Although I feel badly for the parents of the teen who died when his ATV hit a tree in Slater Park yesterday, it's irritating to hear people starting to call this boy a hero because he swerved out of the way of pedestrians prior to the crash. What he was doing is illegal and extremely dangerous to the riders and pedestrains who use the path legally.

There have been illegal motorcycles, ATVs and unleashed dogs creating dangerous situations on the bike path since it opened several years ago. Just last week, I yelled to 2 boys who were racing their motorcycles close to the EP/Pawtucket line on the path, as just around the bend, I was aware of small children on bicycles whom I had just walked past. The boys stopped their motorcycles and one of them aggresively confronted me. He indicated that he was seventeen years old and was not about to be admonished by an "old man" - (I'm pushing 50). He suggested we fight it out. My wife, certainly the most reasonable of the two of us, suggested I walk away. The young man's associate, also on a motorcycle, was imploring the aggressive youth away as well.

The bottom line is - motorized vehicles are against the law on the Slater Parks paths . That also goes for dog owners who walk their large dogs unleashed. I have been jumped on by several dogs, which their owners find "cute".

The bike path is supposed to be a safe haven for citizens to get some excercise or a scenic stroll. At times, it seems more like a reenactment of a Road Warrior movie.

JOSH I MISS YOU BABY BOY RIP I LOVE U !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ILL SEE YOU WHEN I GET THERE TILL THEN LOCK IT DOWN XOXOXO KATIE

JOSH rest in peace meet me at the gates although people say it is illegal you r still a hero

DAM I MISS YOU STUFF WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AS IT WAS YOU WERE MY RIGTH HAND MAN I LOVE U RIP JOSH

RIP JOSH ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED

This is exaclty why RI needs to set aside a legal place for ATV's to ride. Alot of us pay the state to register these vehicles and yet we still cannot legally ride them in RI. I feel sorry for the young man who died and his familym but as others have stated, there could have been innocent bystanders hurt or killed as well.
RIP!

If they're illegal in RI, why buy them?

These teens that think that they are above the law, and exempt from the restrictions on motorcycle/ATV use in the park got exactly what they deserve. God only knows how many people they scared and tormented in the days and weeks prior to striking the tree.
The Police try to stop they and they elude them and laugh at the Police knowing that they cannot catch them.
If he had obeyed the law he would be alive today...he is NO HERO!

damn kid its been a year already we miss you and love R.I.P JOSH....and if i find this guy paul who is being disrespectful on this page i dont care how old he is he catch an ass whoopin..