Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, May 25, 2012
(SALEM) - Volunteers on horseback have started patrolling Salem’s Henderson Park in an effort to cut down on the use of ATVs within the 400-acre site.
The park, west of Salem, is owned by the City of Salem but the Indiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy has a conservation easement that allows that agency to manage the area.
Chad Bladow, director of land stewardship for the Nature conservancy says abuse by people is posing a threat to the area.
here are ATV trails on the property and riders are potentially causing erosion and damaging vegetation. Four-wheelers and ATVs are strictly prohibited.
Bladow said the horse patrols are restricted to official city use and that using volunteers on horseback is a more feasible way to patrol because of the large area the park covers. The three volunteers are Terry McNeely, Michael Puree and Joe Baker.
Bladow says visitors to the park will be able to identify them because they will wear bright orange vests and carry identification.
The park is open to the public, but visitors are to be on foot and need to check in with the Salem Police Department.
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