County Seeks Grant to Reopen Park to Off-Road Vehicle Use

The county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to ask the state for a $299,000 grant to finance the reopening of the popular Indian Dunes Park, which was closed to off-road vehicles in March.

County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who moved to apply for the grant, said his office had “received hundreds of letters and phone calls about the need for this type of recreation” since the park was closed by its owner, the Newhall Land and Farming Co.

Newhall Land and Farming officials, who shut down the site without explanation, “may consider the reopening of a portion of Indian Dunes or other property on the Newhall Ranch,” Antonovich said.

He said the state funds, made available under the Motor Vehicle Act of 1971 to develop sites for off-road vehicles, would be administered by the state Department of Parks and Recreation. Under the program, the county could lease, develop, operate and maintain the site.

The 600-acre park, a popular destination for owners of off-road motorcycles, three-wheelers, go-carts and four-wheel-drive vehicles, was the county’s only legal off-road motorcycle park, county officials said.