Metal Detecting Guidelines

Metal Detecting Guidelines for City Parks

Metal detecting is prohibited in all areas of Munson Park and other parks where posted.

Parks staff retain the right to restrict or limit metal detecting in any city park at any time at their sole discretion. Prohibited areas in any city park include any manicured lawn or sports turf; on or within 10 feet on either side of a walking trail, and landscape beds/areas.

Persons finding valuable articles who wish to keep the articles in their possession must comply with the State Laws regarding the finding of valuable property. All federal and state antiquity laws must be obeyed.
Any items found must be reviewed by Parks staff and may be retained by the City of Monroe for further investigation except for modern jewelry or modern coins. If you find an item of possible historic or cultural significance, leave the item where you found it. When in doubt, it shall be assumed that the item has historical significance. Please contact the Recreation Dept at (734) 384-9156.
All articles of value found in parks must be turned over to the City of Monroe Police. These items may be returned to the finder in cases where the rightful owner does not claim same within the statutory time frame (See Chapter 514, Property Abandoned, of the Code of Monroe).
The tools to probe and dig for items are limited to the use of an ice pick, screwdriver, or similar device so long as the shaft is no longer than four inches (4”). The use of larger digging tools is prohibited.
Holes shall be no more than six-inches in depth.

Collectors shall not probe in a way that damages plants or geological features or cause damage, destruction or injury to wildlife, plants, animals, archaeological, historical or geological objects in a city park.

Any holes created shall be filled immediately, and all turf, dirt, etc. must be left in the original condition after digging. Failure to restore a dig site may result in a fine or other restitution in accordance with Chapter 519, Property Damage, of the Code of Monroe.

Metal detecting is only permitted for personal use and not for commercial purposes. Collecting in large groups is discouraged, especially at neighborhood parks due to the limited size and availability of resources.
The City of Monroe makes no claims in regard to the safety of metal detecting related excavation activities. Individuals are responsible for ascertaining those excavations will not in any way interfere with buried utilities and shall be responsible for any damage caused by excavation activities.

Revised February 2026