New York State Off-Road Park Project

I have only begun to brush the surface of this monumental task.  Through the beginnings of my research efforts over the last few months, I have discovered that there are several states West of the Mississippi River that have one or more state owned ORV parks or recreational areas.  California for example has 6 such parks they own and operate.  However here, east of the Mississippi River, ORV parks are few and far between.  The ones that  we  do have here are privately owned and can get to be expensive due to insurance and liability issues.  What I am proposing is a lower cost option for the Northeast USA.

With all the bad press we in the off-road community get due to those among us that fall in the 10% rule, we have fewer and fewer land and trails open and available to us.  Let those of us, who are true enthusiasts, band together to petition the State of New York to repurpose some of the state land and reopen them as an ORV/OHV Recreational area.  These parks could be multi use parks that allow for all types of OHVs.  The scope of the parks would allow our community to safely and responsibility enjoy what we do.

Today’s off-road community member for the most part is nothing like our fore-fathers.  We are responsible stewards of the land that we trek on.  We are always trying to preserve what we have for future generations to enjoy as well.  Let us band together and show the government that we are not the people that lead to the decisions of land and trail closures.

There is a huge unknown (to the gov’t) need for safe, LEGAL, OPEN places for us to enjoy our sport and hobby.  By the State of New York opening parks like this, it will be a win-win for everyone.  The state government will generate more revenue for their budget and the off-road community will get low cost LEGAL, OPEN places to enjoy taking our vehicles off-road.

Here is the link to the online petition:
State owned Off-Road Vehicle Recreational Park Petition

Thank you to all who view and support this project.  

This is a noble effort and I wish you success.

You're right in stating that 10% of our community act like idiots off-road and cause access issues for everyone. While today's off-road community is nothing like your forefathers in the sport, it's not for the reason you state.

I AM one of your forefathers and don't like your statement in paragraph three. We built many of the trails you enjoy today and spent decades in the backcountry forging relationships with land management agencies that used to work with us. They worked with us, that is, until people such as you started your rhetoric about how bad we were/are and added fuel to the anti's fire.

You aren't alone in doing this. I recently wrote an editorial about those who are supposedly on our side (public land access for the public) who work against us, using our own money to get areas closed to "protect" the land for future generations.

Good luck in your efforts to get New York to designate OHV areas. Quit throwing rocks at your own family or you'll find your efforts are in vain.  
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