Mountain Side is closing.

[tjsahara00]

I read where an insurance company said for them to call that they had the right plan for them and they had off road parks across the country insured.

[MMjeep]

Im just shooting out my opinion take it how you want it. For the past few years mountainside has always been open the first and third weekends of every month, but in the past year they made it only 1 weekend a month :bs) Not very many people can make that kind of schedule. As far as the park and land are concerned bob and lisa lease the land. Maybe the insurance is just a way to cover up the real reason its closing seems like a personal problem to me. Land owner maybe? When the gluches said they were going to be shutting down, the offroading community came together and had benefit rides and fund raises to help keep that park open and it still is to this day. Bob is not even asking for help to keep the park going leading me to believe my above assumption. Its my opinion take it how you want it. Either way Im sad to see this place go and i for sure will be there to take one last ride.

[BigJerm]

Would be great to see them make this work and stay open. Not sure how much traffic the park sees on non-event weeks and I wonder if it is enough to keep the park open even with lower insurance cost.

MMjeep I agree with what you said. It seems like this is the easy way of saying we are closing up. Cant try and make a profit with 1 weekend a month when your business is only wheeling on the weekends!

[Krawler00]

Agreed. This place could be open every weekend and people would come. Wonder who will own the property now since it sounds like he just wants out. Leased property huh? Well, I bet enough wheelers could pay the note and give a key system to share holders. I would be in!

[DOUG]

Agreed. This place could be open every weekend and people would come. Wonder who will own the property now since it sounds like he just wants out. Leased property huh? Well, I bet enough wheelers could pay the note and give a key system to share holders. I would be in!

He won't sell it.  It's just closing to the public.  It's not for sale.

Bob has a business, family, assets, etc to protect, and the insurance is nuts.  Can you imagine the picture an insurance underwriter has about us riding after watching a few You Tube videos, some of which are posted o our forum?

Here is part of a message:

It's more than just raising some extra change to keep the park going. I can get cheaper insurance, but it is simply a trip and fall insurance policy. It would not protect me or my family, and not much protection for the park. A waiver signed at the gate is simply that. Most people don't even sign a legible name to the form. In the event that a person got severely injured or killed due to their own actions or someone Else's, an insurance company will begin picking every safety aspect of the park operation apart looking for a way to void your policy. The money you pay them, they pay lawyers to defend a hefty payout. It will work against the business owner every time unless they have complied to the latest safety audit. Our audit calls for safety barriers between the spectators and participants, Perimeter fencing, eye wash and first aid stand at check in, a full time CPR certified staff member every time the gates are open. Permanent mounted fire extinguishers in every rig entering the park. Safety belts/ rollover protection structures, High visibility signage for all trails and a few other requirements requiring set dates and times for event, including no wheeling before 30 minutes after day light and 30 minutes before dusk.

I have spent the last three months back and forth between attorneys and Insurance companies and just simply do not see it possible at this point to keep the park open to the public. I will continue to pursue this, but will not be able to allow the park to be open after Jan 10, 2012. I hate it just as bad as everyone else. I have poured a lot of time and money into this place for us all to enjoy, but I have to consider the worst case at this point.

[lt99ls1]

We need to start up an LLC and buy us some land to wheel on.  {cheers2}

[Krawler00]

 {letseat}

[DOUG]

That would be awesome.  I know there are a few that exist in N GA but kept very quiet. 

[MMjeep]

im down {cheers2}

[Danny Kinder]

I'm down!!   {letseat}

[DOUG]

UPDATE from another forum:

"I've been talking with Bob the last couple of days. He is working on a "TOP SECRET" plan that may allow him to reopen the park in the spring.

I would suggest for those who want to support keeping this park open send Bob Youmans a note on Facebook and such and attend the January 7th & 8th "Final" ride. He is telling me he has reached a major milestone and if all goes ok he'll divulge the plan at that ride.

Also, clubs show show their support for the park. The new plan "could" mean something like a more club friendly/centric park. Not saying that's exactly where he's going but if it is you'll want to make sure you'll have a representative at the ride I would think.

[Krawler00]

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