By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
The recent stretch of rain has softened the ground significantly and the Caribou ATV Club and the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department are reminding ATV operators that the trails in the Caribou system will remain closed until further notice.
Cathy Martin, president of the Caribou ATV club is satisfied with the restraint that ATV operators have used to date. “With a majority of our trails on private property, we really wish to encourage riders to respect landowners and wait until the system opens. We appreciate the riders cooperation to date.” said Martin.
Kathy Mazzuchelli, superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, has indicated that this is a difficult time of year as riders are anxious to get out and about but getting out too early could jeopardize trails in the area.
“The development of the Caribou bypass will create some significant changes on trails in the area of the new highway construction,” stated Mazzuchelli. “Riders are reminded that the Park and Ride facility located off of Otter Street in Caribou, will be an active construction site and riders are asked to use caution and follow signs when entering and exiting the park and ride as well as the trail that leaves the rail-bed and accesses businesses at Skyway Plaza and Bennett Drive.”
The existing park and ride will eventually be relocated and a new concrete underpass will allow access from the trail to the park and ride and businesses along Bennett Drive.
“Another area impacted by the by-pass construction,” Mazzuchelli said, “will be the cross town connector trail between Route 161 and the Bangor Aroostook Trail. The new roadway will create re-routes periodically on this section of the route when the trails open. Riders are encouraged to pay attention to signs and proceed with caution.
For further information contact the Caribou Parks and Recreation office at 493-4224.
