Quarter Mile Revisited

[Teegate]

All,

I was out this morning before 5AM and decided to spend part of my time at Quarter Mile to see what is happening there. I walked there through the woods and took this as the sun was first showing.

I had decided that at some point I was going to walk around the complete outside edge of Quarter Mile and I did just that. QM is the poster child of what selective closing of roads can do. Quarter Mile proves that there is ABSOLUTELY no need to close roads other that the ones that go directly to and from a problem area. The PPA is full of shit. The roads there the last time I visited were pure white sand. Today, the vegetation is coming back and I saw very few car or truck tracks and mostly motorcycle activity.

This one shows it the best. Click to make larger.

These also really shows the change for the better.

So remember if you think that closing all or most roads is the answer think again. A threat of fines to the select individuals who seek to severely damage our state parks is sufficient to deter. With frequent visits by the Park Police we have or will see a difference.


Guy

 

[Ben Ruset]

What do the barriers to get in there look like? I'm assuming it's more than just a simple sign, right? Also the Park Police have been going back there a lot more, right?

 

[Teegate]

No barriers. And the signs on one road have been torn off.

 

[ecampbell]

I've been back there at least once a week since 2011 when the signs were put up, never a barrier. Never saw police either.

 

[Teegate]

So what do you think is keeping the traffic down because the evidence shows the place is no longer all dirt in the summer?

 

[ecampbell]

The roads in are worse than Quarter Mile. Kind of like a barrier. They are driving around the puddles up to the tracks, kind of like they put themselves out of business.

 

[bobpbx]

I was there too, with the Botany Club, on Saturday. A few motorcycles made it to the first puddle, did a turn-around and left.

By the way, this is a truism: Motorcycles are not a problem in the pines. If you've ever had to pull a bike out of mud or a bog, you avoid them like the plague in the future. Only a complete idiot would seek out mud holes while on a motorcycle.

Great report Guy. I'm glad to see it's coming back. We were on the eastern leg, where it's not so quickly returning.

 

[RednekF350]

Thanks Guy.
Your photographs make the case for targeted enforcement in and around a known problem area.

 

[Broke Jeep Joe]

That is just incredible, proves to a point the resilience of the pine barrens eco system! great pics Guy!

 

[Teegate]

Thanks Guy.
Your photographs make the case for targeted enforcement in and around a known problem area.

That is the only time road closures are needed.

 

[woodjin]

That is the only time road closures are needed.

Agreed! I was initially against any road closures but I'll take this targeted approach over a nearly complete lock down any day.

 

[smoke_jumper]

It's funny. You look at your pictures and compare them to Al's blog, he revisited it also with a much different opinion on its condition.

 

[Teegate]

It's funny. You look at your pictures and compare them to Al's blog, he revisited it also with a much different opinion on its condition.

To each his own. I will get out my past photos of the place and try and make a few "Then and Now" photos.

 

[smoke_jumper]

To each his own. I will get out my past photos of the place and try and make a few "Then and Now" photos.

I was going to suggest that. I went back on old threads to compare

 

[Teegate]

I am going there again soon so I will take my old photos with me.

Here is one from 2010

 

[bobpbx]

Sadly, the aluminum cans and bottles were not picked up. They'll last a few decades. The Atsion Cleanup should target this area for a clean sweep.

 

[Ben Ruset]

I wonder if there will be another Atsion cleanup after all of this road closure drama.

 

[bobpbx]

I wonder if there will be another Atsion cleanup after all of this road closure drama.

Good point, but the land can't speak for itself.

 

[oji]

Sadly, the aluminum cans and bottles were not picked up. They'll last a few decades. The Atsion Cleanup should target this area for a clean sweep.

There are 2 cans in my recycle and one balloon in my trash from out there. I may go back out to check out the the area we didn't get to. I'll take a bigger bag with me then.

 

[Teegate]

There is very little trash out there. Someone has been cleaning up.