p2c]

Hi all,
I've been lurking for a several months, thought I should say hi. I only have been detecting since mid-march, but have enjoyed it. Found 1 gold ring (only 10k), 4 wheat (1913 oldest), and tons of clad. I am looking forward to hitting my first silver at some point.

I know that Cook County forest preserves currently don't allow digging. I am curious about Chicago Parks and if they care. Since I work in Hyde Park, I am close to Washington Park, Jackson Park, the Midway, and Promontory point. Am I free to swing there or not. I have gotten really good at making small plugs that aren't noticeable once I fold them back in, so I don't leave a mess.
Also I live in the South 'burbs.

-Jon

 

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[d-dub]

Hi Jon. Welcome to Tnet. I was just at Washington park on Monday. Can't speak for all the Chicago parks but we were swinging with the Police chillin just 50 yards away. We met up with another detectorist that said him and his club hunt the parks all the time so I would say that it is safe to say that it is OK. I am sure that the others here will chime in if I am wrong in that assumption.

Good luck on the silver quest. I have yet to pull any out but feel I am getting close.

 

[Lowbatts]

Dig neat, dig nice and it's all good!
Welcome and happy hunting!

 

[Brett]

Since I work in Hyde Park, I am close to Washington Park, Jackson Park, the Midway, and Promontory point. Am I free to swing there or not.

You are all clear to dig there. Been there many times with a shovel digging super clean and super neat monster deep holes and never had a problem with the police. Just be careful of your surroundings there... that's not a great neighborhood at all. Always bring a friend, or three. There are guys on this forum who have run into a scuffle with some locals there before, so it can (and most likely will) happen. I always carry at least one of the following items with me: pepper spray, switchblade, nun chucks, throwing knives, stungun, cuff-gun, knife-shoes, or my poison-tipped blowdart harmonica. A cell phone doesn't hurt either. Oh, and don't dig out in the fields during the summer or you may get your ass kicked by the cricket players ;-)

Welcome to TNET Jon! I look forward to meeting up with you one of these days. I'm actually trying to go down that way on Saturday if the weather complies.

 

[makton]

P2C,
Chicago parks are fine. I spent 8 hours at Washington Park on Saturday and the police are actually a welcome site.
I would always hunt with a buddy though.

CCFP are fine to hunt but stay away from Will Cty preserves.
I belong to a club in Joliet that goes on two group hunts a month. In fact, they are doing Washington Park in a few weeks if you are interested in coming out as a guest to check it out. We also have permission to hunt the Will Cty preserves picnic areas but you have to be a member and have the proper id with you while hunting.

Shoot me a PM if you need a partner. We are practically neighbors - New Lenox.

Makton

 

[twistidd]

You're good to go in Chi park district, just be neat. Be careful in Washington Park. I've lived in the city my whole life and I consider myself fairly street smart, but I wouldn't hunt there alone. But that's just me.

The CCFP is cool to hunt, just don't go in with big shovels digging big holes, that's what they don't want you to do. Most of the time, the CCFP cops are interested in what we find and wave as they drive off. MOST of the time. Show them all the trash you removed from the woods, adds to your credentials and makes us all look good.

Good luck! I hope to run into you one of these days.

Joe

 

[p2c]

Thanks all!
I hope to run to you all sometime. Thanks for the info about CPD and CCFPD!
-Jon