Metal detecting to become illegal in city parks

Digging for buried treasure in City of Lawton parks will get you in trouble, starting next month.

City Council members voted Tuesday to prohibit metal detecting and digging in city-owned parks, action city staff recommended to prevent safety hazards (such as holes) from being left by those digging after their metal detectors alert on something underground. The revised ordinance specifies metal detecting and digging are “strictly prohibited,” with violations punishable by fines not to exceed $100. The ordinance, which goes into effect in 30 days, excludes work authorized by the city or utility work within city easements.

Ward 8 Councilman Randy Warren, who initiated the item, said multiple people have contacted him about problems created by those doing metal detecting then digging holes to find whatever the equipment alerts on.

“They’re stepping into holes being created in city parks,” Warren said of concerns about people being injured.

Warren said he is concerned that people digging for such treasures may encounter one of the numerous electrical lines that are underground, as well as the growing number of fiber optic lines placed by internet providers.

“We need to make sure no harm comes to citizens on our park property,” he said.

He isn’t the only one concerned.

At its March 5 meeting, members of the Parks and Recreation Commission asked about banning metal detecting in city parks, or at least expanding an existing ordinance that specifies no digging or defacing is allowed on park property.

That board was reacting to a letter from a resident near Hunter Hills Park in northwest Lawton, who was citing the concerns after she saw a man in February who was digging holes in that park after locating something with a metal detector. Cindy McIntyre said the man was not refilling the holes, and when a police officer challenged him, the man denied he was doing anything wrong. In her letter, McIntyre said the practice is “unsightly, disturbs the vegetation and is a tripping hazard.”

Parks and Recreation Commission members, noting there are regulations in city code guiding activities in city parks, suggested a solution might be placing a QR code on park signs, directing residents to city codes that specify what activities can and cannot be done in parks.