[narlus]

state park officials are taking over 7200 acres of land near Berlin NH to create an ATV park.



sounds like the mtb advocacy group needs to get in on this action.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Perhaps a hunting season would be appropriate also. We could mount headlamps and helmets on wall plaques...

 

[dan-o]

If it gives them a legal and specific spot to rage around in I think it's great. Hopefully they'll stay off the bike trails now.

 

[ummbikes]

Perhaps a hunting season would be appropriate also. We could mount headlamps and helmets on wall plaques...

Mr Bryan Peters,

I am the NRA.

Yours,

Mr. Redneck ATV Owner:looney:

state park officials are taking over 7200 acres of land near Berlin NH to create an ATV park.



sounds like the mtb advocacy group needs to get in on this action.

Heck ya, get some dirt set aside for builing some stunts, DH stuff, slalom track. Hook up with moto dudes and ride their BRAAAAP BRAAAP machines, let them ride your bike. Meet new people gain insights into why they do what they do.

Be a good face for the sport, maybe talk JohnBryanPeters down from the clock tower...

 

[JRB]

If it gives them a legal and specific spot to rage around in I think it's great. Hopefully they'll stay off the bike trails now.

 

[DH biker]

Rather than riding illegal trails with the fear of being caught and ripping up land they souldn't, now they can rip up land they legally can/ Great news, you can bet I'll be up there this Summer coming up. Sounds like it will be fun.

Found an article from before it was approved but it seems all are in favour of it:

BERLIN — The state's largest land conservation organization and the group representing all-terrain-vehicle users agree on one thing: The state's proposed purchase of 7,200 acres here for a dedicated ATV park makes sense.

About $2.16 million is to be spent to purchase and construct an ATV park near Jerhico Lake, and a public hearing is planned for tonight in Berlin.

The hearing follows the tabling last week of the proposal by the state Executive Council. On a 3-2 vote, councilors said they wanted more information and public input before finalizing the deal and set a vote for Nov. 16.

Tonight's hearing by the state Division of Parks and Recreation, in cooperation with the city of Berlin, will be at 7:35 p.m. at the Berlin City Hall.

Charlie Niebling, senior director of policy and land management for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, said the statewide conservation organization is not opposed to the purchase of the this land for this purpose.

He said the land is "high and dry" and has other characteristics that make it relatively well-suited for an ATV park. The Forest Society, he said, supported the legislation to create new ATV parks with increased registration fees.

"And this will mean that 7,200 acres will never be commercially developed," Niebling noted.

Richard Goudarzi of Concord is executive director of the New Hampshire Off Highway Vehicle Association, formerly the Granite State ATV Association. He said ATV enthusiasts agreed to a 45 percent increase in registration fees in 2002 with the proviso that the money be spent to develop parks and riding opportunities for the 30,000 ATVs now registered. The number of registered ATVs has increased 400 percent in the past decade, he said, and while it continues to rise, there are only 600 miles of dedicated ATV trails.

This park would increase miles of trails in the state by 50 percent, with up to 350 miles available within the park.

"Our local clubs have done everything we have been asked to do, from increased fees to environmental awareness to partnerships with local communities," to allow for the ATV park to be developed, he said Friday.

Opponents of ATV use said the machines cause damage to the ground, affecting surface water runoff and erosion, and create noise, frightening wildlife.

But the story is entirely different in Berlin, Niebling noted.

"This project has been welcome with open arms," he said.

Berlin Mayor Bob Danderson has embraced the ATV park concept and is including as a donation 300 acres along Jericho Lake to be used for the creation of the park. Danderson said it could lead to a lot of economic benefit in the community.

For those who cannot attend, written comment is being accepted until Nov. 14. It should be sent to Commissioner R. Sean OKane, NH Department of Resources and Economic Development, PO Box 1856, Concord, 03302-1856, or by e-mail: berlincomments@dred.state.nh.us.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/02/18/nh_plans_new_park_with_trails_for_atvs/

http://www.jericholakeatvpark.com/


Very good news.

 

[rideit]

If it is followed up by intense, zero tolerance enforcement and patrolling on other singletrack in the state, It is great news. If it merely draws thousands more ATV-ers from surrounding states, who then get bored of this new terrain, and start exploring/destroying adjacent trails, it is a horrific development.