On January 22, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced new grant funding totaling $793,800 to support three all-terrain vehicle (ATV)-related projects.

“DCNR supports projects that improve upon and expand outdoor recreation opportunities 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.”

The investments from the ATV Management Restricted Account will support construction and acquisition of ATV and facilities.

The grant recipients are--

-- Elk County Riders ATV was awarded $420,600 for development of the Trail of Dreams in Fox Township, Elk County. Work to include construction of an ATV trailhead and comfort facility on Boone Mountain Road; ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements

-- 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.

New Grant Round

The department awards grants two times each year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities. Grants awarded last spring supported 10 projects totaling more than $1.3 million.

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.

For more information on motorized recreation opportunities in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s Snowmobiling and ATV Riding webpages.

Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.

Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, 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:

-- DCNR: Shapiro Administration Creates Action Plan To Grow PA’s Outdoor Recreation Sector In New Report

-- DCNR Blog: Heritage Areas Draw Visitors, Boost Economy

-- Nature By The Numbers: The Economic Impact Of Land Preservation - By Carol Hillestad For Pocono Heritage Land Trust  [PaEN]

-- Registration Now Open!  PA Recreation & Park Society Conference & Expo March 12-15 In Seven Springs  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Feb. 20 Webinar On DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants And Community Forest Projects  [PaEN]

-- Dept. Of Health Now Accepting Applications For WalkWorks Grant Program To Make Communities More Pedestrian-Friendly

-- ​​DCNR Awards $793,800 To Support 3 ATV Projects; New Grant Round Opens Feb. 1  [PaEN]

-- DCNR: 2024 April Total Solar Eclipse In Pennsylvania

-- Save The Dates: Forest Health In-Person Briefing, March 12; Virtual Forest Health Briefing, March 14; Forest Snapshot; More! [PaEN]

-- DCNR: Forest Land Manager Should Begin Treatment Operations Now For Spongy [Gypsy] Moth Caterpillars  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Feb. 20 Webinar On DCNR Community Conservation Partnership Grants And Community Forest Projects  [PaEN]

-- Friends Of Allegheny Wilderness Urge Public Comments Opposing Permanent, Fixed Anchor Bolts, Pitons On Wilderness Climbing Rock Faces  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Erie Times - Brian Whipkey: New Office Of Outdoor Recreation Director Wants To Improve Bond of Government And Industry

-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: State Wants To Bet Big On Outdoor Recreation Economy

-- Inquirer: DCNR Not Considering Camping At This Time In New Big Elk Creek State Park In Chester County

-- Williamsport Sun: Casey Secures $387,500 Grant For Pennsylvania Wilds Center For Entrepreneurship

-- Williamsport Sun: DCNR Announces ATV Regional Trail Connector In Northcentral PA

-- NextPittsburgh: Brilliant Branch Rail-To-Trail To Connect Pittsburgh Neighborhoods, And Beyond

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Washington’s Trail 1753 Deserves Official Historial Recognition

[Posted: January 22, 2024]

1/29/2024