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I hate to wait to notify folks when something is gong on. E-mail is our primary communication. I hate to bombard the membership with e-mails. Sometimes I have to. I want to stress that if you would like to get information, help our sport and get more places to ride you have to get your information to us. Every few newsletters I try to send to everyone. Join and you will get all the newsletters. The Ohio Department of Natural resources “trails boss” Dameyon Shipley and I met this month to go over possible land purchase sites. I have given him a number of places over the last 6 months provided by our members. We are optimistic that we will be able to get something started on the ground this year. The plan for any property we would purchase would include a full size 4x4 trail system as the trunk of the property to provide full size and UTV as well as ATV and OHM recreation. The trunk would provide accessibility for emergency response to any area of the property. Second level would be the 50” trail system. The last level would be single track. Play and training areas would be provided at the access points to develop skills for 4x4, UTV, APV and OHM. We are looking at a properties south of I 70. We are also looking at properties in the north east. One property that had “fallen thru” is now back on the table. We are also looking at leasing some property. Any property we go for will be large enough to be a destination trail system, not just a couple hours ride. If you are aware of a property for sale with either or a desirable size, price or location let us know.
We are also working to provide a way for licensed vehicles to purchase a “trail sticker” to support the trails when they are available. 18 months ago 18 months ago folks were very unhappy. We had no reciprocity with our registration. No other states recognized our registration. Our registration fees where so low they supported the BMV and not trails. It was illegal for kids under 12 to ride the public trails systems with their parents or guardians. Legislation was in the wings to ban folks under 16 from being allowed to ride any public proerty. Due to hard work from OMTA’s legislative guy Matt Mesarchik as well as OSSA help we have a new outlook. We now have reciprocity. We are growing a fund capable of providing destination trail systems. There is no longer a 12 year old age limit and you will not be required to have a driver’s license to ride trails. Of course if you do not respond to the continuing lead ban threat it might not be an issue Take Action! Our website www.ohiotrails.org has a bulletin board. I admit to not using it as I send my e-mails. I do not want to take a chance our membership would miss impotent information because they did not go to the board. Anyone can read the bulletin board but to post you have to be a member. I admit we need to use it more. If you want to be a member you can sign up online. The work to protect our riding never ends. Our next membership meeting will be in April, exact date to be announced. Bill Kaeppner www.ohiotrails.org |
