Watchung Reservation

  • Thread starter Thread starter FallGirl1430
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
gtluke said:
When the cops would come into Mills they would ticket both bikers and dog off leash people. Pretty fair. I wonder if I would get 2 tickets?
Click to expand...

I think you go directly to jail for that one. It's like going 66 mph on Route 80 while changing lanes without signalling.
 
I live 4 miles from the reservation and can say that Union County enforces the bike ban as well as they maintain the park.
20160813_172542.jpg


20160813_175337.jpg


I have a lot more examples of gross neglect of the crown jewel of Union County . It's a shame that the focus can't be on repairing the park and making the trails the best they can be.
 
Speaking for at least a small group of local TAX PAYING riders, I can say we are 100% behind JORBA's efforts to "officially" legalize and improve riding in Watchung Res. We have been directly in contact with Ken/JORBA and they have made it clear that the County has been very slow in addressing the process of re-introducing bikes to the Res, though Union County have stated publicly in their master plan that it is their intention to do so. As TAX PAYING locals, we need to do whatever we can to accelerate this process with the county. So that is what we will do.

Quite frankly, Hikeronly, I don't understand why you seem to have such a hard line stance against MTBs at Watchung. Compared to most Hike/Bike/Horse parks in NJ where there has been a proven history of all three trail-user-groups getting along fine, Watchung is MUCH BIGGER with a more extensive trail network. There is plenty of room for all of us. The reality is, all three groups HAVE been getting along fine at Watchung for years. Of 100 hikers I come across there, 99.9 are happy to see me. I have only seen ONE angry hiker in all my time there. I wonder if that ONE guy is you?
 
Hikers at watchung are rude, confrontational, walk their dogs off leashes, let their dogs crap all over the trails for people to step on and litter. Most bikers are polite, yield to hikers and usually carry out trash thrown on the trails.
 
Shorepoints said:
Speaking for at least a small group of local TAX PAYING riders, I can say we are 100% behind JORBA's efforts to "officially" legalize and improve riding in Watchung Res. We have been directly in contact with Ken/JORBA and they have made it clear that the County has been very slow in addressing the process of re-introducing bikes to the Res, though Union County have stated publicly in their master plan that it is their intention to do so. As TAX PAYING locals, we need to do whatever we can to accelerate this process with the county. So that is what we will do.

Quite frankly, Hikeronly, I don't understand why you seem to have such a hard line stance against MTBs at Watchung. Compared to most Hike/Bike/Horse parks in NJ where there has been a proven history of all three trail-user-groups getting along fine, Watchung is MUCH BIGGER with a more extensive trail network. There is plenty of room for all of us. The reality is, all three groups HAVE been getting along fine at Watchung for years. Of 100 hikers I come across there, 99.9 are happy to see me. I have only seen ONE angry hiker in all my time there. I wonder if that ONE guy is you?
Click to expand...

Keep wondering, and don't jump to conclusions. I've spoken with several people who share the sentiment that biking should remain illegal in Watchung Reservation. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
 
hikeronly said:
Keep wondering, and don't jump to conclusions. I've spoken with several people who share the sentiment that biking should remain illegal in Watchung Reservation. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Click to expand...
Please enlighten us. Why do you and "several people" hate sharing the trails with MTB riders so much? We go out of our way to be friendly, yield to you and your dogs, attend trail maintenance sessions, and promote having a healthy time in the outdoors. You are entitled to your opinion, so what is it?
 
1. Never point at someone else doing something illegal to justify your own actions. It is childish, not to mention it is irrelevant.

2. Once again, we are only responsible for what we do, but it can affect many. The positive force for change is @Shorepoints push as a tax paying resident that there is no place to Mtb in the county. Yet Mtbing in the county only reinforces the idea that mtbers can not follow rules.

3. Informing people of the rules without threats would make it more palpable. Not to mention it may save someone a drive to find the sign there.
Many were hopeful for change, and were willing to show their commitment by showing up at the last tm session. This board isn't a crowd of mt dew fueled yahoos. These are the people that insist on good trail etiquette, and take responsibility.

4. Pointing at the rules is one way to make a point. It would be more apropos to put forth reasons. Then rational discourse could occur.
 
fidodie said:
1. Never point at someone else doing something illegal to justify your own actions. It is childish, not to mention it is irrelevant.

2. Once again, we are only responsible for what we do, but it can affect many. The positive force for change is @Shorepoints push as a tax paying resident that there is no place to Mtb in the county. Yet Mtbing in the county only reinforces the idea that mtbers can not follow rules.

3. Informing people of the rules without threats would make it more palpable. Not to mention it may save someone a drive to find the sign there.
Many were hopeful for change, and were willing to show their commitment by showing up at the last tm session. This board isn't a crowd of mt dew fueled yahoos. These are the people that insist on good trail etiquette, and take responsibility.

4. Pointing at the rules is one way to make a point. It would be more apropos to put forth reasons. Then rational discourse could occur.
Click to expand...

Ok Fidodie but I'll point out whatever I want here and what I said is completely revelent and I was not pointing this out to justify my actions as I do not even ride Watchung anymore but you apparently know everything. You need to get off of your soap box as well.
 
Pretty sure arguing on this thread will do nothing to help legalize trails at the park. Probably will have the opposite effect. Whatever was written here hasn't helped. Just sayin'.
 
The signs come down in winter and NOBODY knows exactly why. The signs go back up in August and NOBODY knows exactly why. There is ZERO transparency and 100% confusion on what is going on at the County regarding Watchung Res. THIS is the problem. My fellow tax paying riders of Union County and I will have to work the channels of the County and try to get things headed in the right direction. I don't think what is said on this forum will influence much, but it is kinda fun to "air our grievances".
 
agreed. This thread is pages of nothing. Someone that actually has answers and knowledge should post and just close this completely useless thread
 
Soap boxing is my job here. That and using big words. Like ephemeral.

I was riding watchung in the 80s and haven't been back since the signs went up. I was not the one buzzing horses or blind jumping onto trails. But I do not deny it happened. And do not deny this was a valid reason to close watchung given the stables. Times have changed, and it is time for discussion. That is happening, and I Choose patience because of trust in those who represent us.

I'm sure there are irresponsible hikers just like there are mtbers. I would hope they try to self police just as we do.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom