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Rules for Geocaching

RULES FOR GEOCACHING/LETTERBOXING IN THE PARKS

  • Do not hike off trail. All geocaches/letterboxes are to be placed close to trails and in public use areas, so searchers do not need to stray far off-trail (No more than 3 feet).
  • Do not dig. Caches should not be buried.
  • Caches should be returned to the location in which they were found.
  • Littering will not be tolerated. Please use trash cans or take trash with you.
  • Do not leave food, alcohol, drugs, firearms, or any other dangerous, illegal, or inappropriate items in geocaches/letterboxes.
  • All items that are left in the cache must have been brought into the park. Do not collect any object from inside the park to leave in the cache.
  • Sign the logbook, but do not take the logbook or pencil.
  • Any geocache/letterbox that is found and does not have a permit, but meets the permit requirements will be left in its location for two weeks from discovery in an attempt to contact the owner and issue a permit. If after the two weeks, contact has not been made or an application is not completed, the geocache/letterbox will be removed and entered into Park Police’s property room. Cache owner can contact Park Police to retrieve cache.
  • Any geocache/letterbox that is found and does not have a permit and does not meet permit requirements will be removed immediately and entered into Park Police’s property room. Attempts will be made to contact the owner to advise them of any violations and to provide owner with information to obtain a permit. Cache owner can contact Park Police to retrieve cache.
  • If there are any problems with the geocache/letterbox, contact the owner or a Park District employee.
  • Owners of unpermitted caches may be subject to fines for violating park rules