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Friends group asks Walworth County to allow UTVs to ferry seniors and people with disabilities at White River Park
Summary
At the May 19 Walworth County Park Committee meeting, members of the Friends of White River County Park asked the committee to consider amending park rules to allow a motorized UTV/ATV to transport elderly and disabled visitors on non-paved trails; no formal rule change was made.
Members of the Friends of White River County Park told the Walworth County Board Park Committee on May 19 they want permission to use a privately owned UTV/ATV to give rides to elderly and mobility‑limited visitors at White River County Park.
The Friends’ president, Don Root, said the group bought a UTV a few years ago “on the premise that 1 of the workers that worked alongside you guys kinda told us that we would be allowed to use this ATV for the use of taking elderly handicapped people on a tour of the park.” He asked the committee to consider a “special permit” or modification to park rules so the vehicle could be used safely to give access to hilly, uneven areas of the park.
The request drew personal testimony from longtime park users. Judy Anderson said she used to live on the farm that became the park and described the trails as “up and down” and “not a paved sidewalk,” adding, “I feel bad now when I can't go down to the river.” Sonia Daley, a life member of the Friends group, said, “I can't make it around the trails anymore, and I would really like to be able to go.”
Committee members asked clarifying questions but did not adopt any rule changes during the meeting. The transcript shows the item was raised during the public comment period; no staff report or motion to change park regulations was recorded at the time.
The petition from the Friends seeks a limited, safety‑focused accommodation rather than unrestricted motorized access: speakers emphasized rides would be occasional and intended to provide access to scenic spots such as the river and pond, not for recreational use. The committee did not vote on a permit or ordinance change; next steps were not specified during the meeting.
At the meeting, staff did not present a draft permit, code amendment, or timeline for further review. If the committee wants to pursue a rule change, the record indicates staff would need to draft recommended language, assess insurance and liability implications, and potentially route any change through county ordinance or administrative procedure.
