Hanover Police Department Off Road Vehicles Information

The Town of Hanover has several town-owned Open Space parcels that are managed as Public Conservation Land. These properties are open for passive recreation and activities such hiking, jogging, nature study, horseback riding, and fishing. No motorized vehicles are allowed except in the parking areas. This includes the use of motorized dirt bikes and ATV’s.

There have been several recent reports by Hanover residents of motorized bikes and ATV’s on town-owned Open Space trails. These incidents have been reported to the Police, the Conservation Commission, and to the Open Space Committee. In addition to the noise issue, some of the town trails have been significantly altered by riding activities, and rutted and impassible trails are becoming more common on these properties.

In an effort to educate the community about the Open Space regulations and to end the riding on these trails, the Police, the Conservation Department, and the Open Space Committee will be coordinating an education and enforcement effort in the town. Signs will be posted on Open Space trail entrances, newspapers will be contacted, and every effort will be made to educate riders and their parents about the prohibition of this activity on town-owned open space. If these efforts are successful, there should be a reduction in the use of these motorized vehicles. If this approach is not successful in ending this activity, the Police Department will be increasing their enforcement activities, including the issuing of tickets and confiscating bikes and ATV’s.

There are legal riding trails in Southeastern MA that are maintained by the MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation. These are located in Freetown/Fall River and in Wrentham/Franklin. For more information on these sites and to learn more about registering ORV’s, riding season dates, age restrictions, etc., visit the MASS.Gov website and type in Off-Road Vehicle Rules and Regulations and then click on Dept. of Conservation & Recreation. There is a section on ORV’s.

The riding of these vehicles on privately owned property (with the permission of the owner and with proper registration) is also an option for riders. If town officials learn about areas where riding is allowed we will pass this information on to bike & ATV owners.

Please click the link below to read the Department of Conservation and Recreation website on the state's website.

Mass.gov Department of Conservation and Recreation