After several years of searching for a suitable site, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has opened its first state-owned off-highway vehicle park.
On Jan. 13, ATV and motorcycle riders took a test ride in the new Mount Pleasant State Off-Road Vehicle Park, which is a mostly wooded tract in Woodbine, Cape May County. It’s illegal to ride on any other state-owned land.
“We are very excited to showcase this new park,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. “The Christie administration is committed to developing managed parks in the state that will provide fans of all-terrain vehicles a safe environment in which to enjoy their sport. Just as important, the park will take pressure off environmentally sensitive lands that are damaged by illegal use of ATVs.”
“This new park is going to mean a lot to our borough and surrounding areas,” Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky said. “It’s wonderful that we will have a facility that provides legal recreational riding opportunities for enthusiasts of off-road vehicles.” The DEP bought the 63-acre site of the former Mount Pleasant Sand and Gravel operation in November 2011 for $393,000.
Ten acres, including an existing three-quarter-mile ATV course, will be used initially for the park, with future expansion planned. The park consists of sand pits, sand roads and sandy areas left over from the former mining and motocross operations there. It’s suitable for beginning to intermediate riders.
