Mecca Farms ATV SITE,Palm Beach POST SAID HOOK FOR A STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mudneck]

Hello everyone.
New to site & just spent a ton of money for 2 2005 Prairie 700's for my wife and I and couple generic quads for my two young daughters.Not to mention a trailer & gear to get them around on.Why did we have to register these? We dont even have a  local area to ride.Read on!

A little background for me;
I am a Florida lic.Realtor,I own investment properties and have a business & small nursery in Palm Beach County.I fish ride waverunners Quads & my family loves outdoor stuff.Sort of non traditional we dont play golf,do organized sports go to the pools or the Y.So why cant we ride?

Why not give us a place to ride?We got pulled over sunday in Loxahatchee when we went for a low speed family ride.Got read the statute warned & were told to go home.I guess all the negtive press from the few rebel gun toten beer guzzling off roaders & 4 wheelers got every one all excited again for a few weeks so we will have to lay low for a while.

Idea:
I need support am not good with typing & words but have a desire to obtain a LEGAL riding area close by for US to enjoy.I was so pissed off about Sunday couldnt sleep,my mind stared racing and came up with this.

Mecca farms site is already bought by the county,enviromentalist squashed the building of Scripps.Why couldnt we use it for a ATV park? The county could fence off the wetlands and other enviromentally sensative areas even charge an annual and or per visit $5 per rider.Strict rules about alcohol,speed limits in parking areas etc could be imposed and failure to adhere could result in removal from park.It is just acres of dirt there is nothing that could be destroyed.They could have us sign waivers for every liability they could think of.This place is perfect!What would it take to bulldoze some hills dig some mud pits grade some trails set up a motocross track etc.I think the infastructure is there for them to hook up restrooms.They could even build a ATV pressre wash station charge for washes like a carwash.Set up a food stand etc. It would be a revenue maker for the county!Provide some extra jobs. It is far away from homes should not be a noise problem tons of parking the possibilities are endless!!!!!


Please respond with other suggestions to make this happen!We need to get state reps e-mails the governor,county and state officials,etc..Please lets organize this properly.From what I have read this Forum is about trying to keep a recreation alive that is on the endangered list.I need some help to figure out how to get this in the works. I know there are other interest here,cops,lawyers,doctors,county employees etc.If we ALL swarm the PBC commisioners, NEWS,papers,Local bike dealerships,manufacturers Motorcycle and Quad type magazines clubs etc...EVERYONE! with our intentions this could work.We should get all the above info together and set a date for a mass e-mail,letter writing campaign and top it off with a MECCA farms protest date .At the very least it could make a STATE wide or even nation wide cry for help and attention to this cause.

If there is anyone with ties to a manufacturer maybe even a sponsorship,they have the most to gain and loose.If people cant ride & stop buying parts from breakdowns upgrades and equipment they would make or loose alot more revenue.Especially if they showed concern after there product rolled out of the showrooms!

Best regards,
Werner

PS: I HAVE READ ALOT ABOUT PROTEST RIDES ALONG INTERSTATE ETC.TOO DANGEROUS AND SHOWS IRRESPONSIBILITY.

WHAT ABOUT A SCHEDULED DATE AT THE SCRIPPS SITE FOR A PROTEST? WE COULD LOOK INTO PROPER PERMITS ETC.This area would be a place to invite the media,official etc for a public on site Q&A session.Plus if they say it wont work we as tapayers have the right to know why and a right to request an alternate out of the way site for our hobby.

Now thats off my chest maybe I can go to sleep now!

[GSPKurt]

I think it's an excellent idea. As a realtor, you would probably have the knowledge and contacts to move forward with this.

[bigscrub79]

We have a protest scheduled. It was promised land and we are trying to get it back, a little at a time.
http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,10730.0.html

[kawGIRL]

I here you, have thought about it already.  The Environmental Reports won't be done for another 2 1/2 years and you can bet that land will not be touched until then.  I really don't think the County will consider this just because of the Liability.  27 years ago we were associated with wealthy individual that organized and built a skateboard park in WPB after it was built it turned over to the county to run and everything was awesome until someone got hurt, even though waivers were signed the county got sued and the park closed 

I don't want to be/sound negative about this in anyway, I live in NPB and we drive 80 miles to ride our bikes  and there is NO places to ride in PBC anymore    My husband and I grew up 4 wheeling at the Juno Dunes,  Air Force Beach and anywhere west of the Turnpike or behind our houses, there were always a place to ride.

Awhile back we had the same idea about opening a ATV Park on private land.  We were going to get a citrus farmer or a rancher to lease us the land.  We had our eye on a piece that was on the St. Lucie Canal that we wanted to buy and had thought we could have a Cross county, MX, camping area, and kids area and also rent wave runners and have a store, etc.  But things did not pan out someone bought the land before we could get together any backers.  We ended up racing in the FTR just so we have a place to ride. 

I work at an Environmental Consulting Company in Jupiter and I have a few contacts with the County/State.

Also I'm going to post this next bit in the thread about protesting......Governor Bush will be at the "New" Okeechobee Courthouse on February 17th  for a meet and greet with the public.  If anyone has issue to discuss with the Gov. the doors open at 7am and you have to sign-up for your spot to voice your issues about "anything"  I just spoke with the commissioners office.

[Mudneck]

I would like to go to the meeting.Is anyone else up to the early drive?I am sure they screen the topics.Wouldnt it be great to get a group there super early and everyone talk about the ATV issue?

I like the idea about a private park and would like to look into setting one up with a small group of investors.How many acres would be enough? Again the enviromental issues would have to be hashed out. It wouldnt be long that someone cried & ATV Gestapo closed it down.Look at all the fines from Mudfest or Bamboo fest.You just cant own land and do what you want with it.

I guess for now we will start looking for people to go to Okechobee with for group rides.Went a few weeks ago & had a good time.The local law is passive as long as you stay off the bikes while you cross pavement.Otherwise all else is good.

[americanhighlander]

You should check north florida land prices in lake city,live oak,
wellborn,mcalpin,obrein,branford,mayo.

We could use a atv park in thoses areas even a
big atv park that charge to get into gate.I know other states
do that.

[kawGIRL]

You should check north florida land prices in lake city,live oak,
wellborn,mcalpin,obrein,branford,mayo.

We could use a atv park in thoses areas even a
big atv park that charge to get into gate.I know other states
do that.

Hummmmmm? We don't live in North Florida 

[Mudneck]

TRUE I am into a mid to south location myself.......

 Anyways a sign of promise.E-mail I sent to PB POST about ATV park from reg $$ & no new land to be found in southern areas for our sport .

RESPONSE BELOW STAFF WRITER......Perhabs in a few weeks we can respectfully overwelm  (her/him dont know from the name.....)e-mail with tactfull well manicured protest from responsible riders??

************************************************************

Not a bad idea -- will put it on my list.
Drop another note and bug me if you don't hear back from me in a few weeks ....

--
Mitra Malek
Western Communities Growth Reporter
Palm Beach Post
561-820-3627
mmalek@pbpost.com

************************************************************
 

Bushwack@bellsouth.net wrote:

Hello Mitra Malek, Another article to help put a nail in the coffin for legitimate ATV riders who ride as a family and are responsible and courteous to others. We moved out to the acerage for the rural life 6 months ago from Lake Worth,away from traffic & crime.Now with the Gallery Judge orange groves up for sale it is even going to pack more of these zero-lot line houses up in what is supposed to be a rurual area! I purchased ATV's for my family to ride around our area.We even needed to purchase a vehicle registration from which the proceeds were supposed to go toward opening more public land for ATV enthusiasts.Did you ever consider writing an article how these ATV's are oversold with no new public land opening for riding.It is not fair for those of us who want to pursue this as a family recreation.Milions are spent to build golf courses,tennis centers,and other public recreation areas why not the same for a 10-20 acre ATV park? Legitimate riders would love to have a place to go without worrying about trespass & tickets! I would even pay a fee to ride there with my family.Check the numbers of the ATV's purchased and where is the money going around $32 per ATV to register it?Something not right there.

Best Regard'sWerner Weigt
561 317-8023

[Mudneck]

That previous post e-mail sent was in refute of the post article they wrote on 2-1-06

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

LOXAHATCHEE — A few tacked-up signs might have stopped months of stress, sleepless nights and vandalism in a Loxahatchee neighborhood.

Every weekend, rowdy trespassers descend on dozens of undeveloped acres at 59th Lane and 200 Trail North, setting fire to the trees they've felled after tearing across the land with noisy all-terrain vehicles. Residents say the revelers shoot off guns and come onto their property long enough to leave behind beer bottles and steal parts off cars.

Neighbors say they've called authorities, but Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies have done little because they need permission to enter private property.

"It's like we're forgotten out here," said Patti Albritton, whose property backs up to the land. That worries her. Last month, after enduring hours of noise, she awoke to find her thoroughbreds loose. Someone had opened their stall, and two Budweiser bottles were inside. She moved the horses to a friend's property — in Alabama.

Dalco Properties, which owns part of the land, has not put up "no trespassing" signs from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, although the Boca Raton company filed a trespass affidavit several months ago. The affidavit allows law enforcement to make arrests, but the signs must be up, sheriff's Lt. David Kronsperger said.

Dalco's agent, Ledger Kellier, said he thought everything was done when he sent in the authorization.

The lapse in communication has led to mild attempts to oust the crowds.

"We warn them; they leave; then the next weekend, other groups come up," Kronsperger said. "We're trying to get results."

Residents aren't so sure. They say the deputies have stopped coming out and that dispatchers aren't happy to hear from them.

Resident thingy Macdonald has gone on the property several times to address the trespassers himself. "They listen," he said. "But they come back."

Residents say the motocross crowd has been using the property for years. It started small, when the land was thick with trees. Now the loud trucks come by the dozen. "It's all day, all night," Albritton said. "I might as well live in a zero-lot-line community, a college dorm."

They speculate that development pushed the four-wheeler crowd from where they rode before. Eventually that can happen here, too. Kellier said Dalco bought the land to build on it. A second property owner, Ramon Vilarino, owns adjacent land that the trespassers ride on as well. Vilarino could not be reached for comment.

The residents said they'll wait a little longer for the signs to go up and the activity to die down.

Otherwise they have a proposal for the landowners: Let residents lease the land for $1 a year, raise a cow on it and erect a fence.

"We'd have to pay for it ourselves," Albritton said. "But that's one way to do it."

[PBSO_ATV_Deputy_4]

Unfortunately, the article wasn't to far off in accuracy. While there are those of you who speculate, I was responding out there for reports of gunfire, criminal mischief, ect......In one case, we caught a guy shooting at clay pigeons with a shotgun as atvs were buzzing around on the then unposted property. Houses were well in range of the gunfire. These folks felt like they were under seige every weekend. People poured in by the truck loads and the damage is glaring. Despite efforts to get the word out, arrests were made and citations issued. Mr. Weigt, I was driving an unmarked 4X4 and may have been the deputy who pulled you over. I was enroute to back up my partner when I came across several ATVs operating on the roadway along 200th Lane N. I briefly stopped them, explained the law, the news article, and the fact it's a private community. I then told them to carefully take them home and left in a hurry. Sadly, there is nowhere to ride legally in this county unless you own property, have permission to be on private property, or go to the Rotenberger / Holey Land WMAs. Many people believe the dirt roads are ok/legal to ride on. It's important to understand, they are public roads and unlawful to ride on. This includes the sides of the road and the sidewalks. The enforcement in this area, and the Acreage as a whole is being increased due to citizen complaints, injuries and trespassing. I have not only posted it on this site, I have mentioned it to those I have stopped to push for an ATV park at Mecca. I hope for all of us that the county opens it's eyes and addresses the problem of no riding areas. This will make riders and their families happier, and my job much easier!!!

[PBSO_ATV_Deputy_4]

I've also noticed some confusion about "private" roads. By state law, for a road to be private, it has to be gated and/or properly posted. in other words, restricted access. Any road in this state that is accessable by the public 24/7, unrestricted, is considered a public road and enforceable. Whether or not you own out to the middle of the road(easement), or the county maintains it or not is irrevelant.

316.003(33)  PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY.--Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (53)(b), any privately owned way or place used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.

316.003(53)  STREET OR HIGHWAY.--

(a)  The entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic;

(b)  The entire width between the boundary lines of any privately owned way or place used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons, or any limited access road owned or controlled by a special district, whenever, by written agreement entered into under s. 316.006(2)(b) or (3)(b), a county or municipality exercises traffic control jurisdiction over said way or place

316.640 (2)(a)  The sheriff's office of each of the several counties of this state shall enforce all of the traffic laws of this state on all the streets and highways thereof and elsewhere throughout the county wherever the public has the right to travel by motor vehicle.

[Mudneck]

I am now more educated on the dirt road subject.If you were in the monster truck that was us you pulled over.My daughters had alot of questions when we got home!

After some research into PBC & State statutes and your posts  we are the wiser.Will it stop us from sunday rides,unfortunately yes.At least the girls can buzz around our yard.

You were very courteous & professional.Its not the Deputy its the morons who write and vote on the laws.The deputy comes to work with a task of enforcening those laws, just as you and I would do in a place of business or employment.

Lets keep after this maybe with some backing of Law enforcement and a strong lobbying effort we can get a south Florida location to ride legally.Besides we would all be coralled up and that would lessen the complaints and keep us happy.

bushwacked

[Mudneck]

BUMP see continuation.
http://www.atvflorida.com/forum/index.php/topic,11717.0.html

[customrubicon]

Well as some of you may remember, last year I use to schedule many rides in palm beach county. I probably know 90 % of the areas to ride in PB county. This includes how to access and park. I no longer do this because of the fact that it is illegal to ride in these areas and it gives the people trying to close all the legal areas an excuse. I have never had the pleasure to meet our deputy friends on these properties but I do respect them. I like many of you have been riding in this area for a long time. There are many areas and events within an hour to 2 hour drive.

[Mudneck]

Thats not the issue.(Although would like to meet w/you & go on rides) its the 1-2 hours away that sucks.The issue is we are being taxed via registrations & are being promised more land no matter where it is and its not happening.

Like selling Lotto for schools & yanking all the original funding..Thats what they are doing here.Collecting on registrations and Beauracrats see that as a cash flow area.The bottom line is at the end of the year they see  too much extra money in this area more than budgetted (they tend to forget where aLL THE EXTRA $$ CAME FROM)& cut away the original funding because it was needed elsewhere.sAME CRAP STARTED WITH lotto look at the balance sheets when it first started,look at them now they are so far behind they cant even keep up with inflation!

We need all riders to support there areas.We need a riding area in every damn county!PERIOD. How many golf,tennis,playgrounds,pools,nature areas???Total BS.

[Warrior]

I would like to go to the meeting.Is anyone else up to the early drive?I am sure they screen the topics.Wouldnt it be great to get a group there super early and everyone talk about the ATV issue?

I like the idea about a private park and would like to look into setting one up with a small group of investors.How many acres would be enough? Again the enviromental issues would have to be hashed out. It wouldnt be long that someone cried & ATV Gestapo closed it down.Look at all the fines from Mudfest or Bamboo fest.You just cant own land and do what you want with it.

I guess for now we will start looking for people to go to Okechobee with for group rides.Went a few weeks ago & had a good time.The local law is passive as long as you stay off the bikes while you cross pavement.Otherwise all else is good.

There is so much land in FL, I don't see why it couldn't be done. You would certainly need a large chunk though. Something like River Ranch would be great, it about 70-90k Acres...