NYC Parks & Recreation does allow metal detecting in a number of parks. You will need to submit an application in order to hunt.
If you do get a permit and hunt in a NYC park, it is important that you respect the park grounds and fill all your holes properly. Remember that you are a representative of the metal detecting community and how you conduct yourself reflects on all of us.
Happy Hunting
Download Metal Detecting Permit Application
http://www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/47/metal-detector-permit-application.pdf
Metal Detecting in NYC
Parks
Metal Detecting activities are restricted to the open areas in the
following parks:
Bronx Parks
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Bronx Park
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Pelham Bay Park
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Claremont Park
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Soundview Park
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Crotona Park
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St. Mary's Park
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Mosholu Parkway *
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Van Cortlandt Park
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Brooklyn Parks
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Canarsie Park
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Sunset Park
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Marine Park
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Prospect Park **
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McCarren Park
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Queens Parks
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Alley Pond Park ***
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Flushing Meadows Corona Park
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Astoria Park
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Forest Park
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Baisley Pond Park
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Francis Lewis Park
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Bowne Park
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Herman MacNeil Park
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Brookville Park****
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Highland Park
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Crocheron Park
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Juniper Valley Park
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Cunningham Park
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Kissena Park *****
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Staten Island
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Silver Lake Park
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Willowbrook Park
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* Metal Detecting (probing or digging) along Mosholu Parkway
may not be within 25 feet of the roadway.
** Metal Detecting in Prospect Park permitted Saturdays and
Sundays only
*** Metal Detecting in Alley Pond Park permitted in Zone 4
only (excluding the Adventure Course area)
View Map
**** Metal Detecting in Zone 1 only View Map (NOTE: There is a problem on the NYC Parks website and map will not load)
***** Metal Detecting in Kissena Park permitted in Zones 5
& 6 (with the exception of the Wildflower Garden in Zone 5)
View Map
Metal Detecting on
Beaches
Metal Detecting activities are restricted to the open sandy
areas, under boardwalks unless otherwise stated, and seaward of any structures
or vegetation at the following beaches:
Bronx
Orchard Beach
Brooklyn
Manhattan Beach
Coney Island (no metal detecting under boardwalk from beach
and street sides)
Brighton Beach (no metal detecting under boardwalk from
beach and street sides)
Queens
Rockaway Beach
Staten Island
South and Midland Beaches (sand area only)
Wolfe’s Pond Beach (swimming area only)
New Dorp Park Beach (sand area only)
Oakwood Beach (sand area only)
Rules and Regulations for Metal Detecting Activities
Definitions:
·
“Recent Coins” shall mean coins still in common
circulation and/or of a value of less than $25 (“Nominal Value”).
·
“Significant Object(s)” shall mean any object of
a historical, paleontological, or archaeological nature, or any coin or object
whose value significantly exceeds its face value. A Recent Coin is not a
Significant Object.
·
“Officer” shall collectively mean any officer
from the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) and/or Parks Enforcement
Patrol (“PEP”) Division.
·
“Native Vegetation Area” shall mean any area
where any species of native (i.e., North American) plants are naturally growing
and reproducing. Lawn areas are not native plant areas.
·
“Ball-fields” shall mean areas designated for
athletic activities including but not limited to baseball, softball, soccer,
football, cricket fields and bleacher/dugout areas etc.
·
“Woodlands” shall mean land with dense coverage
of trees, shrubs or bushes.
Permit Conditions
Metal Detecting activity on Parks’ property requires a valid
permit from Parks.
All recovered Significant Objects must be reported to the
Urban Park Service (212) 360-2778 within 48 hours of finding. Applicant shall
submit a photo of the Significant Object to Parks upon request. Parks will
determine whether to retain title and possession of the recovered Significant
Object(s).
Every reasonable effort will be made by the Agency to
publicly display all such recovered Significant Objects retained by the Agency
on an annual basis. Such displays shall include appropriate acknowledgements
regarding Applicant’s involvement.
Any identifiable property found by Applicant (such as
jewelry or other tangible items) must be turned over to Parks for delivery to
the local NYPD precinct where applicable procedures will be followed. NYPD will
provide Parks with a receipt and hold the object(s) for a determined period of
time while Applicant assists NYPD in locating a proper owner of the lost
property.
Applicant shall show all found objects in his/her possession
to any Officer upon request.
Applicant shall use hand tools that can be used by one
hand only for Metal Detecting. Hand tools shall be limited to 4 inches wide and
12 inches long.
Applicant shall restore any disturbed area to its
original condition by removing all evidence of digging and/or probing. All
trash, litter or other debris uncovered must be removed and placed in an
approved trash receptacle.
Probing or digging is strictly prohibited within 25 feet or
the drip line of the tree, whichever is greater, and in the following areas:
Ball-fields, manicured lawns, newly seeded lawns, flower bed/gardens,
Woodlands, Native Vegetation Areas, or any other area restricted by signage.
Applicant shall comply with any directives to move or cease
their actions by any Parks or City official.
