Supporters request help with ATV park reopening in Bulloch County

BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Supporters of a controversial ATV park in Bulloch County say they want the park back open, and they made their requests before county commissioners Tuesday night.

WTOC first reported on Savage Trails when neighbors of the ATV park said people were drunk driving and dangerous conditions were getting out of hand. The county then ordered a ‘cease and desist’ and forced the park to close. Bulloch County leaders told WTOC this was due to environmental and permit violations.

At a county commissioners meeting on October 7th, the county attorney said Savage Trails was “an illegal use from its inception,” having never obtained a conditional use permit required to operate a commercial recreation facility.

During Tuesday night’s Bulloch County Commission meeting, park supporters asked county leaders to work with them to reopen the park.

“I beg you to come out to the park one Saturday and see the families that are riding four-wheelers,” said one speaker at Monday’s meeting. “Dads and kids and moms are fixing buggies together. Folks, this should be something Bulloch County is proud of.”

Back in October, county leaders said they are waiting on the permit applications from the park before any action can be taken. At the time, a Savage Trails representative told WTOC, they are in the process of obtaining that permit while the park is closed.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, commissioners said, “We are not against Savage Trails, but we have a due process we have to go by.”

The same speaker also stated before the commission, “All I’m asking is for ya’ll to work with us on this and allow us to open back up, because it is more than just a park to us. It’s our family.”

During the meeting, commissioners discussed a zoning amendment for several commercial properties and dwellings, including go-cart, ATVs and motorbike tracks and trails. Commissioners voted to table the decision until the December 2nd meeting.