It might be a good idea at this point, with so much input (and it's all very good stuff), to take a step back and start to solidifying the things that have already been established. Things such as: the name (LFRA), establish what location to seek out land, how many of us are actually committed and how much money we will have to start. In addition, things that will make it easier and more clear to those from whom we will seek support like insurance companies, land donation(maybe we can find a grant or something in support of keeping us off posted properties - what landowner wouldn't want us to get our own land), etc. One way to go about organizing is to perhaps write up a formal description (and make it sound good for things like getting insurance and support for our cause - like someone mentioned gearing our name toward a family - oriented activity (Louisiana Family Rider's Assoc. - I think??)), the types of activites that will take place on the land, etc. And as previously mentioned, maybe one of us who knows how to webmaster can build a site so we can "see" what we have accomplished and what areas need to be addressed.
P.S. Something else to consider is that we really don't have many "legal" places designated for atv's and bikes other than privately owned lands - and there's not many of those. Kisatchie and that other one just south of it is about it. We may be getting the shaft. For instance, I went to visit my sister in Kansas City, MO and we all went four - wheelin' at two different state parks up there. One was on land that had been seized from some oil company that went broke so the state took it and made an atv park out of it. The other was an old mine which closed in the 70's and the state took it and made an atv park out of it too - it made for some awesome riding. Maybe we could start some sort of movement and lobby for our cause. Just another thought.

 

if or when you do start i will be willing to pay a fee every year and i know about 15 people that would also join. please keep me posted i would love to join because Barney has lost his mind going up on prices.

 

Ok Everybody, I know yall have been waiting for me.. Sorry it took me so long to get home today.. It was storming downtown and there were traffic jams everywhere.. ALSO, I had to get my vforce to the dealer for a RECALL, (another story).
Well here is what I know.
This place is where we will all go when we die. Its that good. River, hills, smooth stretches of sand, some REALLY challenging looking sand climbs, awesome small area of pine woods that will offer some great trail riding and a HUGE beach. Has an electrical pole in the center of the property near a perfect spot for RV parking.. just happens to be packed gravel that you could drive your moms Yugo on in a storm.

I have been unable to get the "plant manager" of the Gravel company that used to mine the area to call me back, However, I have very likely identified the owner of the property, and am currently trying to pull every political string I can to have anybody I know call everybody that may know this guy and tell him what a wonderful, responsible group of people we are.

I saw that yall have been working on a name.. we can call it whatever yall want, but it is still my opinion, and actually my immediate plan of action to present us as a group of families that intend to fish and hunt primarily, and enjoy the river and our four wheelers as well..

I want to have the phone calls made vouching for me before I even call the owner for an appointment. I would rather prepare for a week and have a better shot at it, than being told tommorrow NO.

If any of you have connections or friends that are insurance agents, this is what we need: I needs to be presented as this:
A ball park quote on say, 60 core members and their families. This property is about 3000 acres.
The property will be used for hunting and fishing, which will be facilitated by ATVs, because of the very large distances required to be traveled. That is important if we go at them trying to insure property for an ATV park, we will get tossed out, or given an unpayable quote. There will be telecommunications equipment present at all times the area is being used. The area will be properly and legally posted by membership. The area will be inspected for unsafe areas and marked as such by membership. Electrical service is available on the property, and a well will have to be put down (in sand) to obtain running water at the site.

That is what I would like presented to the agents. We are willing to initiate a non-profit org or a LLC if that would help.. Ask your agents for ADVICE. I do not think it would be feasible to start this as a pay per ride park. As a club, we may be able to look at that in a year or two. The problem with that, is you have to start paying people run it. Those people will not give a damn what goes on, as long as they get their paychecks.. Those people WILL steal from the club. The cash that is exchanged is too big a temptation. I will look at the options in a year or so..

I still encourage everyone to continue looking at properties up and down the Amite River, Thompsons Creek, and the Homochitto in Southern Mississippi. I am hopeful about our chances with this place, but it is still a 50/50 shot. I still havent talked to anybody that can give me a take on the owners attitudes about leasing this property, but I am going to give this my best shot once I have had some friends contact him. I have been at this hard for two days, but this is such rural property, with no addresses on or around it, that I am having to rely on people, rather than property records to contact the owner..

Thanks for the input, guys, and I am giving it hell..
PS, I have found 125 acres, mostly woods, with a beach for sale, but it is in the 400k range... too much.. It has been for sale for quite a while, though.

P.S. All of you that have VForces, make sure you get them in for the Recall, took the mech about 20 minutes to confirm mine was fine, but he said if it had been a problem, it could be a bad one.

 

I agree with what your doing badittude. Taking the time to prep. for the meeting is a great approach. I would like to meet with you sometime and disscuse these issues. Are you going to make the 4th of July weekend at La. Dunes. I believe this is going to our first chance to set and talk about everything we have so far.

Badchad did you get the list of names and numbers typed up yet. For everyone that doesnt know about this, pm Badchad with your name, email address, phone number, and home address. Hes getting the list together so we have infomation to get intouch with all members if we need to.

 

I cant say on me going to the Dunes on the July 4th weekend yet.. we have a trip to Florida scheduled that has me back on the 2nd. I guess it depends on if I have ANY money left from Disney and just how tired I am from driving all that way and back. I would have liked to maybe come up on the morning of the 5th, and camp Sat night. I am afraid of the place being too packed to get in.. Do you know if they take "reservations". They asked me about that the last time I got there. It would be a good chance to get together.. and I wouldnt at all mind camping up at the horse arena on the boyscout road if it comes down to it..

I swore I wasnt going back. But until we have another place, well.... I love the sand.. what can I say..

Maybe we will get super lucky before then.

Shane

 

The following is alist of forum members that have agreed to pay a fee for the new riding area. If I have missed anyone than post your name. If I put you on the list and you are not wanting to be in the organization pm me or post.

1BigDSRider
Highlifter
Badittude
BigRed 1
Swftballz400ex
MxRookie
Ced
Hossdaddy
Shaunonl1
Pecker
401
Twentycharacters
Ward660R
Eaglesflyalone
Memejourdan
Badchad
Lenoxk
HomeDawg
Cajunatver

19 current members. I figure with friends and other riders we can approach the 40 or 50 members we are looking for.

 

Ive got a good 10 that are solid family people and are willing to pay whatever it takes to several hundred dollars to make this happen.. we just need a spot and some luck.

 

hey guys. I did a search for abandoned gravel pits in lousisiana and found this link:

http://www.cqs.com/super_la.htm

I dont know how accurate it is or what it really is a list for (sometimes some crazy crap comes up in searches), but it gives a name of the places (may be the owner too) and about location of where it is.
It may help us out in our quest here and perhaps get more than one place to ride! We could wind up being THE ridiers association in LA by securing all the good the riding areas!

I know it's already been said, but yes I do agree with keeping the deal private at first and then later looking into maybe a public thing like LADUNES, without the chaos, and with more investment into the property to continually make things better- like new trails, keeping sand smooth, building hills, getting bathrooms with toilets that actually flush all the time, and not having to charge disney-world hamburger prices.

I also contacted one of my insurance people today who pointed me to some others that could possibly do something. I still have others to contact, so I'll let you know what I find out.
My book from the nohvcc should be in next week.

Also, there was a post here earlier of someone wanting to start lobbying for the cause. Do you all want to do that - involve politics? It could be good, but it also could stir things up and be negative. But on the other hand maybe something positive could head off the negative... let me know..
I just happen to be in good with my state rep's executive assistant and have been around the guy many times. He even recommended me for a job- I got a letter from him with the state seal on it (ooh).
I could have a very good chance of seeing the dude about this cause.

 

I wish I could remember which office to go too. You should be able to get a map of the Parish. It will be divided into smaller areas, we call them Beats but I don't know about LA. Each "Beat" might be divided again into smaller sections, and then once more into property lines. This would be used for Tax purposes. Maybe it is the Tax Assessor's office.?.?

I wish I wasn't sooo far away, I have loads of free time during the day that I could help. If there is ANYTHING I can do from here please let me know.

 

Alright guys, I sent an updated list to everyone who gave me their information this morning, if you did not recieve the list or you want to be on it but are not PM me and let me know. Also, when you get it be sure to check all your information and make sure it's correct.
I sent to : mxrookie
shaunonl1
swftballz400ex
Eaglesflyalone
1BigDSRider
KajunATVer
CED
twentycharacters
badittude

That's all I have listed so far 10 of us including myself - Hooterville and pecker, I need email addresses to send the list to you also, so please PM me with your info, OK.
I also have a club start up pack coming from the nohvcc - should be in next week to give us some more guidelines.

Once again, if your ID is not among those I have posted up here I do not have your info and don't have you listed yet.