Cache Mania

The new Grand River Conservation authority geocaching policy is fairly straightforward and doesn’t differ substantially from other policies in this part of the province.

Here are some highlights from the new GRCA Geocaching Policy:

• Cacher must complete the “Cache Information Form”
• No specified limit to the number of caches in an area, limit to be determined by the GRCA designate.
• Only on marked trails
• Only 1 meter from trail, I can see this being a bit contentious.
• The area superintendent determines acceptability.

Overall there are no surprises in this policy.  Now that there is a policy we can start to officially place caches in GRCA parks.  I think it’s time for me to get a season pass.  You should to if you are going to place a cache in a pay-for-use park.

Tags: Geocaching, Grand River, GRCA, hides, locations, property rights
Posted in Geocaches, Places | 4 Comments »

I heard from my contact at the Grand River Conservation Authority today.  Their Geocaching Policy has been approved.  I should have a copy of the policy later today.  I will post it when I receive it.   I don’t know if this will apply retroactively.

Tags: Grand River, GRCA, Policy
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I met yesterday with the managers of Ruthven Park to discuss placing a cache on their property.  The meeting went really well.  I think it went well because I was prepared for the meeting.

Here’s how I prepared for the meeting:

1. I brought along the cache I was going to place so they could see the cache and the contents.  They weren’t sure what would be found inside but seeing it helped them understand that better.
2. I thoroughly read their website to learn what their mission was and how geocaching could help them with that.
3. I had an idea of where I wanted to put the cache and why.
4. I had examples of cache listing pages with me.

I first contacted the park via email and I could tell from the reply that they were open to the idea.  I found out during my visit that they had contacted other facilities that have geocaches on their property to find out if it was a problem.  They had their own concerns and asked me to address them.  Their concerns were as follows:

1. Can we tell people where to park?  Yes, I’ll add a child waypoint for that.
2. Are we responsible for the cache?  No, all you are doing is giving me permission to place it, I’m responsible for it.
3. What will people leave in the cache?  I showed them examples.

This was the first time I’ve met with a property owner directly.  I hope all meetings go as well as yesterday.  I’ve submitted the listing for review.  I need to wait to see if it is approved.  I don’t see why it wouldn’t be.

Tags: Cayuga, geocache, Grand River, Lower Grand Land Trust, meeting, placing, property, Ruthven
Posted in Geocaches, Rants | 1 Comment »

I’d like to put a geocache in the GRCA’s Shade’s Mills conservation area but I can’t.  The park superintendent doesn’t allow it.  I wondered if this was a specific park rule or applied to all the conservation areas that are part of the GRCA.  Does the GRCA have an official goecaching policy?  Not Yet.  I’m not one to sit idly by when I want something to happen.  Not only do I live close to Shade’s Mills but I am also close to the GRCA main office.   I was out running errands today and I decided to stop in and see if I could talk to someone about the lack of an official GRCA policy.

When I stopped in I had the pleasure of meeting the Manager, Conservation Area Operations.  He was a very helpful individual.  He explained to me that the GRCA has had minor problems with geocachers in the past and would like to do something to get a better handle on the situation.  They are currently discussing internally the idea of an official policy but as yet do not have one.  He expects to introduce a policy in 2010.

He has been in touch with the conservation authorities for Hamilton and Halton regions.   These two authorities already have official geocaching policies.  It is safe to assume that any policy the GRCA enacts will be similar to those already in place at the neighbouring authorities.  I got the impression that the GRCA would like to allow geocaching in it’s facilities along as it’s done in an ecologically sensitive sustainable way.

Follow these links for Hamilton and Halton:

• Hamilton Region Conservation Authority Geocaching Policy
• Halton Region Conservation Authority Geocaching Policy

Tags: Geocaching, Grand River, GRCA, Policy
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View more pictures from this beautiful spot on my flickr account.

A beautiful fall day in Cambridge.

Tags: Grand River, Sunrise
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