Rec Climbing in Metro Parks

Yimboob

Yimboob

New member
Location
Columbus
This is my first post, but has anyone ever g
otten in trouble for rec climbing in a park? Im wondering what would happen, cause ive been eyeing up a biggin for a while and me and a couple buddys are about to go climb it. I know its illegal, and there is a city ordinance prohibiting such things, but i cant figure out what the punishment wpuld be to such a thing. Or if rangers would even care enough to do anything about.

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I've been told to get out of the tree at three parks, all under different governmental jurisdictions. Twice by police, once by a public works supervisor. Never been arrested or punished. Twice I've had police investigate what I was doing but let me continue.
 
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Tuebor said:
I've been told to get out of the tree at three parks, all under different governmental jurisdictions. Twice by police, once by public works supervisor. Never been arrested or punished. Twice I've had police investigate what I was doing but let me continue.

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Thanks that helps. 2 guys i was gonna do it with were afraid theyd get their gear taken

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From the Columbus Code of Ordinances:

912.17 - Abuse or mutilation of trees.
Unless issued a written permit by the director of the recreation and parks department, no person shall attach any rope, wire, nails, advertising poster, or other contrivance to any tree in any public street, park or public place. No person shall permit any fire to burn where such fire or heat therefrom, or heat from any source, will injure any portion of any tree in any public street, park or public place. Without permit, no person shall use herbicides or other chemicals on any trees, shrubs or evergreens in any public street, park or public place.

and...

912.99 - Penalty.
Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days, or both. Any such violation shall constitute a separate offense on each day the violation exists.

So you could always explain what you're doing and ask for written permission from Parks and Rec or take the chance and maybe get fined. Although more likely is just being asked to leave the park.
 
Boomslang said:
From the Columbus Code of Ordinances:

912.17 - Abuse or mutilation of trees.
Unless issued a written permit by the director of the recreation and parks department, no person shall attach any rope, wire, nails, advertising poster, or other contrivance to any tree in any public street, park or public place. No person shall permit any fire to burn where such fire or heat therefrom, or heat from any source, will injure any portion of any tree in any public street, park or public place. Without permit, no person shall use herbicides or other chemicals on any trees, shrubs or evergreens in any public street, park or public place.

and...

912.99 - Penalty.
Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and fined not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisoned for not more than sixty (60) days, or both. Any such violation shall constitute a separate offense on each day the violation exists.

So you could always explain what you're doing and ask for written permission from Parks and Rec or take the chance and maybe get fined. Although more likely is just being asked to leave the park.
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Yeah i guess thats what we are gonna do. Its the national champion sycamore so i think im going to try and be vague and maybe ill get permission to climb in the park.

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Perhaps a call or email to Metro Parks to maybe get clearance ahead of time? Cant hurt to ask rather than get caught by a ranger with not much else to do.
 
Yimboob said:
Thanks that helps. 2 guys i was gonna do it with were afraid theyd get their gear taken

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Now that is a really scary thought that had never occurred to me. I saw an episode of the TV show 60 minutes in which it was revealed that the laws regarding property seizure are different than criminal laws. The police or other agencies can take property merely because they think you might be guilty of something, and it is up to you to prove your innocence. With criminal law, it's innocent until proven guilty.

Tim
 
State Parks in California you cannot climb trees as a private citizen just visiting the park. I would say though its less frowned upon on BLM or Forest Service land for sure. I think too at Municipal parks as long as your do lower hanging practice and just messing around with your ropework skills, it wouldn't be too much of a big deal.
 
Yimboob said:
Yeah i guess thats what we are gonna do. Its the national champion sycamore so i think im going to try and be vague and maybe ill get permission to climb in the park.

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Doubt they'll give you permission to climb a notable tree. Notable as in registered on the list of notable trees as a national champion.
 
How dark it it in the middle of the night? :spiderman:

I brought some climbing gear with me on a camping trip to Myrtle beach. We got some good climbing in before Mr. grouchy ranger put a stop to it. He said I don't know what I can get you for so take the rope down before we find out. From then on it has been climbs at night.
 
I wouldn't bother asking for permission because I'm certain they will say no. Unless you are performing some service such as an inspection, survey, study, etc, they're not going to risk a lawsuit for letting you climb for fun. If you get denied but go climb it anyway and get caught, you might be risking more of a penalty than just being told to leave. I would practice doing a quick set up and climb with minimal gear on a similar tree several times, then go climb it on a day and time when few people or workers are around. Haul your gear up with you to avoid it being noticed lying on the ground.
 
MattT said:
Doubt they'll give you permission to climb a notable tree. Notable as in registered on the list of notable trees as a national champion.
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I was just going to get permission for the park and try not to tell them where in the park.

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ps- it's the easy access to climbing I love so much. Lots of places I've lived and would like to live (here and overseas). Realised my thinking might have sounded stupid or insulting in my post. My bad.
 
WaitakKauri said:
ps- it's the easy access to climbing I love so much. Lots of places I've lived and would like to live (here and overseas). Realised my thinking might have sounded stupid or insulting in my post. My bad.
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Lol im so jelly! People are dicks out here.

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WaitakKauri said:
:) I should get to America this year and will be keeen to climb or cycle depending on my schedule and locations.
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Let me know if you make it to the northeast U.S.

Also the annual rec climber rendezvous is at an awesome location north and a little west of Boulder, Colorado at the beginning of September. Beautiful old ponderosa and aspen in a fantastic setting. http://treeclimbingcolorado.com/2017-rendezvous.html

-AJ
 
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