Владельцы земли в Батон-Руж создали безопасный парк для квадроциклов и развивают экономику района

When Louis and Stephanie Allen saw a story about young riders navigating illegal ATVs across Baton Rouge's Mississippi Bridge, it sparked an idea. The Baton Rouge couple owned 35-plus acres of undeveloped property in Scotlandville and had been looking for creative ways to use it. Maybe creating a safe space for the youths to enjoy their off-road vehicles could be it. “And so we said, ‘You know what? We have the skills to do it. We have the property to do it. Let's do it,’” said Stephanie Allen. That was the beginning of the Throw Dat Dirt ATV Park & Trail in 2022, a venture that has expanded far beyond recreation. The Allens provide safety training and are helping to boost the economy in an area that has been overlooked for new development. By drawing visitors from outside the neighborhood to the park, located at 11890 Gibbens Road, the couple says they are bringing new dollars into the community. “We get to redevelop an area of the city that struggles for development dollars and for new businesses to come in and stay afloat, right?” Allen said. The ATV park only strengthened what the couple had already begun. They had established a teaching garden on the property, where they educate young people on farming and land literacy. The ATV park became another form of what they called “creative land use,” a way to make unused space functional while investing directly into the community. “The learning curve is very steep,” she said. “A lot of challenges, and then just the maintenance on it … We definitely bit off a chunk. But we are, I feel like we're the most prepared to do it.” Tourists who come to ride ATVs and explore the area often ask where to eat, where to stay, and what else is happening nearby, the couple said. In recent years, safety has become a major focus of their work. After discovering that ATV safety training was nonexistent locally and that people were traveling as far as Texas for such training, the Allens became certified instructors through the ATV Safety Institute (ASI). Now, they offer training sessions designed to teach both youths and adults how to ride responsibly. “There was nowhere close that offered safety training,” Stephanie Allen explained. “So, we stepped in to fill the gap.” In June, the park offered free training to community members during ATV Safety Week and OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Training Week. The couple hopes to expand access year-round, especially for younger riders. One of their biggest needs moving forward is securing more youth-sized ATVs, which can be just as expensive as full-sized models. With additional partnerships or funding, the couple said they hope to broaden their programs and reach younger participants. At its heart, this is not just a business — it's an extension of the Allens’ life and values. They describe themselves as “serial entrepreneurs,” combining their individual business experience into shared efforts that benefit their family and neighborhood. They've raised two sons but say their impact goes far beyond their household. Neighborhood kids regularly gather at their home and on the property, participating in projects, learning skills, and building relationships. “As far as we're concerned, they're all our sons,” she said. “They come from everywhere. They eat together, work together and grow together.” From constructing trails to growing their garden, the Allens say every project is designed to connect young people with practical skills and real-world applications. “Our primary goal is to make this a place where people can live, work and play,” she said. For now, the couple plans to continue expanding their safety programming and community partnerships, encouraging residents and visitors alike to stay connected through their website and social media for updates on upcoming training events. But their mission remains steady: invest in the next generation, uplift the community and prove that even neglected spaces can be transformed into something meaningful. This story was reported and written by Iyahnna Carter, a journalism student at Louisiana State University, with the support of the nonprofit Louisiana Collegiate News Collaborative, an LSU-led coalition of eight universities funded by the Henry Luce and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations.