ATV Florida Forum

Below is a press release about a project that has received funding from the title registration money.

 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   MEDIA CONTACT:
Edith Torres
305-755-7862
 
MIAMI-DADE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH COLLIER COUNTY AGENCIES TO PLAN A RECREATIONAL AREA TO INCLUDE OHV TRAILS
 
MIAMI-DADE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A “T. MARK SCHMIDT OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION PROGRAM GRANT” FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES, DIVISION OF FORESTRY, FOR PLANNING OF THE PARK
 
(MIAMI, July 9, 2009) – Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department has proposed to jointly develop with Collier County, a conservation park that includes fishing, camping, field archery, and trails for hikers and off-highway vehicles (OHVs).  Miami-Dade Parks received the T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program Grant, administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Forestry, in the amount of $72,000 with a Parks Department match of $18,000 from its Capital Outlay Reserve Fund, to conduct a site feasibility analysis for development of the OHV trails and supporting amenities.
 
The site being considered for the recreation area is located adjacent to the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County on a portion of 23,000 acres of land owned by the Miami-Dade Aviation Department, and used for the Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport. The proposed recreation area, referred to as the Dade Collier Cypress Recreation Area, is planned on 1,608 acres south of the existing airport at 54575 East Tamiami Trail, near Mile Marker 48, and would feature OHV trails, hiking and biking trails, field archery lanes, fishing areas, a visitor’s center, limited stay camping areas, and parking. 
 
In support of this effort, Miami-Dade Parks submitted a land-use amendment to Collier County and the approval process should last one year.  The project was presented to the Collier County Commission and the Big Cypress National Preserve Off-Road Vehicles Advisory Committee and received a positive response.  Due to the site’s natural resources, and its location within the Big Cypress area of critical state concern, more extensive local, state, and federal permitting is necessary prior to development.  Environmental permitting generally takes two-and-a half years, following the land-use approval process.  Once all approvals are received, development of the park can begin as early as 2012. 
 
Supporters of the park include outdoor recreation advocates, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and motorbike trail-rider groups, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 12, Jose “Pepe” Diaz, and Collier County Commissioner for District 5, Jim Colletta. 
 
"This will be a great park for both the residents of Miami-Dade County and Collier County who have been asking for a place where they can safely ride their off-highway vehicles,” said Commissioner Diaz.  “And this project will ensure the preservation and enhancement of the ecosystem, not only making OHV/ATV riders happy but also being environmentally sensitive,” he added.
 
“This has been a long anticipated project for Miami-Dade Parks,” said Jack Kardys, Director of Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department.  “We have been working with OHV clubs and individuals for quite some time now to be able to provide them with a great park where they can not only ride their ATVs, but also have other experiences to enjoy while outdoors,” he added.
 
This project was made possible by funding support received from the T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program Grant administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – Division of Forestry.
 
Miami-Dade Parks creates outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance our community for this and future generations.
 
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To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-365-6706.
 
 

sounds like an expensive feasibility project($90,000.00).
words like "plan" and statements like "Once all approvals are received, development of the park can begin as early as 2012.". i'm not trying to be a pesamist but the truth is they can care less about us. what happened with the squares and the "proposed "100 acres. i aint bitin'.

I might be dead by 2012

Yea, this looks like more typical political BS unless the $90K they're spending on the Feasibility Study includes plans, surveys, permits, etc.  However, the posibility of having a large ATV park on that site is encouraging for those of us living in south FL.  I'm guessing there are many good people doing their best to make this happen.

Hats off to Miami Dade P&R for staying the course and not giving up.....they have been working on a OHV location for over 3 years now...as with any government program it takes time.

Hopefully this park will become a reaillity before my son is grown.

MARK MY WORDS!!!!!!!! This place will be a couple of marked rockroad trails with a 10 mph speed limit. I hope im wrong and its the best place ive ever been to. I got the feeling this is gonna be one of those, well theirs a place to ride an ATV! I have been to the place even on the dryest drought and its still a foot under water. I hope this place satisfies all that have been waiting years!!!!!!!!                                                                                     

Here's my take on this.

1st a big THANK YOU to Grizz for all your hard work, THANK YOU!

This place is currently a legal place to ride with about 48,000 acres once they make this a "parK" you will have lost about 46 or 47k acres of this land. You now have dispersed use allowed,once this goes in, if ever at all, you will be limited to riding on a lime rock road and not be allowed to leave these trails. I honestly doubt that this will happen as a park in our lifetime, SFWMD had stated to the Collier county comission that the permitting process would be challenging at best. I urge anyone that likes to ride in the water and mud to start using this place as it's legal, maybe you can start making your own trails and then ask that these be part of the trail system?