DCNR Announces New Investments in ATV and Snowmobile Projects – Technologist

Press release shared by PA Media on August 21, 2024.  

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn 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 the department 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 All-Terrain Vehicle Management Restricted Account and Snowmobile Management Restricted Account will support planning, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of all-terrain vehicle 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 — All-Terrain Vehicles, to assist with preparation of a feasibility study to examine infrastructure, maintenance, and organizational needs and to plan for the development of an all-terrain vehicle 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 — All-Terrain Vehicles, 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 all-terrain vehicle trail for the development of the Piney Branch All-Terrain Vehicle 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 — All-Terrain Vehicles, towards the purchase of equipment to construct and maintain approximately 90 miles of all-terrain vehicle trails at the Lannding All-Terrain Vehicle Park in Pine Township, Indiana County
• Mines and Meadows LLC, was awarded $741,500 from the Management Restricted Account — All-Terrain Vehicles, for the development of the 870 acre Mines and Meadows All-Terrain Vehicle 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

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources can award grants two times each year to municipalities and organizations for development of publicly accessible all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile trails and facilities.

The fall All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile grant round opened on August 1 and closes on September 30.

Applications will only be accepted electronically through the department’s online grant application system​.

Grants are open to municipalities, non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Proposed snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle related projects eligible for department grants include planning, land acquisition, development, rehabilitation, maintenance, purchase of equipment for maintenance and construction, and development of educational programs related to snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle 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 all-terrain vehicles in Pennsylvania must have a registration issued by the department.

Statewide, Pennsylvania has nearly 32,000 active snowmobiles registered, and more than 288,000 all-terrain vehicles.

Grants are administered by The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with funding provided from registrations.

More information about All-Terrain Vehicle and Snowmobile grants can be found on the department’s website. Check out the department’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands.

Media Contact: Wesley Robinson ([email protected])