The Municipality of Chatham-Kent (CK) is exploring ways to prevent unauthorized All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) use and damage at the CASO recreational trail in Chatham-Kent.
Councillor John Wright said councillors have received reports of damage to municipal property and related activity arising from illegal ATV use at the CASO trail in CK, and wants administration to consult with Entegrus and CK police to develop options to address the non-compliance of municipal bylaws before somebody gets seriously hurt or worse.
Wright said the trail is classified as parkland and has become very unsafe for walkers because of the speeding ATVs.
"Lately, they've cut all the locks off on the gates to get on to it [the trail], then they cut the gates off and took them. We put blocks out there and had them removed, now they're on there with cars and trucks running up and down," Wright told council.
Wright said the speeding ATVs are getting out of hand, and legitimate trail users are fed up with the lack of respect and safety.
"The other night at two in the morning, they're at a house shining lights in with the ATVs and revving them up, yelling at the people along the trails. The fine for using the trail is $5,000, but we have no real way to enforce it," said Wright.
Wright said that CK police don't have ATVs to properly enforce the rules on the trail, and it's unsafe for municipal staff to go out there and deal with the problem.
The trail follows the former Canadian Southern Railway corridor and is operated and maintained by the municipality under an agreement.
Wright's motion to address damage and improper use of the CASO trail was approved at the CK council meeting on Monday night.
Entegrus is the main donor for the trail development and has granted an easement for the trail.
Portions of the trail form part of the Trans Canada Trail Route.
Municipal staff, Entegrus, and CK police have also received and identified concerns related to unauthorized ATV use along the trail.
Staff said it should have a report ready for Council in February or March with an update on measures identified and actions underway to respond to the safety concerns and support safe use of the trail corridor, compliant with municipal bylaws.
