How to tell which Parks are old?

[helgriffan]

Many of you park hunter I was curious if there is a website or a way to tell which parks in a City are old. I dont seem to find much information about the age of a park online. I know there has to be a way.
Thanks Jordan

[Dustyloins]

BIG trees are one clue around here. Also, older houses around the park.......

Dusty

[tnguyen8806]

Talk to the old folks in the area, they should have an idea. Join the local historic society, old members know a lot about the area.

[tnguyen8806]

Look at how big the trees are, they may give you a rough estimate of the age.

[JamieG.]

I like to also look at the roots of big trees. If you can see the roots can be a good sign that there has'nt been alot of fill dirt added.
Fill dirt can be a pain sometimes, meaning that alot of the goodies can be under 6 inches of fill dirt and the normal sink rate of a target.

[Silversmith45]

Type in Parks and Recreation of your town. Sometimes they give information about the local parks.

[WildDigger]

The 2 parks near me are old they date back to the 30-40's but they both have been redone this past year. Not the whole park but the totlots and a few other areas. But hey you still have fresh drops.

[goes4ever]

I have to agree, look at the houses around it, if they are all old GOOD chances the park is too, and if the trees are big and u see exposed roots, BONUS!

[dwentzel228]

If you can find an old map of the area check that out. We are lucky here in pa to have old aerials available. Early atlas can be good at find parks, usually marked and of course check the parks info they will usually have an established date.

[Pjbassturd]

Local museum

[Onaug]

Unfortunately, most areas don't have the information we really want online unless there is an active historical society group nearby who posts it. And in my main towns defense a fire burned down most of our records. Some things survived though and are at the library at the historical branch. Most libraries have a historical room, floor, department, or branch that will shock you with the history you were oblivious too. I'm about to go back to mine for a second look now that I know a little bit more of what I am looking for and I will spend all day this time.

[CapNRon]

I went to my cities website. They had a parks and rec link that had ever parks name, what was there, how big it is, and when it was built. Maybe try that? Good luck.

[fred sanford]

Historical Society

Historical aerials , penn pilot - web sites

Whats the dirt look like? Dark good, fill lot times no good

Big trees with exposed roots

Don't judge a book by its cover- may or may not look old but could hold goodies

[(Heavy)]

http://www.historicaerials.com/aerials.php?op=home

[Nitelord]

The three I just looked at in my area, all specified Established in:

Your results may vary.

[Dirty Money]

In either the historical section of your library, or in your local museum, you should find old maps of your city as well as Sanborn Maps, or copies, or internet access to the Sanborn web site. Either source will show the parks in existence at that time.

HH

[dogpound]

i really don't care if the park is only 5 or 10 yrs old, i look at the homes that surround the area. the ground that the park is sittin on is old as dirt
if its a newer lookin park with old homes around it then i like to hit the parts that meet up against the old properties

[helgriffan]

Thanks guys. I have tried alot of that. Im thinking about going on a metal detecting road trip and am unable to find any information on Parks age online except a few. We live in nebraska so far I havent been able to find any historical flybys. Oh well Ill try some of the other options out. Thanks for the info.
Jordan

[Mainelypulltab]

If you know the town the Parks are in, you could always call the town office or the county office of where these parks are located. They should be able to answer those and many more questions you may have. A local MDing club or some local rules so as to save you some time from doing time. HH!

[Onaug]

Originally Posted by dogpound

i really don't care if the park is only 5 or 10 yrs old, i look at the homes that surround the area. the ground that the park is sittin on is old as dirt
if its a newer lookin park with old homes around it then i like to hit the parts that meet up against the old properties

Good point.