Polaris grant program tops $700,000

Polaris Industries Inc. of Medina, Minn. has completed the second year of its TRAILS grant program, which has seen $700,057 in funds go to local, state and national ATV clubs.

In the first round of 2008, Polaris granted $108,400 to 11 organizations in 11 states. To date, Polaris has assisted 78 ATV organizations in 42 states across the United States.

Launched in January 2006, the TRAILS grant program is intended for ATV clubs, associations and grassroots groups. Polaris aims to help ATV riders and the trails they use.

The TRAILS program makes funds available to not-for-profit organizations in the United States to ensure the future of legal ATV riding. Promoting safe and responsible riding and preserving access are the two main objectives of the program. 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.

“The consistently growing interest in this program is evidence enough of the dire need to secure legal riding places in the United States,” says Mike Dougherty, vice president of the ATV division at Polaris.  “We are committed to the ongoing success of our program and hope riders at every level will have a more positive riding experience be it locally, statewide or nationally because of our efforts.”

Grants ranged from $8,500 to the maximum $10,000 and will be applied toward: trail development, expansion, improvements, reconstruction and connections; an off-road adventure park; ATV safety training school and DVD; national forest trail mapping; and lobbying efforts to re-open state forests for off-road vehicle use.

Fifth round TRAILS grant recipients:

Local OrganizationsNorth Alabama Trail Riders Association (Alabama)Harlan County Ridge Runners ATV Club Inc. (Kentucky)Gila Rough Riders (New Mexico)Gold Country ATV Association (Nevada)Cedar Mountain Sledders & OHV Club (Utah)Florence County ATV Club Inc. (Wisconsin)

State OrganizationsATV MaineNew Jersey Off-Highway Vehicle AssociationNew York Specialty Off Road Vehicle AssociationSouth Dakota Off Highway Vehicle Coalition

National Organizations USDA Forest Service, Cibola Ntl. Forest, Black Kettle District (Oklahoma)

For more information on the TRAILS grant program and an application form, visit the Polaris Web site at www.polarisindustries.com/.

Related Reading:Polaris contributes with TRAILS grant program