This cache is placed as part of the Intro To Geocaching Class that was hosted here on 12/26/2024.
A few things to remember when hiding and seeking geocaches:
1. Ask permission before hiding a cache from the property owner / property manager. Some locations have blanket approval for geocaches, others have specific use guidelines and rules to follow, other areas are restricted and not allowed (even though they are public parks, public property, etc). If in doubt, always ask. For example, much of the Park Township park properties are available to be used for Geocaching, however the areas near the Perry Street entrance the former airport property, and the community gardens, are both off limits. As of now, the Park Township Recreation & Athletics Division manages geocache requests, and they even encourage placing additional caches within Keppel Park as of 2023. Also of note, Ottawa County Parks Department has adopted specific use guidelines for placing geocaches, and allows them in all locations unless specificially named as restricted (such as the Rosy Mound Natural Area).
2. What is the difference between public property and private property? Public property is owned by the state or local community governments and intended for public use. This includes highways, rest stops, public lands, hunting lands, parks, etc. Private property is owned by individuals, companies, groups, etc, and those parties have exclusive rights to the use of it. As you are out at the mall, at church, shopping at a store, getting gas, you may be "out in public" but almost everywhere you go is indeed private property. When hiding a geocache, the cacher need to first obtain permisison from the person or group that owns the property or they risk getting themselves, and others finding the cache, into trouble. If someone is injured on private property, the property owner may be found liable, and it is up to them if they want geocaching activities to be allowed on their land, place of buisness, church, etc.
3. What is a right-of-way? A property owner is usually paying taxes and owns out to the centerline of the roads adjcent to their property. Sidewalks, bikepaths, utilities, etc, are often required to be within 33 feet of the centerline of the road and within the established right-of-way (distances may vary by state and are wider for larger roads and highways). Is geocaching an approved utility or pre-authorized use of the space within the right-of-way? Probably not in most cities and townships. If you found a really cool spot to hide a cache within a right of way, find out who the property owner is (or land manager), explain what you would like to do, and ask permission to place your cache there. If they say no, ask if there are adjustments that can be made that would change their mind, and honor their wishes if they still decline. Above all, be respectful and polite and thank them for their time.
4. What is an Easement? In many cases, one person owns the property, but addional people have legal rights to use that property for specific stated purposes. As an example, a shared driveway for multiple homes offen has one property owner, but the adjcent homes have a legal document that allows egress across that driveway to access their home, but they don't actually own the property. Other situations may exist where a subdivision has a home at the front where a sign for the subdivision exists. Sometimes these signs are seperate parcels of property owned by the homeowners association, other times it is an extra large lawn for one home but they also have to tolerate the neighborhood sign on their property lot. Locations such as this, are typicallly poor choices for a geocache as it brings regular vistors onto the property who are strangers to the family that lives there.
Limitless opportunities exist within Geocaching for exploring new locations, fantastic parks, hidden gems within local communities, beautiful sunsets, and the out of the way places that nobody else knows about. Be sure to read the Geocaching User Agreement, and the Hide a Cache help page to get the maximum amount of fun out of this adventure before you, in a safe, respectful, and legal way. Everyone is encouraged to find at least 10 caches before placing their first hide, and please, please read through what to do and not do. https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.book&id=19
Permission for this geocache was secured from the Holland Township Parks Department on 9/11/2024, with their reminder that caches may not be burried, may not damage structures, are placed in common sense manner, and do not cause adverse care to the park property.