On January 16, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced nearly $1.4 million in new grant funding to support all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile projects across the Commonwealth.

This funding will help expand access to outdoor recreation and bolster Pennsylvania’s $19 billion outdoor recreation sector.

“DCNR is committed to supporting responsible outdoor recreation for all Pennsylvanians, and we are excited to announce these new projects to enhance ATV and snowmobile opportunities across the Commonwealth,” Secretary Dunn said. “Thank you to the organizations managing these efforts, and we look forward to reviewing the next round of grant applications.”

The following municipalities and organizations received funding for the development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities:

-- Bedford County Commissioners: $115,000 for a countywide ATV Trail Plan.

-- Rock Run Recreation: $269,200 to purchase equipment and materials to maintain and construct approximately 140 miles of ATV trails at Rock Run Recreation Area in Chest Township.

-- Renovo Borough: $975,800 for the development of Memorial Park in Renovo, including an ATV trailhead, campsites, parking area, stormwater management measures, rehabilitation of a bathhouse, ADA accessibility improvements, landscaping, and other site enhancements.

-- Presque Isle Snowmobile Club: $30,730 for equipment to construct and maintain approximately 26 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie County.

-- Wales Sno-Drifters: $11,400 for equipment to maintain and construct approximately 50 miles of snowmobile trails in Erie County.

The economic impact of these investments is evident. For example, DCNR’s Northcentral Regional ATV Trail Connector generated $23.5 million in revenue over two years, showcasing the potential of off-highway vehicle recreation.

Funding for these grants is drawn from the ATV and Snowmobile Restricted Accounts, which are supported by rider registration fees.

Additionally, this round of grants utilized funding from the Pennsylvania Recreational Trails Program, an assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA provides funding to states to develop and maintain recreational trails for motorized and non-motorized uses.

With nearly 32,000 snowmobiles and over 290,000 ATVs registered in Pennsylvania, these investments ensure continued growth in safe and accessible motorized recreation opportunities in ways that best respect state land.

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

Click Here for the DCNR announcement.

Upcoming Grant Opportunities

DCNR’s next round of Community Conservation Partnership Program grants opens January 21 and closes on April 2.

Click Here for all the details.

A Spring ATV and Snowmobile Grant application window will open from February 3 through March 31.

Applications must be submitted electronically through DCNR’s online grant application system.

Proposed projects eligible for funding include planning and design; land acquisition; trail development, rehabilitation, and maintenance; purchase of equipment for trail maintenance and construction; and development of educational programs related to snowmobile and ATV trails.

Eligible applicants include municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations. While no match is required for these grants, applications offering matching funds will receive additional consideration.

DCNR offers two grant rounds annually for ATV and snowmobile projects. Grants awarded last spring supported six projects totaling more than $2.1 million.

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.

Resource Link:

-- PA Environmental Defense Foundation Files Court Action Challenging Use Of ATVs For Recreation In Northcentral PA State Forests Resulting In 2,000+ Miles Of Illegal ATV Trails [PaEN]

Related Articles:

-- Shapiro Administration Accomplishments: DCNR Makes Significant Strides In Strengthening Conservation And Climate Resilience Across Pennsylvania  [PaEN]

-- DCNR Awards Nearly $1.4 Million To Support 5 Local ATV And Snowmobile Projects; Watch For Upcoming DCNR Grant Opportunities  [PaEN]

-- DCNR State Parks Environmental Education Newsletter Highlights Winter Teaching Ideas; Outdoor Activities; Winter Salt Week; Amphibian Week  [PaEN]

-- French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Partners With Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Of The United Methodist Church To Preserve 130 Acre Camp In Chester County  [PaEN]

-- Jan. 17 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- TribLive: Stretch Of Snowy, Cold Weather Pulls Cross Country Ski Lovers Onto Laurel Highlands Trails

-- WHYY/BillyPenn: Feds Grant Nearly $50 Million For Parkway, Schuylkill Trail, Rail Park Projects

-- Meadville Tribune: PA Environmental Council Awards Water Trail Mini-Grant To Oil Region Alliance

-- Forests For The Chesapeake Bay Newsletter Highlights Volunteer Accomplishments In 2024; American Beech Tree; Upcoming Webinars

-- PA Wilds Center: Highland Chocolates Launches New Trail Mix, Bigfoot Chocolates To Benefit PA Wilds Center For Entrepreneurship

-- LancasterOnline - Erin Negley: Doug Tallamy Coming To Lancaster March 15 With Tips to Help Nature At Home

[Posted: January 16, 2025]

1/20/2025