Permits may allow metal detecting at Shaler's Fall Run Park; finds to be displayed at library

Between 100 and 150 pieces of Shaler’s coal mining history will displayed in November at the Shaler North Hills Library.

Members of the North Pittsburgh Past Finders metal detecting club have found relics such as electric miner lamps, coal miner tags, gold-plated pocket watch parts and coal company scrip in Fall Run Park, said Tyler Wright, 29, a Shaler resident and member of the club.

Coal mine scrip was a type of private currency issued to employees that was redeemable only at company stores.

“The entire process of researching a location, finding evidence of structures and then finding relevant relics is amazing,” he said. “It’s almost like a treasure map.”

Their hunt for pieces of the past in Fall Run came to an end Sept. 1, when a township ban on metal detecting in all of the parks took effect. But an appeal from the club has township officials reconsidering.

Shaler Manager Judy Kording expects the township to amend the policy to include a permit process that would allow for metal detecting only in Fall Run.

“There’s a lot of historical artifacts at Fall Run,” she said. “The other parks are not conducive to it with the sprinkler systems and whatnot.”

The policy will be modeled after that used by Allegheny County’s Parks Department, Kording said.

The county issues letters of authorization to metal detect in county parks that are good for one year. Rules include not interfering with other park patrons and that metal detectors are not allowed in recreation areas such as swimming pools, golf courses, food areas and playgrounds.

They are not allowed to disturb turf, grass, sod or any other plant material in the parks, but probing with small screwdrivers or similar devices is allowed within reason. Any small holes must be refilled.

Any items found of historical value have to be handed over to the county.

Up to two children younger than 15 can metal detect with an adult.

A benefit of being a member of North Pittsburgh Past Finders is that its members are covered by the club’s authorization to metal detect in county parks, Wright said.

North Park is a popular spot, where Wright says members’ finds have included silver coins from the 1850s.

A member of the club since 2024, Wright said he first toyed with metal detecting in 2018, fell out of it for a while and got back into it in 2023.

He had been going to Fall Run regularly since early 2024 until the ban took effect. Most of his finds were between 8 and 12 inches deep, with some just 2 inches underground.

Fall Run is unique for finding coal mining relics because they’ve been preserved in the park, instead being bulldozed and built on top of, Wright said.

Wright shares videos of his metal detecting on YouTube under the name “Teed.”

“Metal detecting, to me, is about saving history,” he said. “In my case, I mainly try to save coal mine relics. These coal miners suffered terrible working conditions and had a hard life. It’s humbling to bring their past to light by finding their trinkets and sharing it with the community. It’s always a good day when you can save something lost to time and give it new life or appreciation in a display.”

Disappointed by Shaler’s ban, Wright is pleased that the township is considering a permit process similar to the county’s.

“I’m happy the township is willing to work with the local metal detecting community on a compromise,” he said. “They aren’t obligated to accommodate our hobby, but I can assure you that this will speak volumes amongst the detecting community, especially the North Pittsburgh Past Finders metal detecting club.

“Shaler has always been a gray area with no official detecting rules, but I am glad there will be something official put in place,” he said. “With the reports of irresponsible ‘bad apples’ in the hobby leaving holes and trash, I think putting rules in place is a good idea. It helps preserve the parks and penalize those that are giving our hobby a bad name.”

Wright and other club members are expecting to assemble the library display on Monday, Nov. 3. It will be there through the end of the month.

“I am hoping that showing our finds will help boost public perception of the hobby,” he said.

Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd., is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and is closed on Sundays.