DCNR Announces $339,060 Investment In 6 ATV, Snowmobile Projects; Next Grant Round Opening

On January 26, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced new grant funding totaling $339,060 that will support six facilities and trails for all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobiles.

“Derived from rider registration fees, these funds are used to help acquire trails and improve riding opportunities for ATV and snowmobile riding enthusiasts,” Dunn said. “We know the activity associated these trails and projects draw many visitors and have a positive economic impact on nearby communities.” 

The investments from the ATV Management Restricted Account and Snowmobile Management Restricted Account and the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program will support planning, construction or maintenance of ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities.

The grants awarded by county are:

-- Cambria and Clearfield-- Rock Run Recreation Area, Inc., $67,700, to construct a comfort station at the Rock Run Recreation Area facility in Chest Township.

-- Erie, Crawford and Warren – Tri-County Snowblazers, Inc., $49,700, to purchase equipment to construct and maintain approximately 60 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties. 

-- Fayette – Indian Creek Valley ATV Club, $54,900, to purchase equipment to construct and maintain approximately 42 miles of ATV trails in Saltlick Township. 

-- Lawrence and Butler – Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association, $40,760, to prepare a trail study to explore the feasibility of a 235-acre ATV and OHV facility in Slippery Rock and Muddy Creek townships. 

-- Monroe – Peaceful Woodlands Family Campground, $55,500, for the development o the Peaceful Woodlands Family Campground ATV Connector Trail in Tunkhannock Township.  Work to include construction of 0.1 miles of ATV trail from the campground to the Dixon Miller ATV Trail System. 

-- Northumberland -- Northumberland County Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Authority, $70,500, to include construction of a comfort station at the AOAA facility in Coal Township.

The department can award grants two times each year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities. 

Next Round Of Grants

The next ATV and Snowmobile grant round opens on February 1 and closes on March 31.  Read more here.

With a few limited exceptions, all snowmobiles and ATVs in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by DCNR. Statewide, Pennsylvania has about 26,600 active snowmobiles registered, and slightly more than 172,500 ATVs. 

Grants are administered by DCNR with funding provided from registrations.

More information about ATV/Snowmobile Grants is on the DCNR website.

Visit DCNR’s ATV Riding and Snowmobiling webpages to learn more about these recreational opportunities in state parks and forests.

  For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter, Visit the Good Natured DCNR Blog,  Click Here for upcoming events, Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Related Articles:

-- Start Applying For DCNR ATV, Snowmobile Project Grants Feb. 1

-- Earth Conservancy Hosts Feb. 11 Virtual Public Meeting On Potential Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area In Luzerne County

-- DCNR Now Accepting Applications For Community Park, Recreation, Conservation, Rivers, Riparian Buffer Grants

-- Applications Now Being Accepted For PA Sojourn Grants By PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers

-- House Committee Sets Oct. 1 Meeting To Discuss Bill To Open Public Lands, Trails, State Park, Forest Land To Off-Highway Motorcycles, Dirt Bikes, Sport Motorcycles

[Posted: January 26, 2021]  PA Environment Digest