Bad idea time!

StG58

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Orygun, the wet side...
Something in another thread sparked an idea. I know, that's a bad thing for me, right?

Oregon really doesn't have a good off road park. Lots of trails, a few OHV areas that are OK and thousands of miles of general trails. But no off road "destination". Jeeps are pretty much the unofficial vehicle of non-urban Oregon. The bloody things are everywhere, and in all states of modification and maintenance. Lots of very enthusiastic Jeeple in the area.

Large parcels of suitable land are available.

The State of Oregon actively supports destination spots like this.

So, here's the idea. Hair brained at the moment, but an idea. A professional, commercial off road destination. A Jeep park.

Here's what I was thinking:
  • Jeep park with trails
  • Rock garden
  • Mud pit
  • Hill climb
  • Trail runs from beginner to advanced.
Other ideas:
  • Camping with amenities
  • General store
  • Restaurant
  • Shop for repairs and mods, parts and supplies sales
  • Tours like Oregon Trail, Wine country, Tall Timber, Ghost towns
  • Schools - off road 101 through whatever, winching, field expedient repair, camping in a Jeep, Tread Lightly, land navigation, first aid and wilderness first aid.
  • Festivals - Snowfest, Trailfest, Winefest, Salmonfest, Ugliest Jeep...
So, who's got ideas and what do you think? What would it take to get you to drive across the country to visit? What would it take to get you to come back?
 
Moved this to the General Jeep Discussion. It's still Jeep related, and I think more people will see it there!

I know so many people who would love a dedicated off-road park, honestly. With the way off-road land and trails is becoming so scarce, it would be a welcome addition.

I would be sure to make visitors sign an ironclad waiver, and I would enforce certain rules such as cleaning up after yourself and such. You get X amount of warnings, and after that you're permanently banned.
 
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Moved this to the General Jeep Discussion. It's still Jeep related, and I think more people will see it there!

I know so many people who would love a dedicated off-road park, honestly. With the way off-road land and trails is becoming so scarce, it would be a welcome addition.

I would be sure to make visitors sign an ironclad waiver, and I would enforce certain rules such as cleaning up after yourself and such. You get X amount of warnings, and after that you're permanently banned.
Good points, all @Chris. The waiver would be an absolute requirement. You'd get a printed set of rules, and sign the last page that you understand and will abide by them. We'd both get a copy. I'm a bit of an a-hole about safety, so there would be no warnings given, you'd be shown the rule you violated and agreed to and be escorted off the property. Second time, banned for life. On the other side of the coin, you would get a half hour or so introduction where all of the amenities and rules would be explained to you.

I gotta make it kid friendly...Love kids, and they are the future. Do some basic outdoor stuff just for them that's age appropriate, maybe? Something like camping and outdoor skills, or "Barbie" Jeeps to mess with in a sand pit by the campground? Something to engage them and get them revved up, anyway.
 
Good points, all @Chris. The waiver would be an absolute requirement. You'd get a printed set of rules, and sign the last page that you understand and will abide by them. We'd both get a copy. I'm a bit of an a-hole about safety, so there would be no warnings given, you'd be shown the rule you violated and agreed to and be escorted off the property. Second time, banned for life. On the other side of the coin, you would get a half hour or so introduction where all of the amenities and rules would be explained to you.

I gotta make it kid friendly...Love kids, and they are the future. Do some basic outdoor stuff just for them that's age appropriate, maybe? Something like camping and outdoor skills, or "Barbie" Jeeps to mess with in a sand pit by the campground? Something to engage them and get them revved up, anyway.

Well, when I say "warnings", I only mean in regards to something like not cleaning up after yourself. That's something I'd be willing to give a warning or two for. But when it comes to safety (think winching situations), I wouldn't give any warnings for clearly reckless behavior. Making a mistake is one thing, but doing something with clear disregard for safety (and knowing damn well what you're doing) is inexcusable. You'd have to have a lawyer sit down and write up all the legal stuff, because you want to make sure you're 100% protected. You don't want some asshat trying to file a lawsuit against you because he hurt himself on your land.

Kid friendly would be a good idea. I'd almost suggest some sort of miniature off-road park for kids. You know, it could have Jeep Power Wheels and little terrain for them to go over. I think everyone would enjoy that, because the Jeepers who have young kids (myself included) find it nearly impossible to go anywhere without some way of entertaining them.
 
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God, I hate lawyers, but you're right of course. I see what you're saying on the rules violations, things like litter, excessive noise at teh wrong time, inappropriate behavior...those sorts of things.

That's what I was thinking, about the kids. Dad could go play in the "sand box" with the kids while Mom gets a little wheeling time / class in. Or visa versa. That would take some careful supervision though. Some people's kids, or some people AND their kids...lol.
 
God, I hate lawyers, but you're right of course. I see what you're saying on the rules violations, things like litter, excessive noise at teh wrong time, inappropriate behavior...those sorts of things.

That's what I was thinking, about the kids. Dad could go play in the "sand box" with the kids while Mom gets a little wheeling time / class in. Or visa versa. That would take some careful supervision though. Some people's kids, or some people AND their kids...lol.
Tons of off road parks out there. So it can be done. To really make money, you need to open it up to side by sides, atvs, and dirtbikes.

There is actually one owned and operated by the city here in Alabama. So its actually a public park.

http://www.stonylonesomeohv.us/

 
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Tons of off road parks out there. So it can be done. To really make money, you need to open it up to side by sides, atvs, and dirtbikes.

There is actually one owned and operated by the city here in Alabama. So its actually a public park.

http://www.stonylonesomeohv.us/
I'll check that out! Thanks for the link, @Fouledplugs.

I've got a thing for side by sides, atv's and dirt bikes. It's not a very good thing, either. There's history there. I'll put it on the list and think about it though if the financials start to not work out.
 
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There has to be some off road parks up there? If not, really hope off road parks make their way up there to where you guys are at.

Maybe reach out to some etablished parks and see if you could pick their brain on startup. Im sure one or two of them could point you in the righr direction.

Or contact your state, convince them to mange it or and see about getting some people to help raise funds or something. Creating jobs, safe place to wheel, and provididng family fun being that it provides camping or log cabins. Just some ideas.
 
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There has to be some off road parks up there? If not, really hope off road parks make their way up there to where you guys are at.

Maybe reach out to some etablished parks and see if you could pick their brain on startup. Im sure one or two of them could point you in the righr direction.

Or contact your state, convince them to mange it or and see about getting some people to help raise funds or something. Creating jobs, safe place to wheel, and provididng family fun being that it provides camping or log cabins. Just some ideas.
There are various OHV areas provided by the state, BLM and the Forest Service. They're all pretty one dimensional though. And get crowded at times. Lots of crazies seem to collect, and someone is always getting tangled up with somebody else. That's something that I hope to head off at the pass.

Getting in touch with an established park is a really good idea. If they would share information, it would shortcut a lot of mistakes and certainly make success more assured. I love learning from others errors!

Oregon has a strong development commission, so they are certainly on the list. Already thinking of ways to spin it, sell it and maybe collect some support in the process. If I could convince the local bunny huggers to buy in and support the project, the irony would make me giggle every time I thought of it. It's on the list!

Good stuff! Thanks!
 
We have a couple orv parks in Michigan, each a couple hours from where I live. Afaik, one of them allows non road going vehicles (aka side by side, quad, dirt bike, et. al). They have a separate area to play in. The other doesn't allow them. I like that, because here we have MILES of snowmobile trails that are width restricted...meaning my wrangler is too wide, but side by sides fit. It also really limits my exploring of road.

Camping is a must, I like the idea of having activities for the kiddos. Classes and a shopping center is a great idea too. It's gonna take some capital though...and I think it would be a long payback time. It would be a labor of love, cuz I think you'd have to live there tho manage properly.
 
Is there a provision on Oregon where veterans can buy land with special financing? In Texas, there are is a special program for veterans can use to buy land and there are enough veterans around here that it is something to think about.


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Love it!

I'm a Veteran and the state has lots of programs and financing for Vets.

Capitol for somethung like this would have to be OPM, for sure. Done right I bet you could break even the first year. I'd have to work up a business plan and pencil it out to make sure. Winter cash flow might be a problem the first couple of years.

Oh bummer, make me live on a Jeep Ranch. Don't think that'll work out.

Shooting sports. Hmmm...
 
I'm thinking a camping area would be nice. For people who wanted to come with their RV or toy hauler, they would have a place to camp (and RV hookups) where they could stay for a while. I think that would attract a lot of out-of-staters.

Obviously you'd charge for it. You know, the more I think about this, the more I could really, really see this being successful. I'll handle the web / marketing / SEO side of things!
 
There's enough talent here, amongst us, to get really, really close to making it a going concern.

Oregon has a State forest up for sale, but it's too far south. Hmmm...

Let me look around a little and some digging.

There's some good ideas coming out so far.
 
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I like the way your thinking @StG58 ... That would be awesome. Maybe even have somebody to sit next to first timers and take them out on the trail giving them the basics etc. (and yes they pay for his time) maybe a small adventure park for the kids, like a small commando course of something.
 
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I like the way your thinking @StG58 ... That would be awesome. Maybe even have somebody to sit next to first timers and take them out on the trail giving them the basics etc. (and yes they pay for his time) maybe a small adventure park for the kids, like a small commando course of something.
Want to fly over and rent a TJ for the day or a weekend or???

You could go to the regional Jeep Dealerships and offer them a discount on a New Jeepers Package to throw into their sales pitch. "Hey, listen, if you buy the Rubicon today, we'll throw in a weekend at the Jeep Ranch and two off roading lessons of your choice."
 
Want to fly over and rent a TJ for the day or a weekend or???

You could go to the regional Jeep Dealerships and offer them a discount on a New Jeepers Package to throw into their sales pitch. "Hey, listen, if you buy the Rubicon today, we'll throw in a weekend at the Jeep Ranch and two off roading lessons of your choice."
I'm in,where do I sign ?...lol