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.
Found at local Parks and Schools
Items recently found by one of the OTTS Club detectorists. Not something any of us want to find.
Two knives found on 2 different beaches. Both found just under the sand.
Found 2 "live" rounds, 3 shells, and 2 bullets at a Vancouver Middle School
The club as a whole picked up 12 pounds of trash from a Portland Park during the club hunt.
Handheld torch, Tube this joint inside, Box cutter, Razor blade, Syringe with needle
Found this at a busy beach on the 4th of July weekend. Not what you want kids to encounter.
Found at a Club Hunt at a Park in the Portland Area
This was found at low tide on a river. Can you imagine someone stepping on it?
Two examples of broken glass bottles found in a park on and at a beach
Throwing Knife found at a Public Park which is right next to an Elementary School
Needle found at a local High School by the outdoor lunch area.
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.
Found in the sand at a beach.
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Winchester .45 found at an Elementary School. It was maybe a half inch in the ground, about 20 feet from the play structures.
Rusty nail found in the sand pit at the long jump. Can you imagine falling on this?
Found in the mud at a park on the Columbia River.
School Find
Portland Park Play area
Found in grass area at Cathedral Park
Removed from new play structure bark chips in a Portland park
Found at a Portland City Park
Syringe removed from Portland Park play structure area
Found near a tree in North Portland park.
Found at a Portland area Elementary school near the playground.
Found at a Portland area Middle School near the outdoor basketball area.
Mace Spray removed from Portland park
Removed from Portland park
Removed from Vancouver park sports field
Shell casings removed from Portland park
Removed from Vancouver High school sports field
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.