County of Los Angeles Initiates Dialogue On Off-Highway Vehicle Parks

Stakeholders to Discuss New Facility Options for the County’s Growing Number of OHV Enthusiasts

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation will be sponsoring a new study to develop siting criteria for a system of Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Parks in Los Angeles County. Environmentalists, OHV representatives, resource agencies, trails and open space advocates, and other stakeholder groups will come together through a number of public workshops to help formulate a set of guidelines as to the types of places where OHV facilities might be appropriate. The study will use the siting criteria as a framework to identify and evaluate possible OHV Park sites in the future.

“We are committed to serving the recreational needs of the County’s population,” said Russ Guiney, Director of Parks and Recreation for the County of Los Angeles. “Because OHV facilities involve a number of complex issues, we will look to the recommendations from this study before we begin planning for specific facilities.”

Between 14 to 15 percent of the statewide population are OHV enthusiasts who enjoy off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies, and 4x4 activity. While a large concentration is located here in Los Angeles County, local riding options are reduced every year as development continues, open space declines, and conservation management intensifies.
The purpose of the County’s project is to build consensus on a series of siting criteria for a system of OHV parks in Los Angeles County. The consensus-building process will involve an advisory committee comprised of the full spectrum of stakeholder interests. Input from the general public will be collected during two series of public workshops (to be conducted in four different County locations per series). This process will be supported by a website and fact sheets. Scheduling of these events is currently underway.

Funding for OHV recreational opportunities is generated by the State of California mandatory OHV “green sticker” registration program. Among other activities, the State Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division administers grants for OHV recreation opportunities throughout California, much of which are distributed to local counties and cities.

For more information about the Off-Highway Vehicle Park Study contact Robert Ettleman, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, at (213) 351-5134 or rettleman@parks.lacounty.gov