Metal Detectors

1. It is our goal to provide as many positive recreational opportunities for park visitors as possible, and
2. The use of metal detectors, or "treasure hunting," in Sunnyvale's park system is not illegal. City code does not prohibit it; nor are there any park rules or regulations forbidding it, and
3. It is our obligation to protect the park's resources and to ensure that damage to the park by visitors is minimized, and
4. It is illegal to dig in any park area with any tool, and violators are subject to citation.

As a result, and with these four concepts in mind, park visitors with metal detectors are welcome in the parks so long as they do not do any digging. Parks staff have been directed to politely ask treasure hunters to leave all digging tools outside of the park and to inform them that sifting through the top few inches of sand or fir bark in play areas is acceptable so long as they do not use any tools or inconvenience playground users. The City is, in fact, grateful for any assistance treasure hunters might render with regard to the removal of any trash or debris they might find during their hunt.

Treasure hunters observed digging in the park or otherwise damaging park resources will be informed that they are breaking the law. If they continue to break the law, Park staff will contact Public Safety.