Hello everyone! Just went to Hungerford Park in Berlin CT today. It's in sorry shape. At least one box was trashed (but we found enough parts to safe/repair it). The two bridges look like they're missing planks and one of them got turned into some sort of "jump/ramp" for what appears to be dirt/motor bikers. We went to talk to the "museum/barn" staff and they seemed relatively clueless of anything on trail. They took my name/number and said they'd give it to the appropriate person.

I took two boxes with me: Music on My Radio by Apeman; Happy Hippo by Mommy Mouse.
I've contacted both box hosts and let them know about this, but I'm not sure if they'll check emails before someone might go out there looking for the boxes....so I'm posting information here. Those two boxes are home with me for repairs that couldn't be done trail-side. The plan is to get them back to their spots within a week's time. Thanks all!

I was at the MDC reservoirs in West Hartford yesterday and a lot of the boxes were wet. Seem to be a lot of substandard containers being used. One was filled with water like an aquarium, log swimming in water, and there was no stamp, just a cork backing. So I pulled the entire box: "High in the Sky" (listed on LbNA only). And there were several boxes I couldn't find, or for which conditions had changed and I couldn't figure out where to look.

Had a great time when Rubaduc's pet mouse did not want to leave the Coffee:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/542318_4591695395145_2090358534_n.jpg

Great picture. Good to see Sam looking good after his recent illness :-)

UPDATES:

Well, I heard from a staff member at Hungerford Park and they're more than happy to have our group come clean trails! Anyone interested in making it a 9/11 National Day of Service event? I'll host, but just plan to carve an "event stamp" for the community service. Participants can bring gloves, garbage bags and garbage picker-uppers. There's plenty need for trimming stuff that's overgrown the paths, pushing branches a little further off trail, etc.

As far as the bridges go...one of them is about 100 yards away from where it's supposed to be. The other is in its spot, but lays perpendicular to where it should be. Both bridges have a missing plank or two. Not sure about my carpentry skills...Bubs or Grumpy or anyone else wanna volunteer to inspect it ahead of time?

Now, the strangest part here is: The Hungerford Staff did confirm that there were local teens bringing their dirt bikes in against the rules. They seem to be frustrated with it. Well, it seems the local teens SIGNED THE FREAKIN LOGBOOK! According to the black Sharpie marker writing, they were there on 8/26/12. Nate "aka Beerhole" signed then his buddy Edwin signed on the next page! Seems I have a little detective work to hand in to local authorities!

The Hungerford Staff did confirm that there were local teens bringing their dirt bikes in against the rules. They seem to be frustrated with it.

I share their pain. The biggest help and defense against ATVs and dirtbikes on the trails are hikers with cameras, and most hikers have a phone capable of taking pictures. If you feel safe doing so, take a picture/video (or pretend to - it freaks them out). Submit the photos and video to the Police and the landowner. And you can even post online, like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXg00dLprhc ATVers and dirt bikers think they are anonymous on the trails and therefore can ride with impunity, but they aren't if they are being recorded on camera.

I share the pain too. Several years ago, we had some dirt bikers/atvers use our private road (no trespassing signs everywhere) to get to the Shenipsit Trail in the Meshomasic. The first time we tried to confront dirt bikers about being on private property, they merely went by us and even gave my mom the finger. The second time, I was alone on the private road, hiking up to the Shenipsit. These dirt bikers were nicer and apologized. They didn't come back, though I think they started to use our neighbor's private road up the street. It got so bad with the dirt bikers and ATVers that we had to spend thousands of dollars putting up locked farm gates all the way up to the Shenipsit. However, this has cut down the motor traffic on the Shenipsit, and erosion has been lessened.

I wish there were more "no motorized traffic" signs on the trails. It would give us a little leverage when they say, "Oh we didn't know that we couldn't ride here...".

Grrr... sigh

BB

I wish there were more "no motorized traffic" signs on the trails. It would give us a little leverage when they say, "Oh we didn't know that we couldn't ride here...".

You have all the leverage you need. Riding an ATV is not like walking, where it's OK if you are on private property unless posted "no trespassing." Under state law, all ATV riders are required to carry written permission from the property owner allowing them to ride on the property, unless they own the property. $250 fine right there. Further, if they are riding someplace other than their own private property, even a friend's property, they are required to register their vehicle. That means plates. Another $250 fine. Here are the laws: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2010/rpt/2010-R-0442.htm.

Also, under a relatively new CT "Encroachment Law," owners of conservation law (towns, land trusts, etc.) can file a civil suit against someone for riding on their property, even if no damages can be proven (damage is assumed). The court may award up to $5,000 in punitive damages, plus the costs to repair the land (if applicable), plus all attorney's fees. The biggest obstacle to filing a lawsuit is a lack of evidence, because the landowner does not live out there in the trees. That's where your pictures and video come in.

I know it would suck to have to spend more money, but I bet you could buy more of those signs online. Just a thought! :)

-gollygee

I know it would suck to have to spend more money, but I bet you could buy more of those signs online.

They just rip signs down, then pretend they didn't know they couldn't ride there because there was no sign. Signs don't work. Cameras do.

These kids MOVED BRIDGES. A sign is nothing for the strength of the male teenager. Arrr!

In Shelton this year we had some ATVers create a vast trail system on some conservation lands that previously had no trails. I wheeled off the distance of the paths (1.25 miles) and multiplied by the average width of the trail tread (6 feet) and came up with nearly an acre of trail tread. People were in there with chain saws and possibly heavy equipment for moving large boulders. And then over 100 trees were then spray painted with smiley faces and such.