Garland Greenbelt ATV Menace

[Imagebuffet]

This is a project I have been working on for several months.

The City of Garland and the State of Texas set aside a section of old-growth forest as a nature preserve and park a few decades ago. Over the years, construction and recreational vehicles have increasingly encrouched on the area. I have been photographing violations as I recognize them and calling the police and neighboring property owners about this situation. Last night, I even called out a full-sized fire truck to head back across the dirt trails to extinguish the camp fire that a group of them had set. I hated the idea of having the fire truck stuck out there in the middle of the night, particularly if it were needed somewhere else, but what else can one do?

I've posted most of my photos to a Flickr album. I also have video on YouTube.

Flickr: Garland Greenbelt ATV Menace

YouTube: Motor Vehicles in the Spring Creek Greenbelt

[Teddington]

Some folks just got no respect!

[Imagebuffet]

I'm trying to raise awareness of the problem. Perhaps some people aren't aware that they aren't allowed to ride motor vehicles back there. Others don't care. Either way, I hope to be able to change attitudes towards the Preserve.

Imagebuffet added 1744 Minutes and 11 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

I drive past one of the main access points for these illegal vehicles on private land every night on my way home from work. Tonight, I noticed that a new sign, right next to the "For Sale" sign and almost as big, stating in large letters, "Private Property - No Trespassing." They have had some 4x6-inch signs stating the same thing, located around the entrances to the property, but they were easy to miss. This new sign is about 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. No one could miss it. Hopefully, the trespassers won't use it for a camp fire, as they do with all the other wooden signs and fences they find.

[JP171]

this seems to be political and potentially not allowed. I also think this really isn't the place for activism. nuff said

[bondarnes]

20 post Joe is looking to become a moderator.

[mmuhlenkamp]

I don't really see this as being a political thread at all, he just wants people to follow posted signs and respect the forest. Not trying to change policies or saying anything about environmental activism. He's a responsible citizen.

Nice work Richard, it's hard for police to really patrol those kinds of areas so it's good that you have taken initiative.

[JP171]

Originally Posted by bondarnes

20 post Joe is looking to become a moderator.

LMAO naw not me I'm way too politically incorrect to enven begin to think of Mod staus, just don't care for people usin the forum for a political agenda