ATV Florida Forum

I have kept it a secret for some time but it's official.  Lee County will be opening an OHV park soon.  No dates yet.  I will be headed out to the exact location on Sept 27th, a day before the OHV meeting in Ft Myers.  I will take pics and video of the location.  I have been asked NOT to disclose the exact location for now (sorry).  But, I can give some hints ... East of I-75, West of 29, off 82

Don't ask you'll have to wait until the 28th

Sport quad friendly?

Great news. You guys have been working your ass off.

Yes, sport friendly !   Trail system and much more.

I know this area  ;)

Dirt bikes allowed?

Yes, Dirt Bikes

I know what area you're talking about and nope, it's not that one.

Thats great news!  Can you tell us how many acres??

what about the area south of the area I know of???

Cool!!  That's a fews miles closer than Croom for me. 

I know you are gettin asked all kinds of questions... but I was wondering if there was going to be any mud? And if you knew if buggy were going to be allowed?

          Thanks for your time,
                     Swamper

Folks, I personally know thrumud, and EVERYONE OWES HIM A BIG THANK YOU. You guys have no idea how hard this man works for EVERYONE THAT RIDES AN ATV.....THANK YOU

Thanks, thrumud!!!  To really thank thrumud, when we ride in the new area let's all be responsible and not be like the idiots in the "Morons at Croom" post

Will there be camping/cabins?

I agree with kenz we are finaly getting a new leaglely close to home if you waht to rde lake a retard do it in frount of your own house where you won't mess it up for the rest of us that have to go to c&r and croom to ride not thats there's any thing rong with them but its nice to have a place close by so preaty much what I'm sayng is parking lots are NOT for donuts and the woods is not a trash can! not if we can get the 160 acers of zimmel land in cape to it might be somewhat close to what we had years ago

This is the best news ever!

Is this going to be privately owned or county? Not that it really matters.

Will there be someone there that can write tickets and keep the idiots from doing donuts in the parking area? When they open this area, they really need to have police there writing lots of tickets so that the trouble makers will go elsewhere plus the message will get out that that kind of crap will not be tolerated. The last thing you want to do is get bad press and have the environmentalist wacko's jumping on this. Once that happens, you will see closures. Just my two cents if it's worth that.

give him a break man. he just got you a place to ride. it will take him 5 hours to answer all this crap. wait til they get a website or they open.

You can't expect people to not be excited and ask questions. We have no place to ride over here.

i aprecciate all ur hard work thurmud  YOU R THE MAN!!  R U RUNNING IN 08 FOR PRESIDENT  YOU GOT MY VOTE!!   RIDE HARD OR GO HOME

I second the motion!  :bow.gif :ThumbsUp.gif

THRUMUD FOR PRESIDENT!  HOORAY!  AND MANY THANKS.

even though i may never get to ride in the Lee county ohv park A BIG THANK YOU TO THRUMUD FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK THANX MAN!!!!!!

That is awesome  THRUMUD....thank you so much!

This will be great if its not overly restrictive. Aslo agree with others about some of the idot riders I ve seen and trash. Hopefully we can keep it after its open. I read California makes 3.2 Billion a year on OHV area use. Its about time Florida wakes up and sets aside some area for this kind of recreational use.  ;D

I heard L-Cross makes 3.1 Billion so they aren't far behind.  :P

Have you priced the sand rails they use in California? I see why they make 3.2 billion off of OHV. One forum I was on had sand rails starting at 40,000 up to 195,000. I'd say their market can afford a few fees when you spend that kind of money on leisure activities.

I would say that L-cross and C&R are about as good a vaue for the money as you can get and we are lucky to have them.

but over here that money is like 2 to 4 thousand dollars...

3.1 Billion divided by 1 event per month x 12 months per year = $258 milliion per event @ L-Cross? Does Ms. Pearce know about this?

It's kind of like buying a house in California compared to here. A $200,000 house here will cost you $200,000,000,000 in California.

640 acres

Nope, that's private own land / city land

No buggies No mud - just trails

No camping no cabins, Will be open from sunrise to sundown.  What days.... I don't know yet

County owned and operated.

According to the project manager, there will be some form of supervision.  Don’t know if county sheriff or park ranger.  There will be rules and regulation like any county park.  I don’t know all the rules yet.  Everyone must sign a waiver upon entrance.   

LOL, not for president - city commissioner maybe

You have my vote!

Guys, I won't take any credit for the opening of this OHV.  I will admit I have been on top of park & rec about the issue, I've sent e-mails to city officials, been keeping in touch with the OHV Advisory Committee (John Waldron)
Getting dealers involved, passing flyers at hot spots on weekends, keeping in touch with other user groups ( atvmiaxtreme riders, North Port Off road ) posting updates and articles on this site - basically … I’ve just been involved and that’s what an ATV enthusiast is all about.   To me, ATV riding is not just a recreation …it’s a part of my life.
Ask a Harley rider what riding his / her Harley is about, and they’ll tell ya. 

Rick V. aka (lswjth2 on this site) I met him at the Collier County rally a few months back.  If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be so politically involved.  He is the voice when it comes to the media, and local news articles about the use of ATVs in South West Florida and Miami. When ever there is an ATV issue, he’s there !   If anyone deserves the credit for representing us, fighting the SWFMD, communicating with county and government agencies, it’s this man.  Thanks Rick

On Sept 28th at the OHV ADVISORY COMMITTEE, LEE COUNTY PARKS & REC (Fred Johnson) will provide us all the info about the park.  Please guys try to be there.

Where?

Excellentay! Keep the goofballs away. Jolly good show thrumud! :T

Oh by the way, I can double up and not wear a helmet can't I?  :Y

I would think that they would require helmets.

Please be advised that the next OHV Committee Meeting will be September 28, 2006 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Lee County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the meeting at the City of Palms Park which is the spring training grounds for the Boston Red Sox.  The City of Palms Park is located at 2201 Edison Avenue, Ft Myers.  We will be meeting in the Press Dinning room on the 3rd Floor.  The meeting is scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (promptly).  Due to the possibility of a large number of attendees at this meeting we will not break for lunch, but work straight through until 2:00 pm.  (In addition, there will be a grant review sub-committee meeting the night before (September 27th) at 6:00 pm at a location to be named later).

 

Highlights of the regular OHV meeting will include approving the recommendations of new OHV grants: discussion of the new ATV riding law Chapter 316.2123, F.S.; strategic planning for the OHV program; current status of the OHV program and possible sites; and public input.  A draft agenda is attached for your review.

 

The OHV Committee Meetings are scheduled quarterly and are conducted at various geographic locations in Florida.  This is an excellent time for interested parties in south Florida to attend.  These meetings are designed primarily to identify and help develop legal areas for the public to ride ATVs and Off-Highway Motorcycles in Florida while safeguarding public and privates lands from illegal riding activities.

 

Please make sure you have this on your calendar and call me if you have any questions.   

 Dennis
239-464-8737

No double up, about the helmets I was told that anyone under the age of 16 must wear a helmet, boots and goggles.  Minors under the age of 16 must be with parent or gardian at all times. 

I am happy for yall, thats cool, I guess I still need to look for places to ride.  :)

How did this all get started? We need help up here in N. FL.

There have been 3 recent attempts up here in N. FL that have been shot down. One was for a designated riding area in a old rock pit area on the outside edge of Lake City. That was voted down.

Then there was the possibility of allowing legal riding on some designated county dirt roads. That was voted down this week.

I have friends in an ongoing current legal battle with a non-resident property owner preventing them from opening a privately owned public 80 acre atv/motorcross park.

I'll bet that the Columbia County officials in Lake City did not know they could make money with this?

Teej

Want help ???? Contact John Waldron from the OHV Advisory Committee. They will help, but you MUST do your part.

 John C. Waldron

Forest Recreation Coordinator

850/414-9852

 

Thanks to all who have made this come to light, Dennis , Rick and all invloved.

I wish Sarasota or Desoto county would wake up......but we havent givin up yet

Se ya on the 28th

Today is the 28th, I have seen nothing on the web or the news as of yet. I can't wait!

"No double up, about the helmets I was told that anyone under the age of 16 must wear a helmet, boots and goggles.  Minors under the age of 16 must be with parent or gardian at all times." 

Everyone should wear a helmet. No age decides how bad your head injurys will be.

How many acres is this suppose to be? Is this an area out by the airport?

Teej

it was supposed to be announced today, I haven't heard anything. has anybody else?

Did this deal fall apart on this new park? I have seen and heard nothing more about it.

please post info in regards to whom we can speak to in order to help with the building of this ohv area(signs,maybe heavy equipment,volunteerwork)or ,any other ideas that will help make it a great place for all thanks you can count me in for help

I would be willing to help as well.

Ummm, it's starting to look like this was all a big joke.

640 ACRES

I will inform the project manager.  PM me your number

Shotgun, it's no joke. Sorry I did not reply, I was out of town. The location of the park will be near the county line of Hendry and Lee off SR82.

Cool, thats a relief, I haven't ridden in so long. I appreciate the update!

I will let the project planner know

I will post more info in a couple of weeks, keep checking this post !

I though when the 28th came you would spill the beans. Now we have to wait a few more weeks?

i hate to be the ahole but someone must. i just google earthed the spot that must be the site they will use and it just reminded me how little 640 acres is. i then became disapointed knowing that this spot will not be worth going to and how we all have accepted losing our freedom. im guilty. i didnt stand up like i should've. i hope you folks on the southwest will enjoy this spot. it should be nice for a few hours. once again, i apologize for any offense taken to my comments.

L-cross is 600 acres and it's a blast.

post your google earth link and let us see for ourselves...

Dude, I respect your input but when you have no where to ride, you really don't have a choice. We take what we can. If this goes well, other near by counties will open up more OHV parks. Believe it or not, you could make some long trails with 640 acres. The project planner has asked me for input on this project regarding trails.  I'll will do my best to assist the planner in making this park worth wild. On Google the sat image looks blur, you can't really make out the site. I will keep everyone updated on this project. 

Thanks for you support

well i never thought of it that way. thats a great attitude. also, i must have not seen the right spot. i was looking at the spot in hendry county just north of 82 right by the lee county border. i hope these spots become a trend like you said. that would be cool having a bunch of different spots vs. only one huge spot. you might be onto something...

As soon as I have a sat image, I will post it.  Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks 

seriously man id rather have a 100 acres to ride than nothing id be happy w/ a 20 acre field full of mudholes

I will be receiving  a sketch of how the park will look like.  The design is still preliminary and some of the trails may be redesign, but at least we’ll have an idea. I will scan the image and post it here.  Keep checking this post. All comments are welcome.

where????

Where is the map trail or where is the location ? 

Any updates on this new park?

I will contact the project planner this week and post any new info.

I guess the local Gov is waiting for a few more people to get killed to get this thing started. I am growing a little weary of waiting on them. Also notice, maybe a coincidence, but it is an election year. If they open it ,great, if not, vote them out of office. A park is a win win situation for all. The anti-ATVrs want us away from their homes , the Law Enforcement wants it, we need it, land is there. This should happen a lot quicker. If its legality they are claiming delays on. Its same as they local skate parks! Keep at it anyway , but Iam not holding my breath or getting excited about it.

hope they have someone there to patrol for people who don't know how to use a trash can

any updates on the park

Looks like this park is going the way of Mickey Rosado.

whats the word with this park?

it must be a dead project they dont want to give up any land they could sell for more sub divisions to bring in more snowbirds.

GUYS ... THE PARK IS IN THE WORKS.  FRED JOHNSON FROM LEE PARK & REC WILL CONTACT ME IN A FEW WEEKS WITH UPDATES.  Sorry I have'nt been on top of this topic.  Been busy working on the Collier County issues.  PROMISE that the minute I get the info, I will post it

 just moved to lee co. from maryland untill this park opens any other good places to ride within a hour of ft myers. are there any local clubs ?  8) 8) 8) 8)

Sorry but I don't know of any spots that are legal to ride w/in an hour of there.  If you like Mx tracks there are more of them across the state but I don't think any are in an hour.  As for general trail riding we have Croom (I75 & 50), Ocala further north, and Osceola up near the state line. 

The closest Legal places would be Holey Lands, Big Cypress, or Seminole MX

Does anyone know the size of the parks? I know there is the temporary park in Immokalee at 100+ acres and the one that SWFWM is supposed to have for Collier county at 600+ acres. Is Lee county same size, bigger, or are these two site considered the Lee County site?

Nevermind about the size... found the 640 acres.

Is this the 600+ acres promised to Collier County or are they considering two separate 600+ acre parks?




Also, an option in Google Earth you can save the image as a .jpg.  Just find the area, then go under file, save image, then post the area online for all to see.

any updates???? ;D

Called Lee Parks & Rec today 3/20/07 waiting to hear from them.  Things are going slow it seems. Will keep you posted. check back.

Keep us posted, thanks!

Just to keep you guys up to date ----

At the last OHV meeting in Miami John Waldron from DOF said that Lee County got a $700,000 grant money to start the project off. At the meeting in Ft Myers 3 months later Fred Johnson from Lee County Parks & Rec showed up at the meeting with maps and plans and mentioned its up and going. Last time I spoke with him (2 months ago) he said something that just did not make any sense to me, He said that a meeting was held with county commissioners to approve the grant.  WTF - At the meeting the committee said Lee county got it. He also said Ray Judah ( Lee County Commissioner also an environmental extremist ) said "not in my back yard" while the other commissioners agreed. Since then I haven't heard anything.  Well, now it's time to stir some drama. I will contact John Waldron regarding the 700,000 grant money. Show up at parks & rec and have a chat with ole Mr. Johnson.

TO BE CONTINUE ....... Check back !

Red, the more parks the better even if they are a few miles apart or a county away. 

He also said Ray Judah ( Lee County Commissioner also an environmental extremist ) said "not in my back yard" while the other commissioners agreed

See this is a problem! and they wonder why we do end up riding in peoples back yards ::)
They have got to lose this piss poor anti atv attitude, or I want my money back that I paid to have my bikes registered in FL. all 7 of them!  Sorry just venting :o SO fusterating :'(

Just because Gay ray doesn't like atv's he thinks he speaks for everyone.

 Exactly! :-*

 hey been to the yucapen lately, or is that a definite no go?

it's all done out there.

That's what I figured, I suppose I will just keep riding in a circle on my driveway  :banghead.gif

Yucca Pens is actualy part of the Babcock Webb WMA ....Use of motorcycles or ATVs is prohibited.

Here is a link for that WMA

http://myfwc.com/recreation/babcock_webb/visitorinfo.asp (http://myfwc.com/recreation/babcock_webb/visitorinfo.asp)

Exactly, that's why I was asking.  1200 acres split between two counties is better than 600... But 600 is better than nothing. ;D

Just didn't want to get my hopes up thinking we were getting two parks if the 600+ acres that was promised for Collier is the same 600+ acres that they are promising for Lee. I wouldn't mind one bit if they could fine 500 to 1000 acres in every county in Florida. ;)

where is lee county

Fort Myers is the major city of Lee and it's between Collier (Naples) and Charlotte County (Port Charlotte) on the Southwest coast of Florida.

I drove by there yesterday, signs everywhere, and fences too.

It's shut down.

Im moving To Lehigh Acres in a month :(. I hope theres somewhere to ride..

You will be close to C&R!

move]So whats happening with the new ATV park??????[[/b][/move]

????????????????????????????  anybody!

The whole this is right in the toilet.

Took a while but I got an update. The whole thing is at a stand still for right now.

Fred Johnson the project planner for the Lee County OHV park said ---->



Good morning:

 

Many of you have mailed me comments and questions regarding the proposed OHV park project.  I hope this will clarify the situation for you.

 

The land on which we were planning to create the OHV Park is not under the control of Lee County Parks, or indeed, Lee County. Since the meeting last Fall, several issues (not directly related to OHV use) arose and the use of the land was denied (perhaps temporarily). We are currently working to resolve this dilemma.

 

John Waldron and the Division of Forestry contributed $70k and OTG contributed about $440k as grants to Lee County for the ATV Park development. Lee County, at this time, has no land on which to build the park and since the grants are tied to a specific piece of property, Lee County has been unable to accept the grants. We have asked for and been permitted an extension on the time limit for accepting the grants.  In the meantime, Lee County is examining several possibilities to acquire the appropriate amount of land for the OHV facility. If we can make this happen, the grants can be accepted by Lee County. In terms of a timetable, we are working toward resolving issues within the next several months.

 

At this point there is nothing for you to do. When we acquire the land, Lee County Parks will be calling on you for your support. I shall keep you posted.

 

 

Fred Johnson

Planning Manager

Lee County Parks and Recreation

3410 Palm Beach Boulevard

Fort Myers, Florida 33916

 

239 461 7474

 

Amazing, you can't have a few trails through the woods because it harms the environment, but you can level 10,000 acres and put up condos.

This is all bull$hit! They didn't know from the beginning that it wasn't Lee County land???????  Yea right!  Someone pulled the plug on the OHV park.  Politians do what the people with lots of money tell them to do. So until we get some rich backers we will have to keep on getting harassed when we are out ridding.

Ray Judah, commissioner for Lee County is the most ignorant MF that there is !

This is the pr!ck who said "No ATVs in my back yard" He's a major tree hugger, this is the guy we have to battle. All other commissioners have no problem with an OVH Park in Lee County.

VOTE HIM OUT OF OFFICE.............

i moved to lehigh this past weekend. ive been riding around and found some pretty nice trails. no cops either. i stay away from houses though lol.

I know where Ray lives, maybe we need to get a couple hundred local rides to load up their quads and other toys and just drive real slow around his neighborhood and downtown Ft Myers to get their attention about what is NOT happening. If we all just drive slow and congest the area we might make the news!  Just a thought!

PS, he lives in a gated community off of Mc Gregor, so they'll never be in his backyard anyway.

Since it's been over a year since this thread was started I figured I'd check up on the status. I got this email from Fred Johnson today:


Oh, by the way, this is my first post here. I've been lurking since I bought my bike back in 04 (04 2wd Rancher ES).

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/19/plans_collier_atv_park_stalled/

As far as "acquiring land" goes, Lee County owns 1,215 contiguous acres right off of SR 82 out towards Alabama. It looks like it's mostly pasture land from the aerial, but it's out of the way, and surrounded by orange groves & land owned by Florida Rock, so there's not many houses nearby.

The county bought a rhino today to work out at the collier park.  From what the lady told me it would be open in December.  I was kinda giving her a hard time making comments about the prarie and she was actually really cool and sympathetic to our cause.  I'm not positive about where this is or what the details are.  Just letting you know that something might actually be happening.  I say if nothing is done by January we take badluck back by force.  No more messing around.  A promise is a promise.  How long ago was the deadline?  Years?

Old thread - but this dirt bag is running again, nows the time to vote him out!