A Joint Planning Board hearing in Sharon Tuesday will consider a request by Paul and Pam Tichy to build a sports park behind the Log House on Route 20.
The park is allowed by special permit; the hearing will begin at 7:10pm in the Municipal Building.
According to Ms. Tichy, the family-oriented Rockville Ridge will be built on 50 acres they own off Route 20 and is intended for dirt bikes, ATVs, and go-carts.
Ms. Tichy said they plan to have multiple courses, including a 4x4 challenge, and there will be a heavy emphasis on safety.
People using the park will trailer in their own equipment, she said.
“Our emphasis is on a fun, safe, riding experience,” she said.
“There’s really no place around here for something like this and we think it will provide a good economic boost for the area.”
Ms. Tichy said she and her husband expect the park to draw families and professionals from out of the area, though locals will be welcome as well.
“The thing about bringing in people from outside is that they’ll be looking for places to eat, buy gas…” she said.
“Thunder Customs and the Log House are right next door…maybe people will even stay in town for the night.”
The Tichys planned to move into their new home next to the proposed site over the weekend, Ms. Tichy said, making them a neighbor.
They’ve already done sound checks, she said, and pointed out all of the machines are required to have mufflers.
“We don’t want to create something negative in the community,” she said, “but this is something we think will be good economically without having a big draw on local services.”
If the project gets its special use permit, Ms. Tichy said they hope to have at least one track open by August 1.
The sports park will be seasonal, opening as soon in the spring as the weather permits and possibly open as late as Thanksgiving—again depending on the weather.
Initially, the park will be open just weekends, possibly expanding into Friday and Monday as the project grows.
Ms. Tichy said because of the terrain, only a small portion of the park will be visible from Route 20.
The name Rockville Ridge is a nod to the “uptown” portion of the village, once known as Rockville.