This is an urgent appeal to all trail users to respect and obey closure signs of trails, roads, and depots that have been closed off due to timber harvesting and hauling operations. These trails and routes have been closed off for your own safety as timber operations are inherently dangerous and failure to abide by the rules could result in serious injury or worse.
In the last month we have had seven reported incidents of trail users disobeying trail closure signage and riding, walking or running through active timber operations. During one of these incidents a dog that was being walked off-leash ran at a chainsaw operator while they were busy cutting logs in an area that was closed off to trail users. This incident could have resulted in serious injury for either parties, but fortunately nobody was hurt.
We have to seriously reiterate that trail and route closures have to be obeyed at all times. If trail users are found to be in contravention of these regulations, there will be consequences, and harsh disciplinary action will be taken. Trespassing individuals will have their trail privileges revoked and legal action may be taken by the land owners, Sappi, if they so wish. Security patrols in these areas will be increased and trespassers will be detained.
We are privileged to be able to use these trails as they are on private land. If these contraventions of trail closures in active timber operations do not stop, then we may well be in a situation where our land access and trail privileges get revoked. This would be a very sad outcome as we know that the majority of trail users abide by the rules and we do not want a few individuals to ruin it for everyone else.
Once again, we are asking for all trail users to abide by the rules and respect the privilege we have of using this incredible land for everyone’s continued enjoyment.
We thank you for your understanding and co-operation
Karkloof Country Club