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Riders on the storm; vehicle operators want Vernon to create legal ATV park

Posted Monday, June 28, 2004 by Webmaster

By PAT MINDOS
Herald Staff Writer

All-terrain vehicle operators are responding to Vernon Council’s recent discussions about illegal riding.
Highland Lakes resident James Cook and his friends planned to ask the council tonight about creating a legal ATV park.
However, the council rescheduled its meeting to July 8 and Cook just learned on Sunday night about the change.
“So I’ll be running around town to put up fliers with the new date,” he said.
Some ATV riders have used the municipal-owned Maple Grange park, leaving deep ruts in the park pathways.
Vernon purchased the 183-Maple Grange tract in 2000. A portion of the property — the 40-acre Black Creek site — has been designated a state and federal historic site. Artifacts from the Lenni-Lenape Indians have been found on the site, which have been dated to be more than 10,000 years old.
The park is closed to public access and for more than a year, the vehicles have damaged the terrain of the historical site, according to Vernon resident Jessica Paladini, who spearheaded the effort to preserve the historical site.
The township is considering installing more locked gates to block the entryways and possibly supplying police with quad vehicles so they can apprehend the riders of the all-terrain vehicles.
Cook understands the problem with the Maple Grange property. He wants Vernon to make (other) property accessible to him and other riders. The 34-year-old maintenance man said he is tired of the negative opinions he has heard about other people who ride off-road vehicles.
“I believe both sides of the story have not been heard,” he said. “A lot of people want to ride their ATVs with their families. We believe something should be done in Vernon so there’s property we can legally ride on, even if we have to pay a fee.”
Cook had encouraged other riders to attend tonight’s meeting at the municipal building, but the council rescheduled its meeting since the entire governing body could not attend.
“We wanted to have a full council to discuss the agenda,” said Councilman Phil Weiler on Sunday.
The council will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on July 8, said Weiler.
“I think it’s two issues — trying to assist the ATV riders, hopefully finding a place where they can legally ride; the second issue is the riders, there’s a small minority who disregard the rules and damage property where they are not supposed to be riding,” he said.
Homeowners’ complaints about noise and damage to the municipal-owned park have forced police to respond with summons and warnings to impound off-road vehicles.
The vehicles are not allowed on public property. If caught, riders could be charged with a $100 fine for a first offense and $250 for a second offense, according to a 20-year-old township ordinance.
Vernon resident Michael Lohwin, 36, had also planned to express his opinion tonight about the need for an off-road vehicle park.
He said Vernon should provide a riding area for the vehicles, with a nearby area to park cars. “So we can drive our machines there,” he said. “This would eliminate the road problem the town is encountering.”
Lohwin rides his Kawasaki Lakota vehicle about once a month. “I enjoy being outdoors and the camaraderie of being with other men and women,” he said.
The auto mechanic has three children, two of whom are learning how to operate an off-road vehicle.
“It’s an activity that I hope we can do together now and into adulthood as they grow older,” said Lohwin, who has been riding for about 20 years.
His 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son wear safety gear and only ride accompanied by their father.
To protect natural resources, the state Department of Environmental Protection also has regulations prohibiting the off-road vehicles in state parks.
The state does support the safe and proper use of the vehicles in designated areas and has been negotiating to purchase two land parcels, a department spokeswoman said.
Cook and Lohwin hope the state will also take action soon.
“New York and Pennsylvania have so many riding areas, there are official ATV parks,” said Lohwin. “In Jersey, we can go swimming and hiking, everything but riding our ATVs,” he said.
Weiler said, “I recognize this is a sport that appeals to riders of all ages and is a sport that they are very passionate about,” he said.
He also said there are two types of riders.
“There’s the legitimate ATV riders who are careful and want to ride in a legal place and obey the rules,” he said. “Then there’s the small minority who disregard the rules and damage property by riding illegally.”

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