This past Saturday while hiking with family, a couple on horses passed us going up the hill south of waterfall & tearing it up. I asked them if they were supposed to be there and the man said they could. Also saw fresh motorcycle tracks in the same area. Nothing worst for groomed trails than the destructive power of horse hoofs or irresponsible motor heads spinning out their rear wheels.
This is the first sign of horses in the years I've been playing back there. If indeed horses are allowed and this is only the first of more horse & motorcycle outings to come, we can say goodbye to descent mtb riding and ya guys might as well stop all the current hard work on relocating trails. Cause as Lansen and I got to experience first hand about a year ago in Waubonsie SP, the trails will turn to shitt... literally!
14 comments:
These are from the city website
These are cut and pasted from the web site. As you can see both horses and ATV/Motorcycles are illegal!
Sec. 21-62. Animals.
(a) No person shall permit or cause to be
permitted the placing or presence of any animals
or fowl upon any portions of the parks, parkways
or boulevards under the jurisdiction of the
director of parks, recreation and civic facilities.
This shall include but not be limited to the
grazing or feeding of livestock, cattle, chickens,
ducks and swine, and the use of such parks and
boulevards for such purposes is prohibited.
(b) Dogs shall not be taken in or upon any
park, parkway or boulevard, except while being
led and secured at all times by proper cord or
chain of a length not greater than ten feet.
(Code 1969, § 17-6)
Sec. 21-63. Reserved.
(a) No person shall operate a dirt bike, ATV
(all terrain vehicle) or other similar motorized
vehicle in the riverbluffs area. For purposes of
this section, the riverbluffs area is designated as
the area bounded by Highland Avenue on the
south, Waterworks Road on the west, I-229 on the
east and by the eastward extension of Ellinger
Street on the north.
(b) No person shall operate an off-road
motorized vehicle, such as a dirt bike or ATV, in
or on any park facility unless in or upon those
areas specifically permitted for such use.
(c) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.
(G.O. 1837, 8-6-01)
We need to make some signs or something (not that it will prevent it). Or whatever might stop it.
Isn't that what broke the old bridges in Krug?
I agree that horses cause incredible amounts of destruction to trails not designed for their use. I disagree, however, about ceasing the trail work at Krug. Krug is a great riding spot an will be a better one with the work we are doing. If you don't want to help develop and do the work necessary to build the trails, then don't. I have seen a couple of guys on dirtbikes in there and they didn't seem to want to stop and talk when I approached em. I wonder if the horse thing will be better enforced if the city has a stake in it? The bridges can all be built in the form of catlle guards as well. We just space the cross beams apart and horses wont go near em. We'll never keep unauthorized users off the trails. We saw this at the river. I see that some bikers are even guilty of leaving deep ruts at corby north. That's how it is.
The realistic hippie
You mean the realistic hippie with horrible bedside manners... I was being sarcastic about stopping trail work you big oaf. BTW, your welcome for taking my time to inform... again being sarcastic.
Thanks to whomever posted the laws. A suggestion for those whom want to listen is to take a photo of anyone you can catch in violation and email to appropriate party(ies). For example, If I would have pulled out my iPhone on that couple and told them I was going to email their photo to authorities, they would think pretty hard about doing it again. So if someone wants to find out whom that email contact is, let me know or post here.
Hi, this is Matt Woody with ERTA in KC.
The best approach is to work with the city on this. If horses and motorcycles are not allowed, ask the city to post this ASAP. Most horse folks are not too hard to work with once they know they aren't allowed. Motorcycles and ATV's might be different. Don't be confrontational. You should all program the city parks and police numbers in your phones. If you see horses and ATVs that are supposed to be there, call the authorities. You guys appear to have a good relationship with the city and should be stewards for the land. That also includes teaching mt. bikers not to tear up and rut muddy trails. That is my 0.02. Nice work on building single track in St. Joe
Sorry, I messed up a bit of that last post, that one section should read: "...horses and ATV's that are NOT supposed to be there.....".
Greg, Thanks for the update off the city website. Maybe Ed can possibly assist with the city to obtain some signs? Thanks guys.
Ed my email is david.crook@yahoo.com or cell 816-617-2612 if there is anything I can do with this problem?
You can also reach him at 1-900-manlylove after 9:00 on weekends.
so that's how it ends. jeez, wasn't expecting that.
so that's how it ends. jeez, wasn't expecting that.
Jason, Does this mean we can talk about our relationship? I will have Randy break the news to your wife.
Don't be silly, she already knows....
Horseback riding in Krug Park has gone on for years and despite what the code says, I'm not sure that its intent was the prohibition of pleasure riding in the parks. I've been up there riding when groups came in with trailers of horses. After all, St. Joseph... Pony Express. In general, non-mechanical transportation is much more accepted than mechanical forms when it comes to off-road trail systems. I'll try to get the official position on the code, which at face value appears to support your position (no horses), however council can always revise the code. In other words, please be careful how you proceed with demanding that action be taken, because you may just end up with more equine supporters than bikers at a council meeting whereby bikers get booted out the park in favor of more traditional/historical/eco-
friendly recreation. Again... home of the Pony Express... and a load of western/cowboy culture.
IMBA standards and recommendations should be followed on all bridge and trail design.
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