photo of bike

ATV's are damaging the park

Please call NHPD when its actually happening

Thanks, Rafael. I've done that. Successful once, Unsuccessful another time. And I've seen officers in there nailing riders when I haven't called (first time in my 19 yrs here--Bravo!) In general it's been a little better, but we still have a ways to go.

THANKS to the neighbors who have been calling the police, and THANKS to the police for responding. Some improvement this week. Makes me hopeful.

My understanding is that there have been arrests made. That's fabulous if true, but I've seen nothing reported. Anyone have any info?

Since my last comment 2 months ago the situation has been phenominally better! Virtually no activity that I've perceived since the arrests.....up until a few weeks ago, which is why I'm keeping this open. I called the PD on some motorcycles/ATVs in the park about three weeks ago, but they didn't come out. I've heard bikes over there a couple times since then, but unfortunately have not been able to call at those points. So....Thanks to the PD...Much Better! But still a matter of constant vigilance...which is why this clickit will remain open for the forseeable future.

Good work, NHPD. I think that the citizen pressure on this, and thee national press from SeeClickFix issue #4469, convinced the city to take action and enforce the law. After the stories came out on that, the activity virtually disappeared in my neighborhood too.

They are back. Cops called but they never show up. When are they going to take care of this! Not only are they a noise problem but they ride in and out of traffic causing a major safety issue. Thy need to be shut down for good.

There's been an increase in activity with the coming of snow, so I'm keeping this open for the forseeable future. It's a problem which requires constant vigilance.

They're back. So tired of the noise, the danger and the damage!

I call the police, but I do not think they take this seriously. What can we do to get the city to take serious action against dirt bikes and ATVs where they do not belong? I would like at least a sign notifying them clearly that they are not welcome in the park.

I'm right next to the park and have to deal with hours of noise every nice day. I would love to walk in the park but have been nearly run over - it is not safe to be in the park when the bikes are there.

There were a couple of months last year that were better, but I worry that unless we demand action as a neighborhood that nothing will be done until someone is seriously hurt.

Give people a place to ride and we wouldnt have this issue. land was supposed to be put aside 20 years ago for people to ride dirt bikes and ATV but the state decided not to do anything. you should try putting your efforts toward helping to get this land. Not only will it benifit you, but also the thousands of riders who are forced to ride illegally.

forced to break the law huh? nice.

Because tearing up the land, destroying the environment, causing noise and air pollution is really so necessary that taxpayers should pay for your infantile pursuits. Why don't you move to Wyoming and buy your own land and destroy it?

I had to listen to those atv's all the time last summer, bec I live along the beautiful park. I also use the park often, and can't use the main pathways, bec of them. They are destroying the park. I am a taxpayer and homeowner, and my tax dollars are not to be used for providing a free-for-all for atv riders who might not even live in my otherwise quiet neighborhood. There is also wildlife I enjoy watching living in the park, as well, and this will also scare them, possibly out into traffic on Q Ave.

Oh help! I paid a lot of money for just needs to be ridden somewhere. Please. This isn't a case of people purchasing something and then having their right to use it taken away. This is a case of people buying something, knowing that there are not places immediately nearby that they can ride them, and then proceeding to illegally ride them wherever they can. I have zero sympathy for that. They knew where they could ride them before, and they choose to flaunt the law.

I'm for finding ATV and riding areas (and there are actually plenty around the state), but I don't buy the argument that we need to provide this for them so they don't break the law.

Saw another one in Westville yesterday, so it looks like the quad squad is going to have to be brought back into force.

There is nowhere in the state where ATV riding would be acceptable. The environmental degradation alone makes this discussion a non-starter. In addition, the noise and air pollution and watershed damage travels for miles - outside the boundaries of any area where this stupid activity takes place. Who would compensate adjacent landowners for the destruction of their property values, never mind their sanity.

Come out and testify against allowing ATVs in state properties! They will multiply, as they have in other states that have tried this. It's a nightmare waiting to happen. They do not stay on trails and they destroy natural areas. Write your reps asap or come in person. They're trying to slip this one by:ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE HEARING - March 12th - Bill 5417 - Part of this bill supports allowing ATVs in state land. Other aspects of this bill are not so offensive but the ATV part must go.

I once had a New Haven cop tell me that many cops own ATVs...

Why cant the owners of these machines pool their money and buy some land to tear up? Apparently they have the money to blow, why cant someone open a place to ride on private property and make some money?

Isn't CT is the most densely populated state in the country?

http://rep-am.com/articles/2010/03/08/lifestyle/travel/471051.txt

You should all be proud of yourselves. The motorcycle in the posters first post is a BICYCLE. Is this a joke or all you playing along?
ATV'S are not bad like those people on here are stating. This whole thread is propoganda for some state bill. STFU
Please find something worthy to fight for, not some fake mountain bike and dirt path photo.

CLOSE THIS ISSUE

Wow... all the people complaining about these are seriously the biggest bunch of pansies I've ever seen... Do you all need some midol? Should we call a waaaaaaaaaambulance?

What the hell is wrong with all of you? Go move into a condo and buy a prius.

LOL, I hear you. People think they own parks and adjacent properties. If these ATV's were on your property, then you would have a gripe. Since they are not, mind your own business!

This is a FREE COUNTRY, if you do not like the noise MOVE! Honestly YOU LIVE IN THE GHETTO ANYWAY. They have been riding dirtbikes in the parks for decades. It is like moving near the airport and complaining about the noise;grow up.

CLOSE THIS ISSUE

The complainer does not own the property and these are not ATV abd dirtbikes, they are mountain bikes as seen in the picture.

....and here come the dirtbike riders, that long-aggrieved community who when faced with people actually enforcing the law whine and insult those who don't approve of their activities.

Two seconds of google searching gave me this map:
http://www.mxtrackguide.com/connecticut

All of the dirt bike riding trails in Connecticut. You say "if you don't like the noise, move", well I say - If you own a dirt bike, why don't YOU move to where you can actually ride them legally?

It's not my problem that you bought a piece of equipment that you have you use illegally or drive 45 minutes to use. That was your choice.

Amen to that sentiment Pedro!

Amen, Cherries, Pedro. Thanks for that online research. If we know who needs that info, we should get it to them! At least the rain kept them home this weekend. Do I really have to pray for rain this year?

Whine all you want, they will always ride there, and the only way to rectify this is moving.

Nice fake dirtbike photo on top though. I did not know this was a joke, LOL

removed because of insult. Please keep on topic and civilized.

Why all the vitriol against neighbors who want some peace and quiet and safer parks and adjacent streets? Since some folks who support atv's tearing up taxpayer-funded land are getting nasty here, I thought I'd share today's Branford Eagle piece about the nutso firing guns from his atv, high on narcotics. Lovely sort of folks we have here who share the atv hobby:

Gunshots at Swamp Lead to Early Morning Arrest http://newhavenindependent.org/index.php/branford/entry/gunshots_at_swamp_lead_to_early_morning_arrest/

A 29-year-old man, barred from possessing guns, was discovered allegedly shooting his rifle from a rain battered swamp at Pisgah Brook, where he was stuck in his partially open Yamaha Rhino ATV early Sunday morning. Police from Branford and North Branford found him trapped at the swamp near the North Branford line.

Antonio Mauro, who lives at the home of his parents at 186 Laurel Hill Road, not far from the swamp, was discovered by police at about 2:15 a.m after police from both departments investigated complaints of gunshots for more than an hour. Police said that they interviewed Mauro and learned he appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. He also admitted taking more prescription medication that prescribed, police said. Police did not identify the medication.

According to Lt. Geoffrey Morgan, Mauro currently has a protective order as a result of a previous family violence arrest. That arrest prohibits him from possessing any firearms. After police patted him down at the scene, they said, they found Mauro had several weapons, including a Norinko SKS rifle, a .38 caliber revolver in an ankle holster, a 9mm Kahr Arms semi-automatic pistol in his waistband and a 6” Renegade knife on his belt.

All of the weapons were fully loaded as well as 3 additional magazines for the 9mm pistol, according to police. Police said the guns belonged to another family member. They seized them.

Morgan said that the gunshots sounded like a large caliber rifle and that they were coming from deep within the woods. As the officers honed in, they determined the gunshots were coming from Branford town property known as the Pisgah Brook. The property is located between Brushy Plains Road and Laurel Hill Road.

When they spotted Mauro, he was in his partially open ATV “with a rifle visible on the seat next to him,” Morgan said. They removed him from the ATV at gunpoint without incident.

“These are very dangerous situations for police officers to investigate,” Chief John DeCarlo said. “I’m very grateful that the officers weren’t injured during this potentially life threatening situation…”
Mauro was charged with carrying a gun without a permit, carrying a firearm under the influence, criminal possession of a gun, carrying a dangerous weapon, violation of a protective order, criminal trespassing and violation of a town ordinance. He was later released on a $10,000 police bond. He was scheduled to appear in New Haven’s state court today.

And the point of that story is what? This did not happen in New Haven and this man does not represent the ATV community.
Nice try but makes your cause look even weaker.

ISSUE IS NOW CLOSED