Geocaching Now Available within Kent County Parks

What is geocaching? Geocaching (pronounced “geocashing”) is a family-friendly activity that uses a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to locate a “cache” hidden somewhere within the Kent County Parks. The cache is located by using coordinates, clues, and way finding points. The coordinates are entered into the GPS unit, which usually brings you to a starting point, such as a parking lot or trail head, then by following clues, way finding points or simply the GPS coordinates participants can locate the Geocache. The “cache” is a container filled with trinkets, a logbook, coupons and more, often in a game format. The cache container can be anywhere from the size of a film canister to the size of a large Tupperware container, it can be camouflaged, discreetly hidden, or in plain sight.

How do I get started? First, please read the Kent County Parks Department Geocache Placement and Seeking Guidelines, and then visit www.geocaching.com to sign up and start seeking.

More information about geocaching can be found at www.geocaching.com as well as www.mi-geocaching.org, Michigan’s local geocaching organization.

As Geocaching grows within the Kent County Parks Department, look back here for news, events, and activities including park operating hours, and rules and regulations to follow when visiting a Park.

Kent County Parks Department Geocache Placement & Seeking Guidelines

General Information

Participants must comply with all Geocaching and Michigan Geocaching Organization Guidelines. Visit www.geocaching.com and www.mi-geocaching.org to review guidelines.

Participants must comply with all general Kent County Parks Department Rules and Regulations. These rules and regulations are posted at all parks, may also be obtained at the Park office.

Kent County Parks Department reserves the right to remove any cache that has not been approved, not been relocated after one season/year, or is not in compliance with placement guidelines.

Remember to “Cache In, Trash Out”!

Kent County Parks Department Seeking Guidelines

1. Participants must adhere to Geocaching.com guidelines for seeking.
2. When seeking a cache, please do not disturb the surrounding environment in any way. This includes digging holes or cutting vegetation.
3. Caches must be placed within 20 feet of either side of an existing trail.
4. Respect the existing trails and DO NOT create any new trails.

Kent County Parks Department Placement Guidelines

1. To place a cache in any Kent County Park, participants must adhere to geocaching.com guidelines for placement and the following steps:
   

   Step #1:	Obtain permission from a Park Manager or Park Office staff for location of the cache.
   Step #2:	Affix a MiGO sticker to the cache, identifying it as a cache. Stickers can be obtained through the Kent County Parks Department or www.mi-geocaching.org.
   Step #3:	Register your cache on Geocaching.com and have it approved.
   Step #4:	Maintain the cache.

2. When placing a cache, please visit the Kent County Parks Department website for park hours and seasonal operation.
3. DO NOT place a cache on or near a picnic shelter, picnic table, grill, or campground site.
4. Weapons, and any substances or things that are illegal, hazardous, alcoholic, inflammable, threatening, sexually explicit, profane, discriminatory, or gambling-related are not allowed in any cache.
5. When placing a cache, do not disturb the surrounding environment in any way. This includes digging holes, cutting vegetation and attaching the cache to live trees.
6. Respect the existing trails and DO NOT create any new trails.
7. Place the cache in a safe area. Think about safety of people who will be looking for your cache.
8. After one year (or one park season), the cache should either be removed or relocated at least 500 feet from the previous location. Please refer to rule #1 when relocating.

Thank you for participating!

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