Polaris grants off-road organizations $110K

A dozen nonprofit off-road vehicle organizations across the country have been named recipients of Spring 2020 T.R.A.I.L.S. grants ranging from $3,500 to $10,000. The funds will support the development, improvement and expansion of trails, and help educate riders on safe and responsible riding practices, Polaris announced.

“These local organizations and clubs are made up of passionate volunteers and riders who love our sport – they are truly the life blood of the off-roading community with a genuine desire to help create a safe and enjoyable experience for all those looking to get out and ride,” said Steve Menneto, president of Off Road at Polaris. “The T.R.A.I.L.S Grants Program is our way to help support their efforts and show our appreciation for their passion and dedication.”

The Spring 2020 T.R.A.I.L.S Grants recipients are:

• Exeter Explorers ATV Club (Exeter, Maine)

• Garland Trail Hawks ATV Club (Garland, Maine)

• Roxbury ATV Riders Club (Roxbury, Maine)

• Upper Peninsula Recreational Off-Road ATV Riders (Kingsford, Michigan)

• Trail Prospectors Alliance (Ely, Minnesota)

• Range Trail Committee (Virginia, Minnesota)

• Ephratah ATV Trail Monitors (Johnstown, New York)

• Pennsylvania ATV Trail Development Corporation (Wampum, Pennsylvania)

• Vermont ATV Sportsmans Association Inc (Barre, Vermont)

• Southwest Recreation Regional Authority (SRRA) DBA Spearhead Trails (Coeburn, Virginia)

• Baraboo Bluffs ATV/UTV Club Inc. (Baraboo, Wisconsin)

• Nokomis ATV Club (Heafford Junction, Wisconsin)

“Now more than ever, our riding community is looking to the outdoors for a fun escape and off-road riding is an experience that can be enjoyed while still allowing people their space in these uncertain times,” said Nick Wognum, president of the Prospectors Trail Alliance. “In partnership with two other clubs, the Prospectors Alliance helps manage more than 250 miles of Minnesota’s trail system. We are already seeing more and more riders out on the trails as the weather gets nicer and thanks to Polaris this grant will enable us to help keep the trails properly maintained, well-marked and clear of obstacles.”

Since its inception in 2006, Polaris’ T.R.A.I.L.S Grants program has provided funding to national, state and local organizations in the United States to help support the future of ATV, snowmobiling and off-road riding. The T.R.A.I.L.S Grant program covers two main objectives: promoting safe and responsible riding and supporting environmental preservations and trail access. Organizations may use funds from the grant to increase and maintain land access through trail development, maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives and other projects.

To date, the program has supported 305 ATV, off-road and snowmobiling organizations with more than $2.6 million in grants.