Residents across New Jersey have rejected the proposed parks. They've worried about noise, traffic, fuel leaks, and threats to endangered species.
But four years after legislation calling for the state to establish three all-terrain vehicle parks, the Christie administration will open the first on a largely wooded Pinelands tract in Woodbine, in northern Cape May County.
The ATV park - to begin operation Sunday - is at the site of a former sand mine that became a private motocross track and paintball park.
"It's a perfect fit for us," said William Pikolycky, Woodbine mayor and chairman of the Pinelands Municipal Council. "This area already has a lot of industrial activity, with an asphalt plant and mining operation nearby.
"We'll have less noise than we did when there was motocross racing," Pikolycky said Thursday. "And we'll offer families - adults and young people - a legal place to safely enjoy their ATVs."
State and local officials will join ATV riders who will take test runs at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mount Pleasant State Off-Road Vehicle Park at Routes 610 and 550.
Participants must obtain free permits in person at nearby Belleplain State Forest, where they must show valid identification, current New Jersey state vehicle registration, and proof of insurance for their ATVs. Permits will be issued to 25 riders per session.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/l...V_park_to_open_Sunday_in_Cape_May_County.html
But four years after legislation calling for the state to establish three all-terrain vehicle parks, the Christie administration will open the first on a largely wooded Pinelands tract in Woodbine, in northern Cape May County.
The ATV park - to begin operation Sunday - is at the site of a former sand mine that became a private motocross track and paintball park.
"It's a perfect fit for us," said William Pikolycky, Woodbine mayor and chairman of the Pinelands Municipal Council. "This area already has a lot of industrial activity, with an asphalt plant and mining operation nearby.
"We'll have less noise than we did when there was motocross racing," Pikolycky said Thursday. "And we'll offer families - adults and young people - a legal place to safely enjoy their ATVs."
State and local officials will join ATV riders who will take test runs at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mount Pleasant State Off-Road Vehicle Park at Routes 610 and 550.
Participants must obtain free permits in person at nearby Belleplain State Forest, where they must show valid identification, current New Jersey state vehicle registration, and proof of insurance for their ATVs. Permits will be issued to 25 riders per session.
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/l...V_park_to_open_Sunday_in_Cape_May_County.html
