Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday joined Indian Creek Valley ATV Club officials and members in a celebration of the club’s acquisition of almost 88 acres that expands ATV riding opportunities in Fayette County.
DCNR facilitated the acquisition by awarding a grant to the club, which stresses ATV riding instruction, safe operation and respect for the land. Indian Creek Valley ATV Club offers its members 52 miles of trails winding through club lands and property leased from area private owners.
“I commend you for the club accomplishment celebrated here today,” Dunn told a gathering of club members and local officials, “and congratulate you for its track record of working to provide and expand safe, quality off-road riding experiences for ATV enthusiasts. Clubs like this go a long way to instill training, safety and environmental awareness within the ATV riding community while, at the same time, boosting local economies.”
The secretary noted Fayette is among the leading counties in ATV registration in Pennsylvania, where Bureau of Forestry figures as of May 1, show there were 170,196 active registrations and 109,073 limited registrations. In Fayette County, those figures are 3,520 and 7,766, respectively.
“We know ATV enthusiasts always are seeking new, safe trails on which to ride, and the Indian Creek Valley ATV Club helps answer that call,” Dunn said. “You folks should be proud of what you now offer both the seasoned rider and newcomers to the sport.”
The secretary and club officers and members were joined by township officials at the dedication, held at the club’s new trailhead on Melcroft Road, Saltlick Township.
“Our club is excited to get this grant and increase our permanent riding area to 163 acres and our overall area to 970 acres,” Indian Creek Valley ATV Club President Al Sain told the group. “The new land provides abundant opportunities for scenic views, challenging trails, and member amenities. We look forward to working with local businesses to improve the local economy and provide additional services to our members like groceries, gas, camping and storage.”
The Indian Creek Valley ATV Club was formed in September 2000 as a family-oriented organization promoting safety and respect for the environment. Today, the club boasts 255 family memberships, including 543 riders and 395 machines.
The club operates a riding area of trails made possible through the leasing of 796 acres from 12 property owners. All trail maintenance is completed by the membership.
With the latest acquisition, the club now owns 163 acres of property to go with their leased land. In 2016, the Club bought its first 65 acres with its own funding.
For more information on ATV riding in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s All Terrain Vehicle Riding webpage. For information on ATV-related grants, visit DCNR’s Grant Opportunities webpage.
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