Vehicles will be impounded by local police

North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board voted unanimously at the April 25 Board Meeting to enact legislation that prohibits All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) on Town property. The law includes dirt bikes and snow mobiles as well. The new law’s intent is to halt the economic and environmental damage done by ATV’s to undeveloped land, such as the Town’s 200 wooded acres opposite North Hempstead Beach Park. During recent community visioning for the redevelopment of North Hempstead Beach Park, many residents voiced concern over ATV use on those wooded acres, which include fragile wetlands and wildlife habitat.

“While there is a place for ATV’s, we believe that Town property is not one of those places,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “It is our hope to preserve that wooded land for nature trails and educational purposes. ATV’s, snow mobiles and dirt bikes do not align with our vision for this property. In addition, there are certainly safety issues when people are using ATV’s, unsupervised, leaving them open to accidents or injuries in a location that was not meant for that use.”

The law states that the operation of ATV’s on Town property poses a risk of injury or death for residents and causes environmental damage to public parks and other Town recreational areas. It addresses ATV use only on Town property and roads. Also, any ATV operated in violation of this law will be subject to impoundment by local police officers. Also, the owner of the ATV found in violation of this law is subject to a fine of up to $1,500, for the first offense, as well as jail time of up to 15 days.

Nassau County also has an ATV law on the books, which addresses ATV use on County property and roads.

The intent of the new law is to protect the safety of Town residents as well as the Town’s environment by restricting the use of ATVs on Town property.