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Despite removing sharp nails, screws and even bullets buried in the ground of a local park, a North Okanagan man has been ordered to stop digging holes in Vernon's city parks.
“I got the metal detector about four years ago because there’s so much history to be found in the ground,” said Doug Arnison. “But in that time I’ve found a lot more garbage and dangerous items in Polson Park then I have any historical items.”
Arnison says he has found live ammo shells, sharp nails, used needles, staples and metal tent pegs, but Bylaw Officers have warned him to stop immediately or risk a fine.
In a post on Vernon Rant and Rave’s Facebook page, Arnison wrote:
"RANT To the By-law officers and management that won't allow me to use my metal detector in "all parks in the NORD". I don't see any of them picking up nails, needles or live ammo in the grass. I've found all this and more where your children play. Their attitude is "If we can't see it, it's OK". So I do it anyhow under threat of a "criminal offence". I feel it's my civic duty. I have children as well."
Arnison says he plans to ask Vernon city council to consider allowing him and a group of metal detector users to occasionally be allowed to dig and help clean up the park.
The City of Vernon did not respond to NowMedia's request for a comment on the story.
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