$2.1M in new investments for ATV and snowmobile projects announced.
HARRISBURG — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced new grant funding totaling $2,124,200 for all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile facilities and trails in Pennsylvania.
“Each year, thousands of avid ATV and snowmobile riding enthusiasts recreate in Pennsylvania, and DCNR invests in projects that improve upon and expand these types of motorized recreation opportunities across the Commonwealth,” Secretary Dunn said. “This is also a friendly reminder that the fall grant round is open and that we encourage municipalities and organizations to apply before the September 30 deadline.”
The investments from the ATV Management Restricted Account and Snowmobile Management Restricted Account will support planning, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities. The six grant recipients are:
Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association was awarded $85,600 from the Management Restricted Account –ATV, to assist with preparation of a feasibility study to examine infrastructure, maintenance, and organizational needs and to plan for the development of an ATV storage facility in Snow Shoe Township, Centre County. Work will include an electronic written report
Piney Rail Riders was awarded $937,900 from the Management Restricted Account – ATV, to assist with the acquisition of approximately 550 acres in Piney Township, Clarion County and Brookville Borough, Jefferson County, to provide approximately 24 miles of ATV trail for the development of the Piney Branch ATV Rail Corridor
Presque Isle Snowmobile Club, Inc. was awarded $20,000 from the Management Restricted Account – Snowmobile, to assist with the purchase of equipment to construct and maintain approximately 26 miles of snowmobile trails in Concord, Greene, Union, Wayne and Waterford townships and Corry City, Erie County
Lannding, LLC was awarded, $269,000 from the Management Restricted Account –ATV, towards the purchase of equipment to construct and maintain approximately 90 miles of ATV trails at the Lannding ATV Park in Pine Township, Indiana County
Mines and Meadows LLC, was awarded $741,500 from the Management Restricted Account – ATV, for the development of the 870 acre Mines and Meadows ATV Park in New Beaver and Wampum boroughs, Lawrence County. Work to include construction of four new comfort stations and parking spaces, rehabilitation of two campsites, ADA access, landscaping, project sign and other related site improvements
Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association was awarded $70,000 from the Management Restricted Account – Snowmobile to coordinate and fund the 2025 Snowmobile mini-grant program and the Mapgears trail mapping software program. Work will include an electronic written report
DCNR can award grants two times each year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible ATV and snowmobile trails and facilities.
The fall ATV and Snowmobile grant round opened on August 1 and closes on September 30. Applications will only be accepted electronically through DCNR’s online grant application system.
Grants are open to municipalities, non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Proposed snowmobile and ATV related projects eligible for DCNR 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.
No match is required for this funding; however, applications providing matching funding will be given additional consideration.
With a few limited exceptions, all snowmobiles and ATVs in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by DCNR. Statewide, Pennsylvania has nearly 32,000 active snowmobiles registered, and more than 288,000 ATVs. Grants are administered by DCNR with funding provided from registrations.
More information about ATV and Snowmobile grants can be found on the DCNR website.
Published in The Progress Newspaper on Aug 21, 2024
