Elk County Riders awarded DCNR grant to fund trailhead project
The Elk County Riders were awarded a $420,600 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for the development of their Trail of Dreams project.
The new grant funding announced on Monday by DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn totals $793,800 for all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related projects. The investments from the ATV Management Restricted Account will support construction and acquisition of ATV trails and facilities.
“We are ready to start the trailhead. Everything is in place,” said Cheryl Ruffner, Elk County Riders treasurer, who noted the group received over half the grant money awarded.
The Elk County Riders plan to utilize the new funding for work in Fox Township which includes construction of an ATV trailhead and comfort facility at 632 Boone Mountain Road in Kersey, create ADA access to the site, landscaping, a project sign and other related site improvements. The comfort station will consist of a standalone building containing re- strooms. On-lot sewage will also be built into the site.
The Elk County Riders are funding the construction of a pavilion to be constructed on the trailhead as well. Ruffner explained the trailhead is open to the public and is not just for ATV riders as it provides a nice stopping point for those passing through the area.
The group purchased the property for the Fox Township Trailhead in 2022. They partnered with Seneca Resources to help clear the land including removing stumps and burning brush.
“DCNR supports projects that improve upon and expand out- door recreation op- portunities across the Commonwealth, and we are excited to announce funding for this round of ATV projects,” Dunn said. “We look forward to seeing the impact of these projects and encourage worthy projects to apply for the upcoming spring grant round.”
Currently there are about 250 members of the Elk County Riders, which was established six years ago as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its members work to advance recreation and safety of on-road and off-road vehicles and to provide an atmosphere of fellowships among riders. The group hosts events throughout the year for everyone to participate in and enjoy the trails.
Upcoming the group’s 2024 riding events schedule are: Winterfest ’24 on February 17; Ride Into Summer on June 8; 5 Years of Fun in Spring Run on August 3; Colors of Elk County on Sunday, Oct. 13; and a members only ride to be announced at a later date.
Additional grant recipients were:
•Indian Creek Valley ATV Club was awarded $69,000 towards the acquisition of approximately 61 acres in Saltlick Township, Fayette County to provide approximately 2.5 miles of ATV trail.
•NEP Sno Trails was awarded $304,200 toward the acquisition of approximately 135 acres in Clifford and Herrick townships and Union Dale Borough, Susquehanna County and Mt. Pleasant and Preston townships, Wayne County, to provide approximately 11 miles of ATV trail.
DCNR can award grants twice a year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities. The spring ATV and snowmobile applications will be accepted February 1 through March 29. Applications will only be accepted electronically through DCNR’s online grant application system.
Proposed projects eligible for these grants include planning, land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance, and construction, and development of educational programs
related to snowmobile and ATV trails and facilities. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations in Pennsylvania.
No match is required for this funding, but applications providing match will be given additional consideration. Funding for these grants comes from the ATV and Snowmobile Restricted Accounts, which are funded through registration fees that riders pay. With a few limited exceptions, all snowmobiles and ATVs in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by DCNR.
Statewide, Pennsylvania has nearly 34,000 active snowmobiles registered and nearly 289,000 ATVs.
DCNR offers two grant rounds annually for ATV and snowmobile projects.
Grants awarded last spring supported 10 projects totaling more than $1.3 million.
For more information on motorized recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s snowmobiling and ATV riding web pages.