All-Terrain Vandalism?

LUNENBURG -- A large metal gate at the entrance to a network of conservation trails off Pleasant Street has been forcefully opened so many times by people seeking to ride their all-terrain vehicles that it no longer latches, according to Conservation Commission Chairman Robert Verge.

"We put the gate up to prevent people from illegally taking their ATVs onto the trails," Verge said during a recent tour. "We used to put a lock on it, but people would cut the locks off. Now you can't even lock it."

Town officials are struggling to find solutions to an increase in damage caused to the town's trails by illegal ATV use.

"We have started documenting it," said Sharon Jordan, an associate member of the Conservation Commission.

"Most people you see on the trails will tell you they didn't realize they're on conservation land," Verge said. "Some will argue that as taxpayers they have a right to ride on the land."

A large part of the problem is that there are no areas in this region for people to legally ride their ATVs, unless they have permission from a private property owner, according to Selectmen Chairman Paula Bertram.

"I think educating people about safe and responsible ATV use is very important, but even with the education component, there is no place for people to ride here," she said. "You have to drive an hour away to get some place where you can ride them legally."

Bertram is a member of the Lunenburg Snow Riders, a group of avid snowmobilers who preach safe and responsible local riding. She said setting up a similar group for ATV riders probably wouldn't be as effective, because there are more areas where it's legal to ride snowmobiles.

"Snowmobiles sit up on the snow, so they don't cause damage to trails," she said. "What people need is an outlet for riding their ATVs and right now they don't have one. It's a shame because I've owned ATVs and they're a lot fun."

Verge said if the town designated an area for ATV use, it could be liable if someone were injured.

"There would be some risk if we tried to do that," he said.

Hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders are allowed on the town's trails and at the Cawdrey conservation area, Jordan said. Snowmobiles are allowed in winter, but all other motor vehicles on the trails are illegal, she said.

The vandalism includes fire pits alongside trails and trails widened from 8 feet to 50 feet to accommodate the vehicles.

Verge said some people have been cutting down trees to make new trails and paths for the ATVs.

"These are meant to be nice pleasant walking trails, but when they fly down them on their ATVs they really dig them up," Verge said. "If you're walking on the trails and someone comes flying around a corner, you better watch out."

State legislators are currently considering a bill that would raise the minimum fine to $250 for causing damage to public conservation property by riding an ATV.

Police Chief Daniel Bourgeois said his department takes illegal ATV use very seriously.

"Some of this is blatant disregard for the signs that are posted and the land that the town is trying to protect for everybody," Bourgeois said recently. "If we catch up to those folks, they will be dealt with."

Bourgeois said in some areas it's clear people are also bringing trucks and bigger vehicles onto the trails.

"The amount of vandalism to these trails has really increased," he said.

Denise Brauchmiller, chairman of the Shirley Conservation Commission, said that town has been dealing with a similar problem for many years.

"We've seen plenty of damage," she said. "Over the years we've tried several things to combat the problem, but they've never been that effective."
Brauchmiller said signs posted at the entrance of trails forbidding ATV use are often taken down or ignored.

"We've even tried putting wood or rocks in the way of the entrance, but they get moved or people go around it," she said.

Brauchmiller said it's very difficult to enforce the laws related to ATV use.

"If you see someone in the act and call police, by the time they get there the person is usually gone," she said.

The Lunenburg Conservation Commission sponsors a "Walk in the Woods" program and committee members are deliberating over a "Park Watch" program to bring volunteers in to walk the trails, pick up the trash and document new cases of vandalism.

"These trails are for the enjoyment of everyone, and we should do what we can to preserve them," Jordan said.

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Source: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/local/ci_15293134

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