Meeting to discuss ATV trail plan set

Public can attend at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Freedom Twp. Fire Hall

Plans to create an all-terrain vehicle and multi-use trail system crossing six counties will be discussed during an informational meeting Tuesday in East Freedom. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at 6 p.m. in the Freedom Township Fire Hall.

The Allegheny Ridge Recreation Association is spearheading the effort to create the trails using existing trailways, such as old rail beds, mining sites and logging roads, said association President Doug Wagner.

During the meeting, representatives from ARRA will talk about the already completed feasibility study that was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and map out where the trails will be located.

According to association plans, the trail system will start in Somerset County and go through Bedford, Blair, Cambria and Centre counties before ending in Clearfield.

Project coordinator Dave Hayes said the ultimate goal would be to make the trail run from West Virginia to New York.

While the trail system is geared toward recreational uses, organizers said a benefit to the communities would be the clearing of the trails and access roads used in forest fire control and emergency search and rescue.

Justin Wiley, a sales representative from Roundhouse Powersport in Duncansville, hailed the plan as a great way for family and friends to enjoy the outdoors.

Wiley said COVID-19 led to more people being outdoors.

"ATVs are very popular here in west central PA and across the country for both recreation and work purposes," he added.

DCNR reported that more than 36,000 registered ATVs can be found in the six counties included in the planned trail system.

The idea for the trail system started when the Portage Water Authority closed off some of its property to ATV riders.

"A group of us got together to figure out how we can create more riding opportunities," Hayes said.

After going back and forth about whether to make a park or a trail system, the group decided on a trail system.

"In many cases, efficient design and planning will benefit the environment by redirecting riders away from sensitive natural areas," Wagner said. "We want those who utilize the trail to have the best outdoor experience but protect the environment when doing so."

The group's inspiration for the trail system is the Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia.

"With me being from Northern Wisconsin, I loved the idea of what was back there where you could ride a trail for 30 miles to get breakfast or ice cream," Hayes said. That trail system connects hotels, resorts, restaurants, towns and more, he added.

The AARA proposed-trail would be 175 miles from the starting point at the Flight 93 National Memorial to the end point in Houtzdale.

It would include stops at the Johnstown Flood Museum in South Fork, The Lost Children of the Alleghenies Monument in Blue Knob, the Lemon House and Portage Railroad Museum and the Horseshoe Curve.

When organizers first came up with the idea of a six-county system, it was to give ATV owners a place to ride, but the more work they put into the idea, the more they realized the economic impact it could have on the area.

"We started to focus on the economy of these towns that are struggling," Hayes said. "This type of recreation is a major money maker for people, and we know these towns could use the money."

Hayes found a study that said the Hatfield-McCoy Trails brings in $45 million a year and on average $7 million in trail pass sales.

"If we could get even just a portion of the economic impact that the Hatfield-McCoy system makes in a year, we would be happy," Hayes said.

There are plans for expanding the local system, but for now the group is focused on creating the main trails and will look into extending the system after it is up and running.

"I actually have talks coming up with representatives from West Virginia and Maryland on making a tri-state connection," Hayes said. "It will pretty much be if you want to be included, give us the route and we will make it happen."

The project won't use taxpayer money, instead rely on funds generated through state ATV registrations.

The trail system won't be limited to just ATVs, organizers said, but will be open to horseback riding, hiking, biking and dirt biking.

While no timeframe for starting on the trail project has been announced, organizers hope to share more information at the public meeting and gather comments from those who would take advantage of the trails.

Mirror writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.