Recommendations | urban-conservation

Our recommendations to reduce ATV damage

During our sampling, we found that currently there are no signs expressing the illegality of motorized vehicles use in park, as well as the boundary of Pippy Park. From this we can assume that some of the riders may not even be aware that they are in the park. Some, if not all of these signs, should explain briefly the potential damages associated with motorized vehicle use in the park. Signs at the park boundary should potentially include a rough map of the park to illustrate specifically where park boundaries are.

Signage

Road Blocks

We also recommend road blocks in high use trail entry points. These would directly inhibit riders from entering the park boundaries. Also, public awareness not directly in the park.

These could include:

- Chains, plastic barriers etc.
- Alternatively, more natural-looking barriers may be used for subtly maintain the aesthetic value of the park e.g. rows of large rocks

The dilemma of illegal motorized vehicle use in Pippy Park establishes the need for future research, where the detrimental effects of such activity can be qualified and quantified before being presented as incentive in discontinuing use in the park. Following similar protocol from previous studies, effects of motor vehicle use on watershed processes (7), local organisms (4,8), and in terms of pollution through sound (6) and emission of volatile organic compounds (9,10) should be examined in detail to elucidate the adverse effects of motorized vehicles use in Pippy Park.

Future Research

References

Specifically, these signs should be:
- At entry points of park; delineating precisely the park boundary and therefore where motorized vehicles use becomes illegal
- Within the park
- At high use areas to deter vehicle use
- At Pippy Park golf course; easily visible signs in parking lot, where vehicles would be unloaded from trucks etc.
- In places where they will be likely seen by potential vehicle users, but not necessarily where vehicle use is high e.g. near Fluvarium, walking trails, park etc. This approach will make aware the general population about the motorized vehicles use in the park.

- Brochures and information in places that sell motorized vehicles
- Outlining where you cannot snowmobile in St. John’s, including Pippy Park
- Outlining the damage associated with the use of motorized vehicles

See the outreach section for an example of a brochure that could be available.

Brochure