The first of its kind in the ATV industry, the ‘T.R.A.I.L.S.’ grant program was launched in January for ATV clubs, associations and grassroots groups. ATV riders and the trails they use are the lifeblood of the sport and Polaris aimed to create a program to help. The T.R.A.I.L.S. program makes funds available to national, state and local organizations in the United States to ensure the future of ATV riding.

T.R.A.I.L.S. stands for:

§ T = Trail Development
§ R = Responsible Riding
§ A = Access
§ I = Initiatives
§ L = Lobbying
§ S = Safety

The grant program encompasses two main objectives – promoting safe and responsible riding, and preserving access. Funds can be used by organizations for trail development and maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives, lobbying and other projects to increase and maintain land access.

“Trail access is our number one challenge in the industry,” said Bennett Morgan, president and chief operating officer of Polaris. “As a manufacturer, we’re taking the lead and responsibility by doing something about it.”

The grants ranged from $2,000 to the maximum $10,000 and will be applied toward projects including safety and education, trail mapping and marking, OHV park and forest service enhancement and trail development, youth safety events and lobbying efforts.

The first T.R.A.I.L.S. grant recipients are as follows:

Local Organizations

. North Alabama Trail Riders Association
. Cheaha Trail Riders (Alabama)
. Moto-Trax (Arizona)
. Thunder Mountain Wheelers ATV Club (Colorado)
. New England Trail Rider Association (Connecticut)
. Harlan County Ridge Runners ATV Club Inc. (Kentucky)
. Western Massachusetts ATV Association
. Topsham Trail Riders ATV/Snowmobile Club (Maine)
. Drummond Island Off-Road Club (Michigan)
. Manistee County ATV Association (Michigan)
. Ranger Snowmobile/ATV Club (Minnesota)
. City of Shakopee (Minnesota)
. Blind Lake ATV (Minnesota)
. Flat Rock Riders Club (Nebraska)
. Oswego County ATV Club Inc. (New York)
. Upstate ATV Association Inc. (New York)
. Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (Pennsylvania)
. Indian Creek Valley ATV Club Inc. (Pennsylvania)
. Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Foundation (Pennsylvania)
. Cle Elum Ranger District, Wenatchee Ntl. Forest (Washington)
. Tri-County Trailblazers ATV Club (Wisconsin)
. Dusty Trails ATV Club of Oconto County, Inc. (Wisconsin)

State Organizations

. AZ Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition
. Friends of Florida State Forests, Inc.
. ATV Association of Minnesota (ATVAM)
. Nebraska Off Highway Vehicle Association
. North Carolina Motorcycle Dealers Association
. Ohio Multi-Use Trails Association
. Utah/Arizona ATV Club
. Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association Inc.
. Wisconsin ATV Association (WATVA/NOHVIS)

National Organizations

. Blue Ribbon Coalition
. Tread Lightly!
. NOHVCC (National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council)

We’re really pleased with the response from ATV clubs and organizations in this first round,” said Morgan. “We received an application from an ATV club in virtually every state. That’s phenomenal because together we grow the sport we love.”