Angry residents joined by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Wednesday tried to head off a motorcycle group's bid to purchase 730 acres around John's Peak, demanding county commissioners stand steadfast in opposition to expansion of a national off-road vehicle park.

The Motorcycle Riders Association wants to buy land using a state off-road vehicle grant around John's Peak to add to 506 acres it owns nearby. The land would be part of about 25,000 acres the BLM plans for an off-road vehicle park from Ruch to Gold Hill.

Residents say the MRA proposal will increase the amount of off-road vehicles around John's Peak that already have created a nuisance to nearby property owners in an area that stretches from the Applegate to rural Central Point.

"It's like a pig in a parlor," said Applegate resident Mike Higgins, referring to all-terrain vehicle users whom he says have no respect for private property.

A letter from the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce asked commissioners to back away from supporting a state grant that would enable the motorcycle group to purchase the $1.82 million property from LaMinora Properties Inc., a subsidiary of Forest Capital Partners. To obtain the money, the motorcycle association needs the county to essentially co-sign the grant, which could open the county to liability problems.

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"The county would also be ultimately liable for anything that happened on these properties, which would be a fiscally irresponsible move on the part of the commissioners given the county's budget crunch," said Terry Gieg, president of the Jacksonville chamber.

Members of the MRA weren't present at the commission meeting, but they have said previously that they want to obtain the land to restore the forests and to block off and rehabilitate some of the deeper trails. David Lexow, president of the MRA, couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.

About 25 residents showed up at the meeting. Carolyn Kingsworth, who lives on Old Military Road in rural Central Point, submitted a petition signed by 1,320 residents opposed to the motorcycle park.

"This will not be the last piece of property that the MRA will try to buy," said Kingsworth. "It's the wrong place for a national off-road vehicle park."

The MRA previously had applied for state money to purchase another 140-acre parcel, but commissioners decided not to co-sign that grant.

"It seems you don't want to handle the hot potato," said Edward Payne, who lives near Gold Hill. "I would advise you to kill it."

Payne said the motorcycle riders have caused endless problems on his property, including burglary and vandalism. "I have all the problems and no police protection," he said.

Jack Duggan, a Forest Creek Road landowner, said residents opposed to the off-road vehicle park outnumber all-terrain vehicle riders who support it.

Commissioner Jack Walker said the county needed to make a decision on whether it supports backing the motorcycle group's efforts.

But County Counsel Doug McGeary told Walker the county already had made a policy statement earlier not to sign any kind of agreement for land purchases. Commissioners Dave Gilmour and C.W. Smith had approved the policy decision, while Walker had not.

Walker said he thought the matter should be aired publicly so both sides could weigh in on the county's decision. "We have never had anybody on the other side of this issue," he said.

But Gilmour said, "The other side has spoken to us individually many times."

Smith said the county has too many other problems and should remain neutral on this issue. "There's always the liability no matter how you cut it," he said.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.