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Geocaching in Niagara Parks
BACKGROUND
Geocaching is an outdoor activity that is similar to a treasure hunt. The goal of the activity is to find hidden containers known as caches or geocaches using a portable satellite navigation device called a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Individuals who practice this activity (generally referred to as cachers or geocachers) place a cache in an outdoor location and post the cache’s latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates on the Internet. Other geocachers then use their GPS devices to download the coordinates and cache descriptions from the Internet in order to find the caches.
Once the participants have found the cache, they may log their findings on the Internet. There are a number of different types of caches. Physical caches include a logbook, pencil, and trade items (small objects left in the caches for geocachers to trade with one another such as toys and key chains). Another type of cache is an earth cache, which highlights an area’s unique natural features.
More information regarding different types of caches and geocaching in general can be found at www.geocaching.com and www.earthcache.org
NIAGARA PARKS' GEOCACHING POLICY
Geocaching activities may be permitted on lands of The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) provided they are in keeping with the provisions of this policy; they are in full compliance with the Niagara Parks Act and its regulations, and they have been approved by the Parks Naturalist, or designee.
1. When placing or seeking a cache, geocachers must travel on marked and maintained trails in natural areas or in publicly accessible areas (e.g. picnic areas) at all times. All caches must be accessible from the trail, no more than 1 meter from the side of the trail, or be within the
public area. If marked and maintained trails do not exist, geocachers must check with the NPC Parks Naturalist or designee. All caches must be external to any building or structure on NPC lands.
2. Trade items are permitted in caches provided they are family friendly such as toys or key chains. An educational message or story about the cache’s specific location or about the historic site or natural features of the location must be included. These messages will
encourage a focus on the special natural or cultural features of the cache location. A cache shall not contain a trade item which attracts wildlife or is potentially harmful to humans, wildlife or the environment. A cache shall not contain food, alcohol, firearms, drugs, dangerous items, adult items or any other items deemed unacceptable by NPC.
3. Geocachers must pay all fees where applicable.
4. Caches must be placed so that they do not disturb natural (e.g. vegetation, soil) and/or cultural resources. No digging or disruption of the ground is permitted when placing a cache.
5. Prior to placing a cache on NPC lands geocachers must apply for cache placement authorization from the Parks Naturalist (contact: parksnaturalist@niagaraparks.com).
Geocachers are required to complete and submit a “Cache Information Form”, attached as Appendix “A” and also available at www.niagaraparksnature.com. If requested, geocachers
may be required to meet with the Parks Naturalist to discuss the proposed location of their cache.
6. Cache containers shall be:
6.1 Watertight [i.e. plastic container with sealable lid]
6.2 Made of material that will withstand wind, rain, frost and other natural elements
6.3 As small as possible
6.4 Neutral-coloured so that they do not stand out in the natural environment.
7. Cache containers that have been used for food are not permitted as odours could attract wildlife.
8. Caches shall include the following:
8.1 A logbook (in a sealable bag to protect it from humidity);
8.2 A pencil and an approved pencil sharpener; and,
8.3 A “Note For Cache Finders” (attached as Appendix “B” and also available at
www.niagaraparksnature.com) that includes the following:
a) an educational message about the cache’s specific location
b) clear message about the requirements of the Niagara Parks Act and its
regulations
- available at http://www.niagaraparks.com/aboutus/aboutus.php
c) clear message about trade items and directing finders not to leave trade items that may attract wildlife
d) instructions for people who find the cache by chance
e) the cache’s GC# and Name to confirm that the correct cache has been found;
and,
f) Niagara Parks staff contact information and the cache owner’s name and/or screen name and contact information in the event that the cache is in need of maintenance or needs to be removed from its location.
9. Geocachers are encouraged to assist NPC with its stewardship responsibilities such as abiding by the “cache in, trash out” (CITO) practice which contributes to the maintenance of our Parks lands. For more information about this clean up practice, please refer to
www.geocaching.com. Geocachers are also encouraged to visit the Leave No Trace website
at www.leavenotrace.ca. This website offers helpful principles for planning safe and environmentally respectful outdoor recreational activities.
10. NPC may request that a cache be removed if any provisions of this policy are not adhered to. If the cache owner does not remove the cache as requested, NPC will notify the local geocaching administrator to request immediate removal and delisting of the cache in
question.
11. NPC shall have the authority to monitor and limit the number of caches in specific locations on its lands.
This NPC policy is based upon the Geocaching Guidelines of Parks Canada which were approved and adopted in September 2007.
Visitors wishing to request permission to place Geocaches within the NPC jurisdiction, must download Appendix A and Appendix B, then email the completed documents back to the Parks Naturalist parksnaturalist@niagaraparks.com