Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Off-roaders to lose unofficial riding spot

"No Trespassing" signs didn't stop bikers and ATV riders from using large mounds of dirt on airport property as a track. So the piles are being flattened.

By WILL VAN SANT
Published June 27, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - Five years ago, Hernando County Airport officials saw opportunity in the Suncoast Parkway project.

They thought that dirt removed during the nearby highway construction could be stored at the airport and used to fill low areas on the property slated for future expansion.

But the piles of free fill, estimated at 40,000 cubic yards, sat unused and lured rogue motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts who have turned the western portion of the airport into a private playground.

Now, in a move meant to protect the county from liability, a deal has been struck with Prince Contracting of Palmetto, which is doing work on nearby U.S. 41. Prince agreed to level the piles in exchange for some of the material. It will be used as foundation for the company's U.S. 41 work.

So, the dirt is going from one road project to another, after a few years of serving area off-roaders who tended to show up in the evenings and on weekends for a bit of fun.

Airport officials had tried other options. They posted "no trespassing" signs, but the signs were stolen. They sought help from the Sheriff's Office, but patrol cars cannot chase nimble dirt bikes through the woods.

Nothing worked, and the riders just kept coming.

"It was quite a nice course that they had," said deputy airport director Robert Mills, who came up with the barter deal with Prince Contracting. "I mean, if I was a four-wheeler, I would have liked to go ride around out there."

Under the law, off-roaders can only practice their hobby on private land or designated areas such as the 2,600-acre Croom Motorcycle Area in the Withlacoochee State Forest.

Gifford Quast, who opened Kawasaki Powersports Redefined on State Road 50 west of Brooksville in February, said that as attractive as the Croom area is to local riders, it does have drawbacks. On weekends, he said, it can be crowded, and yearly passes must be purchased.

While he advises his customers that they should abide by the law, Quast said with viable riding areas limited, it's not surprising that some enthusiasts would attempt something potentially illegal.

"With all the open land that we have, it seems a darn shame that there are not more legitimate places to ride," he said.

Mills said that leveling the piles will most likely not stop all riders from coming onto airport property, but he has no doubt the location will not be as popular.

"We are taking a very valuable area for this type of activity out of the picture," he said.

Mills said he expects Prince Contracting to complete most of the work within 30 days.

--Will Van Sant can be reached at 352 754-6127 or vansant@sptimes.com

[Last modified June 27, 2005, 01:05:15]