A Silver City resident raised ongoing access and parking problems for side-by-side (utility terrain) vehicles during the public-comment portion of the Oct. 23 Grant County commission meeting.

The speaker, who identified himself as Paul Foreman, said he frequently uses a side-by-side to reach remote areas such as Macknight Fire Cabin and that private property and lack of designated parking force residents to trailer vehicles long distances to reach public trails. Foreman described hauling a 24-foot gooseneck trailer and having to park on narrow canyon shoulders, and said there are few public parking options adjacent to forest roads such as Alley Canyon.

Foreman asked why the county could not pursue a resolution to permit or clarify access for side-by-sides on certain county routes, saying those vehicles are in some cases safer than passenger vehicles on narrow, crooked roads and that residents rely on them for travel and recreation. He said many of the forest roads mentioned are on private property, so users must obtain permission to park and unload.

The chair responded that the U.S. Forest Service controls parking on federal land and said he has contacted the agency to ask whether designated parking can be provided at some Forest Service trailheads to reduce risky roadside parking.

Why it matters: Residents who rely on off-road vehicles for access and recreation reported limited safe parking and confusion about where such vehicles may legally travel or be staged. The county chair said staff have raised the issue with the Forest Service; the comment ties to public-safety and access concerns in rural areas.

Whats next: The commission indicated it will follow up with the Forest Service about possible parking solutions; staff did not give a timeline for further action.