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Residents appear split on Lambert Park ban May 28, 2018, 11:33 amAt that time city officials said that while motorized vehicle use in the park was regulated prior to and after the moratorium, in the interim park users were not adhering to those regulations. At the public hearing, three residents spoke in support of having motorized vehicles in the park. Robert Shelley said his grandchildren loved to ride motorcycles in the park when they came to visit. He hated seeing that freedom taken away with more and more restrictions, he said. He would also like to see the park left open to more mountain bikers. Sullivan Love said he understood enforcement was difficult. He felt that the city needed more help from volunteers. New residents may not be as aware of the problems, he said. He said he would like to see the park remain open to motorized vehicles with restricted access. David Cutler has lived in Alpine for six years and said he loves to go four-wheeling with his kids in Lambert Park. He was sad to see the prohibition, he said. Four residents spoke in support of keeping the ban in place. Tara Franks, who lives adjacent to the park, said the ban was strictly for safety, not just for bikers and hikers and homeowners who lived by the park. "How many homes had almost burned to the ground last year because of the fires? " she said. " Sparks from guns and vehicles could cause fires that could be avoided." Ed Bush commented that having a motorized vehicle in the park was not an inherent right. He had never seen anyone drive the posted 15 mph unless it was a car going to see the poppies, he said. He was in favor of continuing the ban with access to the Bowery and rodeo grounds, he said. Bush suggested the city consider paving a path or two in those areas for wheelchair access to viewing the poppies. Lane Franks said he had toys and would love to go into the park and use them, but when you weighed the fun factor against the safety factor and personal property, the fun factor paled in comparison to a serious accident or a home burning down. He said there was also a peace factor. The park was in a much better state without the vehicles, he said and commented that he had not seen any late-night campfires in the park since the ban. Richard James said the last time he was in Lambert Park, people were not driving 15 mph. There was a reason motorcycles were not allowed in national parks, he said. The ban would not be popular, but it might save a life, he added. At the conclusion of the public hearing, Mayor Stout said the discussion would be continued for six weeks (to May 1) and that he would like to schedule another public hearing on the issue. The community news source for Eagle Mountain Utah, Saratoga Springs Utah, Lehi Utah, American Fork Utah, Highland Utah, Alpine Utah, and The Cedar Valley, including Cedar Fort Utah and Fairfield Utah. Copyright 2024 The Crossroads Journal LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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