A $10,000 treasure hunt has turned some of San Francisco's parks, piers, and stairways into makeshift dig sites, leaving parts of the city’s public green spaces worse for wear. San Franciscans have been fanning out with shovels and theories, searching for a 150‑pound chest packed with more than $10,000 in dollar coins. The anonymous organizers say they buried the box a foot underground within seven miles of City Hall and posted a six‑stanza riddle on Reddit to kick things off. Nearly two weeks after the clues appeared, the prize had not been claimed, and the hunt had become a headache for gardeners.
Where the hunt stands
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, city gardeners have found unfilled or improperly filled holes, trampled plants, damaged irrigation lines, and displaced ornamental rocks at Francisco, Ina Coolbrith, Washington Square, and Pioneer parks. The Chronicle also noted that a post on the city’s Reddit page has drawn more than 1,000 comments as sleuths trade theories. A parks department spokesperson told the paper that staff had created a permit process for digging to protect landscapes and public safety, a sign that the treasure craze is now an official city business problem.
How the game works
The organizers say on their site that the chest weighs more than 150 pounds, fits perfectly inside an aluminum box and was packed mostly with $1 coins pulled from their own bank accounts. According to Buried Treasure, San Francisco, the chest is buried under a foot of earth and the only clue is the poem. The FAQ asks players to treat the city gently and to contact the organizers if they find the prize, so everyone gets a clean ending to the story instead of a torn‑up park.
Parks damage and permits
San Francisco Recreation and Park Department maintains a formal Permits & Reservations process for events and any activities that alter park landscapes or infrastructure. City staff say the recent digging underscores why permits exist - to protect irrigation, plantings and public safety, and to make sure repairs are carried out properly when needed. In other words, if you are going to go hunting for buried treasure, the city would like a heads‑up before the shovels come out.
Community reaction and rules
The hunt has become a city‑wide hobby, with people swapping field notes, spreadsheets and theories, turning armchair detectives into amateur ground crews. Moderators and organizers have warned against reckless digging. The FAQ on Buried Treasure, San Francisco includes a gardener’s message asking hunters to “Fill in your holes. Leave the landscape better than you found it,” and reminds players that the chest is not hidden under manicured lawns or irrigation lines.
Finders keepers is still the rule, but organizers and city staff say the fun should not come at the expense of public spaces. The organizers say they will update their website when the chest is found, and park users who spot damage can contact the Recreation and Park Department via the Permits & Reservations page for guidance on reporting and repairs.
