Stop Three Rivers Park District!!!!!!!!

[Johnny_Magellan]

I'm not sure how many of you frequent their parks, but I spent some time looking for morels within a West Metro park that's recently changed to a Three Rivers park.

About two weeks ago I was out looking for morels when I was approached by two Park Patrols driving their SUV down a gravel trail. They actually had the nerve to tell me I was disturbing the natural elements of the park and that they were going to issue me a warning citation for hiking off trail within their park.

First off, nowhere was that rule posted anywhere in the park, so how they could enforce that is beyond me.

Secondly, how does someone driving a vehicle through there say something so ridiculous to someone hiking?

I e-mailed the park commissioners about my plight and asked why out of thousands of acres of our parks, why we'd only be able to enjoy and observe whatever we can from the small fraction of those parks that are either paved or gravel trails? For me, someone that truly enjoys the outdoors, there is neither anything to gain, enjoy, or observe from a trail of any interest.

I can see how there is a huge difference of opinion from the actual "metro" and the people who frequent those parks. But this was a much more rural area, and there is a much different perception of what's to be enjoyed within rural parks.

If they want to maintain these trails for bicyclers and rollerbladers, fine. Better yet-put in some more sidewalks and pave bigger shoulders on the roads. But, leave the woods for those that actually enjoy them.

How many of you knew that you could get a ticket for going "off trail" within a park?

Ever heard of anything so ridiculous?

[JSW]

Yep, Thats the way they work. Unless you have drawn a "park" deer tag to scout for deer just before your season, better stay on the trail or they will harass you. It will not matter how remote you think your "park" is, their rules appy to all of the parks. ( I also hunt morels) Jim

[LightningBG]

I looked at their site and cant find anything with any rules regarding it.

They do offer "geocaching" at all of the parks in the district. You would think that would include some off trail hiking.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I know a guy who was removed from one of the Three Rivers Parks because he was picking morels. He was told that picking morels is prohibited and they walked him out.

[Johnny_Magellan]

The chairman of the board of commissioners used a comparison between "discharging a firearm in certain areas" to off trail hiking at the park. Not all rules need to be posted, they're simply implied.

All the more reason people need to get kids outdoors to see what's beyond the bushes and trails and get them involved.

These people that have no idea about enjoying the outdoors are the ones creating rules and laws for those that do. Truly scary when you think about where we're heading...

[not_nuf_time]

Come on Johnny, you just don't understand the serious ramifications of picking up a fallen leaf or picking a mushroom (ironically a fungus) heading for its demise. Oh the horror of taking it out of its ecosystem.

[Jameson]

Quote:

How many of you knew that you could get a ticket for going "off trail" within a park?

Ever heard of anything so ridiculous?

Yep, I knew. Initially I thought it was ridiculous, too. If some of the park space is set aside for "Preserve" I don't think it's so ridiculous. It gives the critters a place to hide, namely the deer so that we aren't chasing them all around leading to them getting hit on the highways. If the critter numbers get out of control we should be able to attempt to control those numbers via the most humane way feasible, hunting.

So, basically setting aside some of the land not having the interests of people in mind, but rather doing what is best for the critters and plants doesn't sound very ridiculous to me.

...

(Morels aren't a fungus that 'decays' stuff. It is kind of like a fruiting plant, leaching nutrients from the soil and going about reproducing with it's mushroom.)

[Johnny_Magellan]

If they were truly interested in "preserving the natural elements within a park", how do they explain completely wiping out existing ecosystems to go in and build a golf course? How many of those pop up naturally?

[leech~~]

Yep, I knew. Initially I thought it was ridiculous, too. If some of the park space is set aside for "Preserve" I don't think it's so ridiculous. It gives the critters a place to hide, namely the deer so that we aren't chasing them all around leading to them getting hit on the highways. If the critter numbers get out of control we should be able to attempt to control those numbers via the most humane way feasible, hunting.

So, basically setting aside some of the land not having the interests of people in mind, but rather doing what is best for the critters and plants doesn't sound very ridiculous to me.

...

(Morels aren't a fungus that 'decays' stuff. It is kind of like a fruiting plant, leaching nutrients from the soil and going about reproducing with it's mushroom.)

Um, you may want to hike through the Palmer Lake park in BP which I do a few times a week. There are Deer and critters all over and they don't seem to be the least bit worried about people hiking, jogging or riding bikes. They adapt pretty well and they have had to have a few hunts to thin the herd from time to time. Out of the 1.000's that use these parks there are only a few that go off trail looking for mushrooms or deer sheads or just want to get back in the thick stuff which really is not hurting anything!

[SandPoint]

I live between 2 of "their", parks so I visit them fairly often and even befor Three Rivers took total control from the county it was like that. Also, can't shed hunt in them either but many do, same with shrooms But the park officials usually just tell people the rules and ask them to be on their way.

[Jameson]

Um, you may want to hike through the Palmer Lake park in BP which I do a few times a week. There are Deer and critters all over and they don't seem to be the least bit worried about people hiking, jogging or riding bikes. They adapt pretty well and they have had to have a few hunts to thin the herd from time to time. Out of the 1.000's that use these parks there are only a few that go off trail looking for mushrooms or deer sheads or just want to get back in the thick stuff which really is not hurting anything!

Please read how I wrote "some." No two places are alike. Perhaps Palmer Lake is a good candidate for an area where folks can go everywhere with little impact, but someplace else would not be.

It does pretty much suck that where I live I am surrounded by Three Rivers Parks. Thankfully their are a few city parks around and the neighboring counties aren't too far away. What I wouldn't give for a good sized State Forest, where nearly anything goes, to be put in near by.

[jigginjim]

May need to practice your hide and seek skills again. Put on some camo so you blend in the surrounding when the rangers come by. You could say your playing hide-n-seek, and your looking for the other people.

[Johnny_Magellan]

Funny, Jim.

I did have a camo shirt and hat on so bicyclers didn't see me when I'm close to the trail.

The lengths some mushroom hunters go to...

[catfishkid]

I have seen the three rivers parks go in and kill a huge area off of vegitation, and then go back and plant more trees where they just killed them. then they go and place high fence around that. I personally dont get it. I am with you about letting people off the trails. the majority of the parks are set up for looking at from a distance not useing them. just my .02

[bobbymalone]

It does pretty much suck that where I live I am surrounded by Three Rivers Parks.

.

Go live in St. Paul or Mpls for a while and you probably wouldn't be complaining about undeveloped park land surrounding you.

[JimBuck]

I've had my fair share of issues with three rivers in the past as well.I've also been chewed out for leaving the trail and hiking through the woods to take photographs. They have a tough time with properly displayed signage as well, I don't know how many times over the years I've had to hunt down a paybox on a three rivers launch that is painted brown and tucked away from the launch site.

I used to get a park pass every year but I've given up. It became too much hassle for me to get out and enjoy the outdoors in their parks.

[OnAFly]

I've had my troubles with these people. In my opinion, they ruin more land than they save.

[LightningBG]

Who is this mysterious group that calls themselves "Three Rivers". Were they just created out of thin air and given the task of doing whatever they want? Are these people voted in or anything?

[DARK30]

Are these parks currently closed by any chance? My son worked for the one near Prior Lake a couple of summers ago. He said they seemed like good people and they were never told to be "jerks" to the visitors.

[TonkaBass]

I'm not a fan of 3 streams... they let their heads get way too big IMHO. Should I call before so I don't trespass on their land?

[Johnny_Magellan]

They've got a Board of Commissioners that are voted in. I'm not sure by who, and for how long, though.

Seems like they've got a pretty warped sense of how land should be used and by who.

Bulldoze a trail you can pave through some woods for the bicyclers and rollerbladers, then put up a golf course with a ton of landscaping...

There. Done. Instant "natural" land for "everyone" to enjoy.

[Connan]

Ha, wow that is ridiculous. Your disturbing the nature by walking through it. Cant even enjoy nature in the park... I go to French park in Plymouth; a part of 3 rivers and it is so dumb they have signs up saying "No-dog's" on the trails that go through the woods. Instead you are supposed to walk your dog on the paved walking path. Which is also used by bikers, and walkers. I just say screw it and let my dog off his leash and let him do his business in the woods like hes supposed to. haha 3 rivers can suck it.

[TonkaBass]

LMAO! I agree, 3 Rivers gets on my nerves big time

[art321]

I got read the riot act by a park cop for walking off a designated trail once. How ridiculous to not be able to go where you want. Called it in and was told that is their policy. All that land and you can only view it from the paved paths with the bikers, rollerbladers, and hikers with dogs. Absurd!!!!

[pureinsanity]

Sounds like you should find a new park or some private land for shroom hunting.

It is sad that you cant remove a stick, a antler or a shroom from the land. But rules are rules.