ATVs not welcome in Liberty Township parks

Sue Kiesewetter

Liberty Township trustee Christine Matacic has a warning for anyone who takes an all terrain or other motorized vehicle into township parks for off road riding: beware, you will be ticketed.

“If you’re in an ATV you’re going to be cited if you’re in a township park,’’ Matacic said. “Deputies will be citing people if they’re in motorized vehicles in our park where they shouldn’t be.”

Motorized vehicles are only allowed in the parking lots at the township’s parks, Matacic said.

Matacic’s comments came just days after three weekend complaints about ATV riders in the 54.5 acre Wilhelmia Park near the Dutchland Woods subdivision.

Tom Burdick lives across the street from Wilhelmia Park and said there have been issues with ATVs since the land was given to the township eight years ago. The high grass and a dip in the land makes it difficult to see the vehicles or the ruts they have caused.

“They just tear the place up,” Burdick said. “They can’t stop, start or turn without making a mess.”

For the past few years Burdick said he has mowed a path around a pond on the property and the perimeter so that he and others can walk. A couple times, riders have come too close to those walking.

“We needed to step things up so residents don’t feel threatened and our parks aren’t torn up,” Matacic said.

Lt. Lance Bunnell of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, said they have received calls when vehicles have gotten stuck in the mud but said there have been no accidents with pedestrians.

He said citations have been rare but called the situation an issue of safety.

“The word’s out. There will be citations,’’ Bunnell said.

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Source: http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/getlocal/gpstory.aspx?id=100050&sid=165012

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