Detectorists help make parks and schools safer by performing a service to community safety.
Most people don't realize that the detectorists hunting in the parks and schools are actually helping to make them safer places for all to relax in and enjoy.
Although most things we find are buried, some are just below the surface or just hidden in the grass.
Oregon Treasure Trails members have removed hundreds of lbs of trash from parks during club hunts.
Dangerous Items Found Detecting
Trash from Club Hunt June 2023
Trash from Club Hunt June 2023
Trash from Club Hunt June 2023
The club as a whole picked up 12 pounds of trash from a Portland Park during the club hunt.
Danger Items from Club Hunt
Trash from Club Hunt June 2023
Trash from Club Hunt June 2023
Handheld torch, Tube this joint inside, Box cutter, Razor blade, Syringe with needle
Another Needle Encounter
Trash from Club Hunt June 2023
Another Needle Encounter
Found this at a busy beach on the 4th of July weekend. Not what you want kids to encounter.
Needle
Glass In River
Another Needle Encounter
Found at a Club Hunt at a Park in the Portland Area
Glass In River
Glass In River
Glass In River
This was found at low tide on a river. Can you imagine someone stepping on it?
Broken Glass
Glass In River
Glass In River
Two examples of broken glass bottles found in a park on and at a beach
Throwing Knife
Needle in the Grass
Needle in the Grass
Throwing Knife found at a Public Park which is right next to an Elementary School
Needle in the Grass
Needle in the Grass
Needle in the Grass
Needle found at a local High School by the outdoor lunch area.
Pokie Pig
Needle in the Grass
Multiple Knives
This pig would really hurt even if you were wearing tennis shoes. I bet it would go right through. Found and removed from a local park.
Multiple Knives
Multiple Knives
Multiple Knives
Found in the sand at a beach.
Unfired Bullet
Full Case of 9 mm's
Nasty Rusty Nail
Winchester .45 found at an Elementary School. It was maybe a half inch in the ground, about 20 feet from the play structures.
Nasty Rusty Nail
Full Case of 9 mm's
Nasty Rusty Nail
Rusty nail found in the sand pit at the long jump. Can you imagine falling on this?
Full Case of 9 mm's
Full Case of 9 mm's
Full Case of 9 mm's
Found in the mud at a park on the Columbia River.
Found at a School
Found at a School
Full Case of 9 mm's
School Find
Sharp Glass Shard
Found at a School
Sharp Glass Shard
Portland Park Play area
Needle
Found at a School
Sharp Glass Shard
Found in grass area at Cathedral Park
Play structure bark chips
Portland Park Hazard removed
Play structure bark chips
Removed from new play structure bark chips in a Portland park
Portland Park Find
Portland Park Hazard removed
Play structure bark chips
Found at a Portland City Park
Portland Park Hazard removed
Portland Park Hazard removed
Portland Park Hazard removed
Syringe removed from Portland Park play structure area
Cache of Needles
Rusty Razor Blade
Portland Park Hazard removed
Found near a tree in North Portland park.
Rusty Razor Blade
Rusty Razor Blade
Rusty Razor Blade
Found at a Portland area Elementary school near the playground.
.223 Bullet
Rusty Razor Blade
Rusty Razor Blade
Found at a Portland area Middle School near the outdoor basketball area.
Mace Spray
Broken Knife blades
Broken Knife blades
Mace Spray removed from Portland park
Broken Knife blades
Broken Knife blades
Broken Knife blades
Removed from Portland park
Throwing Knife
Broken Knife blades
Gun shell casings
Removed from Vancouver park sports field
Gun shell casings
Gun shell casings
Gun shell casings
Shell casings removed from Portland park
Crossbow bolt
Gun shell casings
Crossbow bolt
Removed from Vancouver High school sports field
Pocket Knife
Gun shell casings
Crossbow bolt
Removed from Vancouver Elementary School sports field
Sharp items and broken glass removed from Portland area Park
Sometimes we find little treasures, and other times hidden dangers.
Imagine a toddler finding these items in the grass and picking it up to play with. Or maybe just the point is sticking up out of the ground where you just spread your picnic blanket.
No. This is not a prop for some horror movie. This was actually found in a Portland park. Makes you wonder doesn't it?
Lost picnic items are fairly common finds, live ammunition not so much.
Potentially dangerous objects are being removed by detectorists all the time.
So if you see a detectorist nosing through a playground, a school grounds, or picnic areas, they could be there making it safer for you and yours.