ATV Florida Forum

This poll will be used at the next OHV meeting.  This poll is for a legal riding area with a trail system, not a MX track.  Please provide your comments if you wish.

Manatee county wasn't listed, but that is my vote.

This poll is blatantly unfair.  There are thousands of riders in Palm Beach County, unfortunately many of them appear iliterate (based on the volume of e-mails sent to commissioners) therefore they are unable to vote.  This will skew the vote in my opinion, I should be allowed to vote four times (once for each misspelled word here).

Saint Lucie county would be great , we were with in inches of having one already...2 years ago. The framework is already there..this should be a hands down winner.

I would agree with Joedirt, St Lucie Area seems to be the logical choice.

I'd like to see one in Palm Beach County. Right now we drive about an hour and a half to Holylands which is *fine*, but it just is too long of a drive and too much gas to do it alot. Not to mention it's hunting season right now. Something in between St. Lucie and PBC would be great.

Palm Beach County area :Y

BREVARD reopen the black hole that would rock the county should buy up all the land out there [that they dont already own] its already set up n every thing

Keep the votes and comments coming !

I live in Pinellas county but I would say palm beach desperately needs a riding area even though I would never drive that far to ride,2nd choice would probably be manatee cause it pretty close to me

I will try to request the OHV Committee to have a meeting near PSL OR WPB after the Ocala meeting but I still need votes.

In Broward off of US27 and Griffin Rd would be the perfect place for an OHV park with trails.  Its part of the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA.  That's where everyone rode back in the 80's and then it was closed off because someone got injured on FPL's property and sued.  FWC runs it so it would be up to them ultimately.  If Airboats are allowed back there so should ATV's.

I know exactly where that is.  My brother lived in South West Ranches and we used to ride from Dykes to Holiday Park on our ATVs.  Some of that area is private property.  There is a buffer between US-27 and the Everglades, in between where the power lines run, FPL owns that stretch. To get that location you would have to get all property owners, property managers to agree. It would be a pain in the azz. According to Broward Sheriff Office, that’s off limits.   

My suggestions aren't anywhere on the list.  I'd say somewhere between I75 and I95 central to the state and between Polk County and Charlotte Counties on the north to south boundary.  I don't know the east coast counties or I'd have listed them as well.

I guess I'll vote Naples out of default but that's still over 2 hrs from me.  So the closest riding area from Sarasota is still 2 hrs away.  Which happens to be my camp and it's free to use the acreage that is larger than any place in the state other than ONF.

Brevard County.  I agree with Muddy Buddy.  Open the "Hole in the Doughnut"....AKA "Black Hole"  It's in Palm Bay.  Centrally located with respect to the entire east coast of FL. Lots of vacant land with a significant portion of it owned by the city of Palm Bay, as captured as part of the General Development Corp. bankruptcy.  Would be a great place to develop a trail system. 


For you Google Earthers and GPS folks here are the coordinates: 

27 deg 56' 43.36" N    80 deg. 42' 17.69" W

2nd Choice would be Port St. Lucie

ALL OF THEE ABOVE!!
but like someone else said I'm in pinellas so manatee would be nice .The  more places available to ride the better for all of us.

Palm Beach, all the way!

I say either Palm Beach or Port St. Lucie.  If we have a place in Broward near 27 the only thing it could be is mud riding which doesn't really work for me.  Besides, Broward already has the Holey Lands.  If we were to have one in Port St. Lucie I think there would be more opportunities for a larger OHV park since there is more land available and its not overpopulated like Miami Dade and Broward Counties.  Less people complaining about the noise.

At our last meeting, John Waldron from the Department of Forestry advised all of us to do our part by searching for potential land around Florida for an ATV park. Try to identify land that is state, county, or city owned. There are two ways to do this, one is to go to your county’s zoning department and ask for a “future land use map”. This map will identify areas that are residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.  What to look for … Try to identify open land away from residential areas and protected areas. These maps will also identify county land; this is the land to look for. The other way is to use a county's GIS system, but this can become complicated for some. The OHV committee can only assist us on public land not private. Remember the only way we can get these areas open to OHV use is by grants from the state. The OHV committee acts as a middle man.  So, if you know of a potential site, make a note of it and e-mail it to me or present it at the next OHV meeting. The committee will then look into the site and do their research. This is not an over night process, it could take a few years but no more than two years.

Good point

You said there were two ways to do this, you mentioned one, whats the other?

 The OHV committee can only assist us on public land not private.



I'll do some more research with this criteria. The Palm Bay site could be an issue due to private ownership spotted in this area.

i think you got the black holes mixed up. the one muddy buddy is talkin bout is not in palm bay but in cocoa/psj. i agree anywhere in brevard county. perferably cocoa but palm bay would be ok too.

Sorry Sleazy, got tied up on the topic.  I just modified it.

Public land only

same

Third

It only makes sense to go to Glades County or Hendry county. Still basically untouched and can be there in an hour from either coast. Land is way cheaper than by the coast. You may have to dodge alligators though.

What about Martin County in between we have alot of property out west the state already owns like Dubois Park off SR 76 or the big ranch out off 714 by Underhills place these property have no use now except horse riding, hiking ,and hunting with special permits plus like i said its in between the 2 most popular votes right now.

I live in Broward so i would like to see one in broward but PBC would be ok too.  really as long as i have a place to ride with out the cops bothering me and having to wait for the various mudfests

somewhere between cocoa orlando n melbourne[brevard county] theres nowhere in brevard or even close to brevard besides holopaw n land out there gettin steep or what about the compound in palm bay

Martin County is the MOST strict county in the state. But never say never.  Search for County land.

  Most of Hendry & Glades is agricultural owned by farmers, meaning private land owners. I’m not saying there is no public land but I’ll do a search. Good one thanks.

Broward has run out of land to build on, I don't think they will reserve a place for us to ride.

brevard would be great if you need county cooperation. half the people in brevard ride. especially in canaveral groves/cocoa/psj/titusville/mims/scottsmore area. down south there are less but......... im all for brevard county. ill be at every meeting and all that.

I am not familiar with those counties but if you provide me the entire county own land I will have someone research it.  I will also mention these areas at the Ocala meeting but I need maps, locations etc.

brevard county is on the east coast directly east of orlando. how would we get the info you need?

Do some research on county land and bring it all to the meeting in Ocala. I will back you up.

i tried google and couldnt find anything!!!! :'( >:(

Go to your county's zoning department, ask one of the officials for a future land use map ( it may cost around 15 bucks ). The map will identify current land use, you can also go to your county's "property appraisers web site" and identify if the land is public or private.  Do a Google search type  "Brevard County property appraisers" or "Brevard County GIS"  

let me try and I will post the link. Give me a few minutes.

http://www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com/  THEN - Click "Maps Search" THEN accept the terms, zoom in about two times and check off "Aerial"  Fiddle with it.

Martin County does suck but i just told you of 2 places the state owns its public land not county isn't that what your looking for?? And both are 1000's of acres.

Realisticly I would like to see an OHV park in all the listed areas. Having many parks will creat an income for the surounding town. Riders will want to visit the different parks.

Broward has run out of land to build on, I don't think they will reserve a place for us to ride.
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I live in Broward as well, and ditto to the above.  I think Palm Beach would be good for a few reasons; 1) location, it's really not that far of a drive for Dade and/or Broward, and not bad for people just north of the Palm Beach.  2) A lot more land in PB than Broward  3) Just like Palm Beach!!!! ;)

I live in Broward as well, and ditto to the above.  I think Palm Beach would be good for a few reasons; 1) location, it's really not that far of a drive for Dade and/or Broward, and not bad for people just north of the Palm Beach.  2) A lot more land in PB than Broward  3) Just like Palm Beach!!!! ;)
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Way to be a team player ;D

Is there any way you can map the area and e-mail it to me, I will have the committee look into it.
dennis@paramountfl.com

I'm gonna go with "D", all of the above.

Well as you know, that is the committee's goal.  This is not an over night process, this will take a few years. The time to start is NOW before real estate prices start to rise and developers continue to buy land all over Florida.

I still haven't given up hope regarding Mecca Farms in Palm Beach County.  Perhaps with the backing of the OHV committee, a dialogue could begin.  The Commissioners have no interest in dealing individually with a few ATVers.  Perhaps an organizational approach with the possibility of Grant monies might be more enticing to them.

By and large Mecca Farms would be an ideal location.

Perfect !  You said it best !   Rick Varela from Naples and I have tried to set up meetings with individuals that love this recreation, and guess what ... Just a hand full show up.  I personally think that we are not well organized as a user group to battle local government officials, that’s why we need the OHV committee. Below is some information on what the OHV committee can do for us.  These guys are the ones to tackle the hard task.

Please check out this link http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_recreation/ohv_appendix.html

If someone would please tell me where MECA FARMS is, send me a map or link. I keep hearing about this location alot.  I will like to send this to the committee.

at the end of seminole pratt whitney road across the street from Corbit wildlife area south west entrance.  basicly mecca farms starts north of 100th lane north on the east side of pratt whitney till pratt whitney ends. btw.. seminole pratt is the road that the star is on running north and south.  I believe it boarders part of lake park marsh.. the PBSO deputy that posts here might know the boarders better..


http://beta.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=US&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&addtohistory=&cat=&address=9557+seminole+pratt+whitney+rd&city=&state=fl&zipcode=33470

st. lucie for sure. there are a ton of people in this area that ride atvs in ft. pierce and vero. just about everyone and their brother has got a wheeler. st. lucie is about 45 mins from me in vero. and i am almost 100% positive that vero is the number one city for illegal riding of atvs. there are some good spots here but honestly i hear from people just about everyday getting caught by the cops or wild life guys or whoever drives the cop trucks for tresspassing or i know the people myself geting en trouble and i have had my fair share with run ins with the cops. just this past weekend we had to leave our normal riding spot which we thought was all right when someone decided to drag race on the road up front then run from the cops. he got caught and bike impounded. they had a tow truck up front and told everyone if they didnt load up immediatly they were gunna start arresting people and putting their bikes on the trucks.

Is it very wet out there ? Is this Government property ? Are ther any private owners in side there area ?

Imagine an ATV park there !!!!   Good Lord !   That area would be great, even if they were to give 1/4 of it. Has anyone tried to obtain this area for an OHV park before ?

A spot in St Lucie would be great.  Based on your info, you guys really need to get it together and contact your county commissioners.  Someone needs to step up to the plate and tell these county officials that there is a problem and there needs to be a solution.  Lee County acknowledged the problem and said to themselves, it’s better to open a place than to have riders killed or trespassing on private property. 

To be honest, some of these county officials aren’t that bright.  Think about it, The county open an OHV park, they operate it – that’s revenue for the county. California has OHV parks that produce over 3 billion dollars a year. If you proposed this to a commissioner who is willing to listen to you and teach him a thing or two, trust me they will reconsider.  Some of these commissioners think they have to use county tax money, and they don’t.  There are grants !

Understand that there are several obstacles in opening an OHV park, it’s a long process….. Start now!  I can help along with the OHV committee to get the ball rolling but I can’t do it alone.  I am willing to travel at my own expense to help anyone. I mean it.

Were working on it..have an election coming up and have to get John Bruhn elected in as county commissioner in Saint Lucie County. Already have Ken Waters in now have to get John in..They both have agreed to revisit the ATV PArk issue. ;D ;D ;D

Thrumud ....  Sorry I did not attend the meeting in Ft. Myers. I got ill then my daughter, but whatever. Please inform me as to what happened there.

Palm beach would be a good location as for being some what central for many. Those of us from Dade, Monroe and broward that ride Holey Land make the drive for the most part already!

they built a retention pond by a major canal in the vary north west of it.  that's the only place i've been on that property. the land prob. holds some water during wet season  just like the corbit area next to it.   I doubt anyone has land inside it.   it is by far is the best spot in pb county due to how far houses and everything else is. there are a couple more places off b-line hwy that would come close..

This is great news, what ever happens - Don't Quit !

Sarasota/Manatee/Pinellas