Southern Gulf Off Road Park

Transcription

Busine ss Plan
C i ty o f C oa l m o n t, Te n n e s s e e
Requested by:
The Honorable, Aron May, Mayor
&
The Coalmont Board of Alderman
February 2012
City of Coalmont, P.O. Box 308, Coalmont, Tennessee 37313
[email protected]
"The beauty and charm of the wilderness are his for
the asking, for the edges of the wilderness lie close
beside the beaten roads of the present travel."
- President Theodore Roosevelt
Farmer
Morgan
Urban Planning • Municipal Development • Construction Management
C reator s of Memor able Places
Pikeville, Tennessee • Nashville, Tennessee • Tuscumbia, Alabama
www.f ar mer morgan.com
Souther n Gulf Off Roa d Pa r k
Acknowledgments
T he Southern Gulf Off Road Park OHV Business Plan has been prepared for the City of Coalmont,Tennessee
by Farmer | Morgan, L. L. C.. The funding was provided by the Town of Coalmont. The purpose of this plan is to
determine the physical and financial capabilities of a proposed OHV Park to be operated by the Town of Coalmont
in Grundy County, Tennessee. Funding for project development and construction is to be provided by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, Recreational and Educational Services Division, Recreational
Trails Program. The Southern Gulf Off Road Park Business Plan analyzes the opportunities and constraints of the
proposed project in conjunction with the user survey conducted in August of 2011. The project components that
are proposed in this document are results of the user survey and analysis by Farmer | Morgan.
C i t y o f C o a l m o n t, T e n n e s s e e
T h e H o n o r a b l e , A r o n M a y, M a y o r
R i c k R u s t , V i c e M ayo r
R u d y B row n , C o u n c i l
Dennis Jones, Council
Dale Layne, Council
Va l e r i e S a n d e r s , C i t y R e c o r d e r
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation
R o b e r t J. M a r t i n e a u , J r. , C o m m i s s i o n e r
G e r a l d Pa r i s h , D i re c t o r, R e c re a t i o n E d u c a t i o n a l S e r v i c e s D iv i s i o n
Je n i B r i n k m a n , A s s i s t a n t D i re c t o r, R e c re a t i o n a l E d u c a t i o n a l S e r v i c e s
Division
R o b e r t ( B o b ) R i c h a r d s , G r e e n w a y s & Tr a i l s C o o r d i n a t o r
Southeast Tennessee Development District
B e t h Jo n e s , E xe c u t ive D i re c t o r
Pa u l A rc h a m b a u l t , A s s i s t a n t D i re c t o r o f C o m mu n i t y D eve l o p m e n t
Farmer|Mor gan, LLC
Benjamin Farmer
Principal- Managing partner
[email protected]
Randall C. Morgan
Pr incipal- Dirctor of Design
[email protected]
Chastidy Piper
Planner
[email protected]
C oa lmo n t , T e n n e s s e e
Table of Contents
Executive Summar y............................
A7
OHV Park Summar y..........................
B11
OHV Park Descr iption & Services.......
C25
Market Analysis.................................
D57
Market Strategy.................................
E83
Financial Plan...................................
F93
Appendix..........................................
G99
Executive Summary
A
Executive Summary
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park Business Plan evaluates the potential opportunities and constraints of
developing an OHV Park to be located in Grundy County, Tennessee. This plan contains six sections that
review the Off Road Park in comparison to existing parks and user preferences. The overall goal of the
park is to develop an economic driver for the City of Coalmont, Altamont, Gruetli-Laager, Tracy City,
City of Monteagle, Marion County and Grundy County that capitalizes on the local and regional assets.
This document is not a substitute for a park master plan and accompanying opinion of probable cost for
the OHV Park. OHV Park design, cost for construction and projected revenues are site dependent and can
only be estimated through site master planning and design development. The six sections of this plan are
outlined and discussed below.
Section B. OHV Park Summary describes the vision of the City of Coalmont in relation to the proposed
OHV Park. In addition, the proposed park size and scope is discussed. It is recommended that further
analysis of the proposed site occur prior to final selection of the tract or tracts to be acquired.
Section C. OHV Park Description describes the physical location of the park. The phases of the park are
outlined as well as the desired components identified in the grant application. An inventory of the desired
types of trails and their tread widths are identified.
Section D. Market Analysis documents identified users based on the August 2011 survey as well as potential
sectors and travel distances. The survey respondents were from 33 different states with 88% from the
Southeast. The potential market and consumers for the Southern Gulf Off Road Park. Total respondents
to the August 2011 survey were 1,231. Over 61% of the survey participants make over $50,000.00 a year.
Of the respondents 70% stated they would spend over $200.00 per trip. Assuming an average annual
permit sales of 10,000 (representative of former Tellico Park) multiplied by $200.00 per trip are projected
to be $2,000,000.00. Further analysis determines that 10,000 permits multiplied by $16.00 are revenues
of $160,000.00 in user permits per OHV. Additional revenue may be generated by individual spectator
fees and special events held at the trail head. These estimates do not include camp ground and cabin fees
as well as revenues generated from memorabilia.
Section E. Marketing Strategy defines the need for the park as well as the potential user fees. The
projected revenues generated by a family of four are $60.00 to $80.00 per day. In addition, a method of
allowing citizens of Coalmont to use the OHV Park at a reduced rate is evaluated. The total projected
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City of Co a l mo n t, T en n essee
Executive Summary
expenditures associated with the park is estimated to be between $3 million to $4.8 million per year with
the appropriately developed facilities for the park. The State of Tennessee, Department of Environment
& Conservation, and Recreational Trails Program is providing $800,000.00 in grant funds to initiate
development of the Campground and Trailhead. Additional funds will need to be sought for acquisition
and further development of the Trail Head and Park Trails.
Section F. The Financial Plan, clarifies the project costs and revenues generated and potential funding
sources for park development. The financial section bases the construction cost estimate and the project
pro-forma on a series of assumptions. These assumptions are identified as well as the methodology for
determining potential users and the revenues generated from them. The park is estimated to potentially
generate revenues of $534,090.00 with annual operating expenditures estimated to be $411,284.00. The
park is projected to generate OHV permit sales of approximately 17,000 permits per year. This estimate is
in comparison to the Tellico OHV Park that saw annual permits between 10,000 and 12,000 users.
Section G. Appendix contains draft documents and necessary reference materials to initiate the park
management board. In addition, there are economic analysis documents as well as occupancy data for
the Tennessee State Parks, Fall Creek Falls Resort and Campground. This data was used to support the
assumptions for potential users and revenues generated from the campground and trailhead. Finally, there
are Best Management Practices taken from the State of New Hampshire Department of Resources and
Economic Development.
Farmer | Morgan is pleased to provide the City of Coalmont with this business plan. The opportunity for
a new economic driver and revitalized community in Coalmont awaits those who wish to seek it. We
hope this plan provides a firm foundation for moving forward in receiving grants and other sources of
development funds.
City o f C o a l mo n t, T en n essee
9
OHV Park Summary
B
OHV Park Summary
Vision
The City of Coalmont’s vision is to develop and maintain an off highway vehicle (OHV) park that meets
the needs of the OHV community for a reasonable cost and consists of many types of Off-Roading trails,
of varying difficulty, for multiple types of off highway vehicles situated in the natural and beautiful mountainous terrain of the Cumberland Plateau. The family-oriented park will serve as a tourist attraction to the
City of Coalmont and surrounding area and stimulate the community’s local economy.
Mission
In pursuit of the vision, the City of Coalmont has defined the following five missions and identified park
goals to support these mission statements.
Recreational Opportunity: Develop an OHV recreation facility that will attract and serve the
needs of the OHV community.
• Allow multiple types of motorized Off-Road vehicles including ATVs, 4x4 trucks, jeeps,
dune buggies, and other types of vehicles.
• Provide different trails for different off road vehicles.
• Provide trails with increasing complexity and difficulty to present a challenge to riders.
• Provide observation areas for spectators along the trails at difficult crossings.
• Identify all trail heads and utilize trail progression markers along trails to indicate trail
distances to trail’s end. Markers include signs that describe the level of difficulty of the
trail by class 1 – 5.
• Provide an information kiosk displaying park grounds and trails.
• Provide online and paper trail maps to trail users.
Customer Convenience: Provide additional park amenities to serve the basic daily needs of
OHV riders.
• Provide restrooms with showers and lockers.
• Provide a location to spray off OHVs after use through digital code or coin operation.
• Operate a Camp General Store that sells basic necessities associated with park use.
• Have adequate parking facilities to accommodate many trucks hauling large trailers of
OHVs.
Tourist Destination: Create a tourist destination and provide long-term stay opportunities for
park visitors.
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OHV Park Summary
• Provide primitive camping and rv facilities within the park.
• Establish park logo/branding for advertisement as a tourist attraction.
• Design trails to conserve and utilize the natural beauty of the landscape to create scenic
trails that showcase the mountains and valleys of the Cumberland Plateau.
• Design trails with challenging and unique features that attract experienced, competitive
riders.
• Host annual events and competitions to attract users from across the nation.
Individual and Family Safety: Provide a family-oriented atmosphere throughout the park and
promote trail safety through oversight and management.
• Establish park and trail rules to decrease the likelihood of injuries and promote safety of
park users.
• Require that all park users are informed of park safety rules and given a copy of these
rules in addition to signing a park liability waiver.
• Employ staff to patrol and enforce trail and park rules.
• Maintain park employee at the park 24 hours a day after the opening of the camping
facilities.
• Distribute to park users and post emergency contact information for the local hospital,
police, EMA, and fire department.
• Keep first-aid supplies in the camp general store.
Park Sustainability: Ensure park sustainability through operational management, marketing,
and compliance.
• Ensure park values and visions are maintained through adequate management and operation.
• Develop and implement techniques to operate the park at maximum financial efficiency.
• Develop, adopt, and implement park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan and
Park Board Bylaws.
• Keep park and trails well groomed and maintained for daily use.
• Establish marketing strategies to promote the park and attract users for park revenue to
support operation.
• Maintain open dialogue and solicit input from park users via comment/suggestion cards
to ensure needs are being met and identify areas of improvement.
• Develop a maintenance plan and schedule to inspect and repair all trails regularly to
ensure environmental compliance with all state and federal laws and prevent substantial
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OHV Park Summary
adverse impact to sensitive areas such as streams. Utilize and maintain erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices (BMPs) during trail construction and maintenance for good environmental stewardship.
Park Overview and Development
The City of Coalmont, Tennessee is proposing the development of an OHV park that will be called Southern Gulf Off Road Park. The City of Coalmont is located in the southeastern corner of the state. See Map
3.1. The park will be located in the southeast portion of what is to become Coalmont City limits in Grundy
and Marion County. The parcels projected for park development are located 3.5 miles from the city’s
commercial center and is a privately owned tracts of wooded land totaling 1,147 acres to 7,400 acres. The
land currently has road access via Flat Branch Road. See Map 3.2. The park will consist of multiple offhighway trails that will accommodate motorcycles, ATVs, four wheel drive trucks and jeeps, and other
types of OHVs. The park will be developed to accommodate recreational trail riding, non-competitive
organized trail riding, and competitive trail riding.
The project has been divided into three phases of development: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. Phase
I includes the acquisition and development of the trails and the trail head. Phase I is also projected to
include design and construction of trails with property owned by the Town of Coalmont. In addition, construction of the trail head is proposed to occur with TDEC, Recreational Trails Program (RTP) funds on a
separate portion of land. The trail head is proposed to consist of a day use area with bathrooms, office and
storage facility, construction of a 46,000 sq. f. parking lot, one kiosk and educational area, 600 sq. f. of
concrete for ADA parking, and 100 L.F. of sidewalk, 6’ wide, connecting the parking and bathrooms. This
detailed information is contained in the RTP grant application for the Town of Coalmont 2011. Phase I
should also include the establishment of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park Board and associated bylaws.
Phase II is projected to include the acquisition of additional tracts or expansion of the property for trails,
trail design and construction, environmental mitigation of trails, further development of trail head, establishment and adoption of the Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan by the Park Board, and
the design and construction of the park entrance, welcome/permit station, and signage. The members of
the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association have volunteered time, labor, equipment, and materials necessary to create the trails. The trails will be designed and engineered in order to mitigate and minimize
adverse impact on the natural environment. The trail design will be sensitive to wildlife areas and stream
crossings. A main trunk line trail already exists in the prior ridge tract and needs maintenance that follows
Best Management Practices for OHV trails.
Phase III is projected to include the acquisition of tracts to complete the trail system with more acres,
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100
200
Scale: 1”= 100’
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Map 3.1 Location of Grundy County, TN
0
300
Grundy County
Gibson, TN
Robertson, TN
Rutherford, TN
Cannon, TN
De Kalb, TN
White, TN
Putnam, TN
Smith, TN Jackson, TN
Knox, TN
Morgan, TN Anderson, TN
Cumberland, TN
Hancock, TN
Claiborne, TN
Hawkins, TN
General Notes:
General Notes:
Details
Details
Details
Index of Details:
Grading Plan:
Layout Plan:
Existing Conditions Plan:
Master Plan :
De s c r ip t ion
I nd e x of S he e ts
Lauderdale, TN
L.1
L.2
L.3
L.4
L.5
L.6
L.7
L.8
L.9
L.10
Sheet No.
Sullivan, TN
Johnson, TN
Cocke, TN
Jefferson, TN
Washington, TNCarter, TN
Union, TNGrainger, TNHamblen, TN
Hamblen, TNGreene, TN
Unicoi, TN
Scott, TNCampbell, TN
Roane, TN
Sevier, TN
White, TN Rhea, TN
Loudon, TN
Blount, TN
Loudon, TN
Warren, TNVan Buren, TN
Henderson, TN
Loudon,
TN
Maury, TN
Bledsoe, TNRhea, TN
Haywood, TN Madison, TN
Decatur, TNPerry, TN
Meigs, TN
Tipton, TN
Lewis, TN
Bedford, TN Coffee, TN
Monroe, TN
Marshall, TN
Chester, TN
McMinn, TN
Grundy, TNSequatchie, TN
Chester, TN
Moore, TN
Moore, TN
Wayne,
TN
Shelby, TN Fayette, TN Hardeman, TN
Lawrence, TN Giles, TN
Hamilton, TNBradley, TN
McNairy, TN Hardin, TN
Franklin, TN Marion, TN
Polk, TN
Lincoln, TN
Hickman, TN
Williamson, TN
Wilson, TN
Clay, TN Pickett, TN
Jackson, TNOverton, TNFentress, TN
Macon, TN
Trousdale, TN
Sumner, TN
Houston, TN
Cheatham, TN
Cheatham, TN
Dickson, TN
Davidson, TN
Benton, TN
Humphreys, TN
Henry, TN
Carroll, TN
Weakley, TN
Gibson, TN
Crockett, TN
Dyer, TN
Lake, TN Obion, TN
Stewart, TN Montgomery, TN
ing P u r p o se s O nly ! ! !
s Park, Recreation & nature Trail”
s Park_Preliminary Design Plans
ails Program & the town of Coalmont
OHV Park Summary
OHV Park Summary
Van Buren, TN
Warren, TN
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Grundy, TN
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Map 3.2 Proposed General Location of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park
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WHITWELL
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US H
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Marion, TN
Franklin, TN
4
US Hwy 6
Hwy
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Sta
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State
MONTEAGLE
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0
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IMONTEAGLE 24
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COALMONT
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State
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ALTAMONT
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St
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State H
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BEERSHEBA SPRINGS
y
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Sequatchie, TN
283
OHV Park Summary
expansion of trail design and construction, expansion of environmental mitigation of trails, installation of
trail signs/distance markers, planning and design of proposed camping area, construction of camping area,
planning and design of camp general store, construction of camp general store, and further development of
park trailhead to include additional amenities such as picnic and pavilion areas and an OHV wash area.
Legal Authority and Structure
The Tennessee Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Act (Title 70, Chapter 9) was passed by legislation in 2004
and establishes an OHV program within the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. See Appendix. The
Act allows the use of public funds for the acquisition and development of OHV parks within the state in
cooperation with governmental agencies. The Southern Gulf Off Road Park property will be purchased
with funds from the Town of Coalmont. The construction and improvements on the Campground and
Trail Head will be obtained from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Recreational Trails Program.
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will be owned, maintained, and operated by the City of Coalmont, Tennessee through the establishment of the Southern Gulf Off-Road Park Board. The responsibilities of the
Park Board include oversight and management of all aspects of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park’s development, operation, maintenance, economic growth, environmental compliance, and financial management
to ensure the Park’s success as an economic stimulant to the community and its sustainability through its
own generated revenue. The Park Board shall also serve as a liaison between the Coalmont City Council
and the citizens of the City.
The Park Board should consist of nine members: the Mayor, a councilman, a City employee (fire or police
chief), 3 OHV club members, 1 Grundy County Chamber member and 2 people from the general public
such as OHV retailers and/or businesses impacted by the OHV park such as gas stations and restaurants.
The Park Board will employ personnel to manage and operate the park. The park will operate under the
auspices of the City and Park personnel will report to the Park Board and the Park Board will report to the
City Council. It is encouraged that the Mayor and council participate on the Park Board to stay informed
and be directly involved in park oversight. An additional option is to separate the Park through an Industrial Development Board (IDB) in order to operate the Campground and Trail Head as well as the Park
Trails. The Park Board will consist of the following officers: president, vice-president, secretary, and
treasurer. The Park Board should hold one regularly scheduled meeting a month. See Appendix for Park
Board Draft Bylaws.
Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan
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OHV Park Summary
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park Board will hire and employ personnel to manage and operate the Southern Gulf Off Road Park. Recruitment of staff will be done by advertisement in local newspapers. Park
operation, maintenance, patrol, and management is projected to require five employees with daily operations requiring 1-2 employees present on weekdays and 2-4 employees present on weekends, depending
on time of year and scheduled events. A park employee will be required at the park 24 hours a day after the
camp ground opens. Projected staff include: a Park Manager to oversee daily operations, maintenance,
staff, and report to Park Board; two Park Rangers for trail patrol, safety, and maintenance; and two retail/
customer service Staffers to sell trail user permits, camping permits, man the welcome center, and sell park
merchandise, groceries, and supplies at the Park General Store. Part-time staff may be required during
peak season. The Park Manager shall perform the responsibilities of Project Coordinator during the park
development and construction prior to park opening. The Project Coordinator reports to the Park Board
Figure 3.1 Order of Park Management and Authority
Coalmont City Council
Southern Gulf Off Road
Park Board
Park Manager
Park Ranger Patrol
Officer
18
Park Ranger Patrol
Officer
Park Staff Salesperson
Park Staff Salesperson
OHV Park Summary
and is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the planning, administration, development, and
construction of the park facilities, trailhead, and trails. Figure 3.1 illustrates the order of park management and authority. A Southern Gulf Off Road Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan shall
be developed by the Park Board and approved by the Coalmont City Council and function in a regulatory
capacity for park operations. See Appendix for an example outline draft of the Management, Operations,
and Personnel Plan .
Volunteers
Some park responsibilities such as trail construction and maintenance will be performed by volunteers
from Southern Four Wheel Drive Association club members. Volunteers from OHV clubs may off-set the
need for employment of some of the projected park staff during park development, early park operations
following park opening, and during park off-season when ridership and revenues are lower. A Memorandum of Agreement shall be established and approved by the Park Board and individuals or clubs to exchange trail construction, patrol, and/or maintenance of trails via labor and materials for park use permits.
The Agreement should assign certain rights and responsibilities to clubs or individuals for a designated
period. The rights and responsibilities should include:
• To work cooperatively with the Park Board in providing and maintaining an environmentallysound, safe, functional, attractive, and user-friendly OHV trail system.
• Right to recreationally use the trail system in exchange for volunteered labor and/or materials
approved and coordinated through the Park Manager and Board in one or more of the following
ways:.
• To volunteer trail system construction following environmentally sound trail design guidelines and erosion and sediment control BMPs, including installation of trail signage, in coordination and cooperation with the Park Manager and Board.
•To volunteer trailhead/park amenities construction and maintenance in coordination and cooperation with Park Manager and Board.
•To volunteer trail system maintenance techniques to utilize and repair erosion control BMPs,
mitigate adverse environmental impact, implement environmental compliance, and ensure
public safety in cooperation and coordination with the Park Manager and Board.
•To volunteer trail system patrol to uphold park rules to ensure trail integrity and public safety
in cooperation and coordination with the Park Manager and Board.
•To volunteer OHV Safety Training to educate Park visitors on responsible and safe OHV trail
riding.
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OHV Park Summary
Facility Requirements
In order to maintain the Southern Gulf Off Road Park as a safe, family-oriented OHV recreational opportunity and economic driver for the Coalmont community, the following facility requirements shall be
implemented to ensure financial sustainability, public safety, and environmental compliance.
Park User Fees
Fee schedules will be assigned to trail use and camping facilities. Trail use permits will include daily permits, weekend permits, and annual permits. Off-highway vehicles will be permitted by a sticker/decal and
include the cost of the OHV impact and one OHV operator. An nominal fee will be required of individuals
entering the park without an OHV. Fee schedules will also be assigned to camping facilities. A detailed
list and explanation of the proposed park fee schedules is located in Section E, Market Strategy.
Insurance
Southern Gulf Off Road Park is required to maintain park liability insurance coverage and event liability
insurance coverage. The Park Board is responsible for selecting an insurance company with the approval
of the Coalmont City Council. In addition, park visitors are required to sign a Liability Waiver releasing
the Southern Gulf Off Road Park of any liability and stating the visitor’s voluntary assumption of risk
upon park entry. See Appendix for example Liability Waivers.
Trail Rules for Public Safety
The trail rules listed below will increase trail safety and compliance with environmental regulations. The
rules should be printed on the park brochure distributed to park visitors when they enter the park and purchase a user permit. There will be separate park rules for the camping facilities drafted at a later date by
the Park Board.
•
All trail users must have a valid Southern Gulf Off Road Park OHV Permit. The OHV user permit is to be affixed to the right side of the OHV at all times. OHV operators and hikers/spectators must also wear wristbands or carry entrance permit receipt at all times.
•
All persons must carry an acceptable form of photo identification at all times (driver’s license or
passport).
20
•
Everyone must wear a DOT, SNELL or other approved helmet and protective eye-gear.
•
OHVs must be equipped with a U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrester and adequate muffler, both in working order.
OHV Park Summary
•
No passengers on any OHV unless the OHV is manufactured for the driver and a passenger.
•
No alcoholic beverages may be consumed or carried on trails.
•
No discharging of firearms within park.
•
Obey all signs, gates, and barriers.
•
Stay on marked trails. Cutting new trails is strictly prohibited.
•
Tires with studs are not allowed.
•
All OHVs must abide by width specifications per trail--only ride trails designated for your OHV.
•
Observe one-way trail directions on designated trails.
•
Only enter and exit the trail systems at the trailhead.
•
Do not enter a “no trail,” “no entry” or gated area.
•
Maintain a 10 mph speed limit in staging/parking/camping areas. Drive at a speed reasonable for
conditions on trails and follow recommended speed limits where identified.
•
No person shall drive an OHV unless that person meets the minimum age recommendation
specified by the OHV manufacturer for the OHV that is being driven.
•
You must have a State of Tennessee riding permit if you are over 13 years of age and operate an
OHV.
•
Stop when signaled by a park ranger or employee.
•
Adult supervision is required on trails for those under age 18.
•
Do not litter.
•
No fires or fireworks on trail system. Fires will be allowed in the Campground and Trail Head as
well as remote camping sites if developed in the Park Trails.
•
No camping on the trail system.
•
Trail system is open from sunrise to sunset. Night riding is prohibited unless special request is
made to and approved by Park manager 48 hours in advance.
•
Any OHV operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise must display at least one
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OHV Park Summary
headlight that enables an operator to clearly see 200 feet ahead and one red taillight visible from
200 feet behind.
•
Be considerate of other riders while riding trails and report any unauthorized or illegal behavior
observed.
First offense violators of any of the park rules may be served 1st warning depending on severity. Additional or severe violations will result in suspension from the Southern Gulf Off Road Park as follows:
• Second Offense: Revocation of permit for one day.
• Third Offense: Suspension from the park for one month.
• Fourth Offense: Banishment from the park
In addition, Southern Gulf Off Road Park may enforce any other penalties allowed by law.
Environmental Compliance
OHV trail parks are a low impact form of tourist industry economic development and allow the natural
state and terrain of large tracts of land to remain undeveloped with the exception of the trail system, the
parking facility, and other support facilities. OHV parks and trails create an opportunity for people to enjoy and develop respect for nature by providing opportunities to interact with it. OHV parks and trails also
serve as wildlife and natural resource educational facilities and teach good environmental stewardship
through implementation of environmental laws and regulations. The following environmental requirements will be implemented by Southern Gulf Off Road Park to preserve the beauty and integrity of the
natural resources of the trail system that make the park an attraction to the OHV community. In addition,
the Park will follow the requirements and specifications identified by Water Pollution Control (WPC) as
identified in correspondence contained in the appendix. Southern Gulf Off Road Park recognizes that
without proper environmental compliance with state and federal regulations, the park will not be permitted to stay open for operation, and therefore the City of Coalmont views environmental compliance of the
park as a top priority.
• During trail design and construction, resource documents such Best Management Practices and design guidelines for trail erosion control will be utilized. See Appendix for an example trail design
resource document. Consultation with state environmental agencies will also be necessary. All
required permits and/or letters of request and concurrence should be current and maintained by the
Park Manager and Board as required by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Water Pollution Control (WPC).
• Trails should be inspected by park ranger patrol officers on a bi-weekly basis for trail integrity and
environmental compliance. Officers should identify any needed maintenance of erosion and sedi-
22
OHV Park Summary
ment BMPs such as damaged silt fences or silt traps that need to be cleaned out. All adverse impacts
must be mitigated in a timely manner. Officers must determine if immediate action is required or if
maintenance needs can occur at regularly scheduled trail maintenance times. Maintenance priorities will be given to trails adjacent to environmentally sensitive areas such as streams.
• Regularly scheduled trail maintenance shall occur on needed areas of trails on a quarterly basis.
Areas that need minor or heavy maintenance will be indentified by park ranger patrol officers on
bi-weekly inspections and repaired at quarterly work sessions by park ranger patrol officers and
club and/or individual volunteers. Types of needed repairs could include non-functioning or damaged dips, silt traps, and culverts. As discussed above, all significant adverse impacts must be
repaired immediately and may require repair before scheduled quarterly work sessions. All repairs
must be documented and filed with the Park Manager and Board.
• Water quality monitoring should be formally documented and financed by Southern Gulf Off Road
Park prior to park opening and then repeated once a year. The Park Board should hire a professional consultant to perform the monitoring on streams located within the park. The reports should
be maintained by the Park Manager and Board. If the Park Board would like to train and certify
an employee to undertake the stream monitoring it may be cost effective.
Operational Hours
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park and Campground and Trail Head will be open year round, weather permitting. The park will be open seven days a week from 7:00am to dusk. Night rides are only permitted
through special request and permission only and must be scheduled through the Park Manager at least 48
hours in advance.
Peak season is anticipated to follow other park trends and be in the summer months (end of May through
mid-August) when children are out of school and families take extended trips and vacations. The slow
season is anticipated to be the winter months (November-February). Weekend ridership is expected to be
considerably higher than weekday ridership based on trends at other OHV parks. Weekdays are recognized as Monday through Thursday. Weekends are recognized as Friday through Sundays.
23
OHV Park
Description
C
OHV Park Description
Physical Setting
The City of Coalmont is located in Grundy County in the southeast portion of Tennessee on the southwestern portion of the Cumberland Plateau. The Cumberland Plateau forms the western section of the
Appalachian Mountains and extends 450 miles from West Virginia to Alabama. The Cumberland Plateau
averages 50 miles in width and 2,000 to 4,145 feet in elevation. Over 80% of the Plateau is covered in
mixed hardwood forest. The Cumberland Plateau is a deeply dissected plateau that is severely eroded with
sharp reliefs with sandstone outcroppings and bluffs. In Tennessee, many rivers and creeks have carved
deep gorges, known locally as gulfs, into the plateau resulting in large number of waterfalls. There are
dozens of interesting geologic landforms in Grundy County and the City of Coalmont. Grundy County
is a known tourist attraction for access to the South Cumberland Plateau nature areas and is the location
of four state parks: Savage Gulf State Natural Area, Grundy Forest State National Area, Grundy Lakes
State Park, and the South Cumberland Visitor Center. Fall Creek Falls and Tim’s Ford State Parks are 30
minutes away from the Town of Coalmont.
The City of Coalmont has a total area of 6 square miles and an elevation of 1,886 ft. The City is developed
along the north-south corridor of State Highway 56. See Map 4.1. Highway 56 connects Coalmont to the
City of Altamont 2.5 miles to the north and Tracy City 2.4 miles to the south. The City of Monteagle is
located 3 miles to the southwest and provides access to U.S. Interstate 24. See Map 4.2 through Map 4.5.
I-24 can also be accessed from Coalmont via the City of Pelham located 2.9 miles to the west. Highway
56 intersects with State Highway 108 north of downtown Coalmont. Highway 108 runs east/west and
connects Coalmont to City of Grueti-Laager 2.4 miles to the northeast. The City of Manchester is located
24 miles northwest along I-24 from Coalmont. Coalmont is within an 1.5 hours or less of two major metropolitan areas in Tennessee: Chattanooga is located 50 miles to the southeast and Nashville is located 100
miles to the northwest.
Proposed Location
The proposed location of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park is located in the southeast portion of the Coalmont City limits in Grundy County along the Marion County line. The land projected for park development is located 3.5 miles from the City’s commercial center and is a privately owned parcels of wooded
land ranging from 1,000 to 7,400 acres. In addition, there are other tracts available for potential acquisition that are under consideration. There are a few trails currently on the proposed parcel due to timbering
on portions of the property. The parcel includes a portion of the Sewanee Gulf, the Johnson Creek corridor,
a portion of the Mine Creek corridor, and a portion of the Sewanee Creek corridor. The parcel currently
has road access via B Mine Road and Flat Branch Road. The shape and location of the tracts are illustrated
26
Van Buren, TN
Warren, TN
State H
wy 8
t
Sta
State Hwy 111
VIOLA
eH
wy
n
Sc
56
w
e
w
M
ain
St
Grundy, TN
56
Hw
8 Scn State
PALMER
Main St
State Hw
y
GRUETLI-LAAGER
y 108
t
Main S
Hwy 108 State Hwy
10
Coffee, TN
y
w
2
St
at
24
I-
wy
Stat
e
4
6 Miles
JASPER
wy 27
Hw
ffith
Gr i
eH
w
y
28
Ra
2
cn
1
1S
y4
0
y
Hw
®
24
I24
I-
7400ac. Property
283
US
4
y6
Cardin Property
wy
State H
Hw
y 28
State Hw
y
150
eH
Stat
Hw
y 156
County_Boundary
Coalmont
WHITWELL
1
wy 4
US
w
State H
Legend
US H
2
Marion, TN
Franklin, TN
4
US Hwy 6
Hwy
SEWANEE
Sta
te
State
MONTEAGLE
15
0
Hw
IMONTEAGLE 24
y2
8S
cn
eH
8
10
TRACY CITY
wy
I- 24
d
41 Scn Stat
eH
1
wy 4
t
Sta
US H
I- 24
cy R
Tra
US Hwy
St
at
wy
eH
eH
56
COALMONT
Sta
t
9
39
wy 3
99
at
St
eH
50
eH
wy
State
H
ALTAMONT
y
t
Sta
H
y 108
St
at
State H
w
BEERSHEBA SPRINGS
y
56
Sequatchie, TN
Map 4.1 Location of Grundy County & City of Coalmont, TN
27
28
le
tur
Oak Hill
Map 4.2 Physiographic Region of the Cumberland Plateau
Cullman
Madison
Blountsville
Mount Juliet
Arab
Huntsville
Meridianville
Boaz
Albertville
Guntersville
New Hope
Winchester
Baxter
McMinnville
Collinsville
Henagar
Stevenson
Monteagle
Cowan
Decherd
Smithville
Carthage
Whitwell
Centre
Cedar Bluff
Fort Payne
Bridgeport
Livingston
Ooltewah
Soddy-Daisy
Rome
Shannon
Lindale
Cave Spring
Trion
LaFayette
Chickamauga
A
th
Benton
Blue Ridge
W
d t
k
Holly Springs
Ball Ground
Jasper
Ellijay
Etowah
Cumming
Lenoir City
Loudon
La Follette
Sugar Hill
Dahlonega
Murphy
Gainesville
Maryville
Knoxville
Knoxville
Alcoa
Clinton
Norris
Jacksboro
Oak Ridge
Lake City
Caryville
Madisonville
Sweetwater
Oliver Springs
Canton
Athens
Kingston
Harriman
Chatsworth
Decatur
Cleveland
Cartersville
Adairsville
Calhoun
Dalton
Collegedale
Dayton
Rockwood
Spring City
Jamestown
Crab Orchard
East Ridge
Fort Oglethorpe
Ringgold
Summerville
Trenton
Crossville
Graysville
Red Bank
Pikeville
Monterey
Chattanooga
Chattanooga
Signal Mountain
Dunlap
Spencer
Sparta
Algood
Cookeville
Gruetli-Laager
South Pittsburg
Jasper
Tracy City
Coalmont, TN
Woodbury
Scottsboro
Tullahoma
Estill Springs
Murfreesboro
Watertown
Gordonsville
Hartsville
Manchester
Lebanon
Walterhill
New Market
Lynchburg
Shelbyville
Smyrna
La Vergne
Hazel Green
Fayetteville
Lewisburg
Ardmore
Franklin
Nolensville
Brentwood
Gallatin
Hendersonville
Nashville
Nashville
Goodlettsville
Ridgetop
C
Andre
Blain
Mayn
Nashville
Coalmont, TN
Chattanooga
Knoxville
Map 4.3 Physiographic Region and Transportation Routes
29
30
Map 4.4 Physiographic Region, Transportation & Water Bodies
le
tur
65
Oak Hill
31
ALT
Cullman
Madison
Gallatin
41
ALT
Blountsville
Arab
Huntsville
Meridianville
64
41
Boaz
McMinnville
70
Baxter
70
North
Collinsville
Henagar
Stevenson
Monteagle
Whitwell
Centre
Cedar Bluff
Fort Payne
Bridgeport
South Pittsburg
Jasper
41
Tracy City
Livingston
Ooltewah
Soddy-Daisy
Rome
Lindale
Cave Spring
Trion
LaFayette
Shannon
Chattanooga
Chickamauga
Summerville
Trenton
Crossville
40
Graysville
Red Bank
127
Pikeville
Monterey
127
A
11
th
74
W
d t
k
Holly Springs
Ball Ground
Cumming
321
Lenoir City
Loudon
25
La Follette
Sugar Hill
Dahlonega
Murphy
129
Alcoa
Gainesville
Maryville
Knoxville
640
Knoxville
Clinton
Norris
Jacksboro
Oak Ridge
Madisonville
Jasper
75
Lake City
Caryville
Blue Ridge
Ellijay
Etowah
411
Sweetwater
70
Oliver Springs
Canton
64
Athens
Benton
75
Kingston
Harriman
27
Chatsworth
Decatur
Cleveland
Cartersville
Adairsville
Calhoun
Dalton
Collegedale
Dayton
27
Rockwood
Spring City
Jamestown
Crab Orchard
East Ridge
Fort Oglethorpe
Ringgold
Chattanooga
Signal Mountain
Dunlap
Spencer
Sparta
Algood
Cookeville
Coalmont, TN
Gruetli-Laager
Smithville
Carthage
Cowan
Decherd
Woodbury
Scottsboro
Tullahoma
Winchester
Albertville
Guntersville
New Hope
24
Manchester
70
Watertown
Gordonsville
Hartsville
South
Estill Springs
Murfreesboro
New Market
Lynchburg
231
Shelbyville
Smyrna
231
Lebanon
Walterhill
Nashville
La Vergne
Hazel Green
31
East
Mount Juliet
Hendersonville
Fayetteville
Lewisburg
Ardmore
431
Franklin
Nolensville
Brentwood
Nashville
Goodlettsville
Ridgetop
C
Andre
Blain
Mayn
Coalmont, TN
Map 4.5 Regional Urban Centers and Coalmont, TN
31
State
Hw
y 56
Scn
MapALTAMONT
4.6 Proposed Location Map of SGORP
Hwy 108
State Hwy 10
State Hwy 56
GRUETLI-LAAGER
H
State
08 Sc
wy 1
n
Main St
PALMER
State
H
wy 56
COALMONT
Grundy, TN
8
t
Sta
e
y
Hw
56
State Hwy 56
St
at
eH
wy
US Hwy 41
56
9th St
TRACY CITY
Sta
t
eH
wy
15
0
Marion, TN
US
Hw
1
y4
Legend
Coalmont
®
150
7400ac. Property
Hwy
Cardin Property
State
County_Boundary
0
0.5
1
2
3 Miles
Map 4.6 Possible Park Trail Parcels In Relation to the Town of Coalmont
32
on Map 4.1.
Park acquisition, development, and construction will occur in three phases and includes the development
of a trail system and a trailhead complex that consists of parking facilities, restrooms with showers, a welcome/permit station, camping facilities, a camp general store, a repair shop with an OHV wash area and
signage. Figure 4.1 illustrates the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park Sketch Site Plan.
Trail Head
Future
Campground
Host
Coa
Sou
Gulf
Trail He
Trail He
Figure 4.1 Southern Gulf Off Road Park Trail Head Sample Site Plan
33
Proposed Park Construction and Expansion Phases
Complete acquisition, park construction and expansion is projected to take 2-3 years. The proposed park
development and construction schedule is listed below in Table 4.1 This schedule is subject to change as
a result of unforeseen circumstances that cannot be identified or planned for at this time.
Table 4.1 Southern Gulf Off Road Park Construction Schedule
Establishment of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park Board
Employ Project Coordinator (will become Park Manager)
Purchase 600 to 2000 acres
Complete Master Plan Park Trails
Preliminary Design & BMP for Trail Development
Construction of Trails and Improve Existing Trails
PHASE I
Environmental compliance/mitigation of trails
Complete Master Plan for Campground & Trail Head
Preliminary Design Plans of Trail Head
Construct restrooms/showers/office
Construct parking area
Construct educational and information area
Construct accessible park amenities
Construct pedestrian connectivity
34
Establishment/adoption of Park Management, Operations, and Personnel Plan
Purchase 300 acres to 2,000 acres
Design and construction of trails
PHASE II
Further development of trailhead and park entrance
Design and construct welcome/permit station
Design and construct camp general store
Design and install signage
Design and construct camping facilities
Interview and train park ranger patrol officers and sales staff
Develop administration/regulatory documents
Purchase 300 acres to 2,000 acres
Design and construction of trails
PHASE III
Design and install signage
Design and construct repair shop and OHV wash area
Employ train park ranger patrol officers and sales staff
Design logo and purchase merchandise, brochures, permit decals, wristbands, and
maps
Permitted Off Road Vehicle Types
OHVs are motorized recreational vehicles designed for off-highway use (Off-Highway Vehicle). They
are also called ORVs or Off-Road Vehicles. OHVs include, but are not limited to: all terrain vehicles
(ATVs) generally 4-wheeled and commonly referred to as “quads” (some older 3-wheeled versions are
still in use); 4-wheeled side-by-sides, typically wider than the 50” ATVs, such as polaris; motorcycles
35
(dirt bikes); Jeeps; four-wheel drive pickups (4x4s); dune buggies; “baja” bugs (modified Volkswagon
Beetles); sand rails; and modified golf carts. The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will allow all OHVs
identified above with the exception of 3-wheeled versions. Some vehicles, depending on their design and
construction, may or may not be street legal. Vehicles may have a generalized Off-Highway purpose or
they may be designed for a specific terrain such as rock crawling or mountain climbing. Thus, OHV recreation is the sport of driving these vehicles. Some enthusiasts race against each other, others are simply
exploring backcountry that would otherwise be inaccessible. Some are testing their skills at maneuvering
difficult terrain, while many are just enjoying a common interest with their family.
Inventory of Park Facilities
Types of Trails and Off-Roading Features
The design of the trail system will occur after land acquisition of the first 600 to 2000 acres in Phase I and
continue into Phases II and III. The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will provide a range and diversity of
trail opportunities that will satisfy a wide range of user groups. The park trail system will consist of many
trails types for different OHVs and provide trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Challenging terrain
such as rock crawls are also proposed in the trail system. Even though trail layout and design of the property has not been completed, the following trail characteristics are proposed for the park. The Appendix
includes technical trail design resources that will be utilized during trail planning and construction.
• Trails suited for different types of OHVs
Trail signage throughout the trail system should identify which OHVs are permissible for each trail.
Different trails will be designed for different types of OHVs. The design and features of a trail contribute to the challenge and enjoyment of riding it. The trail terrain, aggregate, and obstacles are
specific to different types of OHVs. For example, dirt bike enthusiasts prefer tight single track trails
to double track trails because they are more challenging. Trails designed to accommodate 4WDs will
have obstacles too difficult for ATVs. Gatekeepers, such as large logs and boulders, can be placed at
trail entrances to keep out OHVs not permitted on specific trails. By only riding your vehicle on trails
designated for your vehicle, you preserve the challenge and difficulty of trails for future riders.
Trail widths are determined by OHV types and whether the trail is one-way, two-way, or competitive.
Motorcycle trails are typically 3-5 feet wide. However, ATVs/Quads that are 50” or smaller have trails
that typically are designed to be 6-10 feet wide. 4WD trails are typically 10 plus feet wide. Trail
length is also dependant on the OHV type. Motorcycle trails are typically longer than ATV and 4WD
36
trails and allow for faster travel speeds. Whereas, ATV and 4WD trails usually have obstacle features
such as rock/boulder galleries and log crossings and are shorter trails.
Other trail features that are designed specific to OHVs are trail slope, tilt, trail aggregate/cobble, and
clearance zones. Most multi-use OHV trail systems provide three trail types: motorcycle, ATV/50”
quad, and 4WD. They may also allow trail sharing between ATVs and 4WDs on a main trail loop, then
provide options for ATVs and 4WDs to separate onto trails with features more suited for their vehicle.
This also preserves the trail integrity of each trail type.
• Trail Design
The topography, soil type, and surface waters of the proposed park location will determine trail
layout and construction. See Map 4.7, through 4.16 for illustration of these features on the proposed parcel. The trail system should follow the loop design concept which is composed of a
series of looped trails that branches off the main trailhead entrance onto a main trail that takes
riders to their designated OHV trail. Trails specific to OHVs should continue the loop concept
and provide trails in varying degrees of difficulty. This provides for a range of recreational riding
experiences, with the first loop for beginner skill level, second loop for moderate skill level, and
third loop for advanced riding experience. The layout allows the rider to loop back to the trailhead
on a trail he/she judges to be appropriate for his/her skill level.
Curvilinear trail design concepts should also be utilized which breaks long trail sections into
curved, s-shaped portions as opposed to straight trails. This enhances the users’ experience and
enables users to take advantage of landscape features such as scenic vistas and overlooks. Other
elements to consider in trail design include: width, slope, trail bed aggregate, vegetative clearance
zone, obstacles, trail capacity, intersections, and switchbacks. One of the most important things to
remember in OHV trail design is to keep it rustic and natural.
• Trails Designed and Rated by Level of Difficulty
In order to enhance the OHV recreational experience, the park should provide trails with different
degrees of difficulty to appeal to all kinds of riders. Trails should be rated : Easy, Moderate, and
Difficult. The easy trails are intended to be suitable for novice riders and those who don’t have
the skill or desire to ride more difficult trails. Easy trails are often used as main trails in the loop
system and provide the principal access to the advanced trails. Easy trails typically have gentle
grades of 15% or less, sweeping turns, and a fairly smooth trail bed with no obstacles. Moderate
trails are intended for a majority of the enthusiast population. They require well developed skills
and trails that will at times prove challenging to the average rider. Moderate trails have grades of
30% or less, tighter curves, climbing turns, sections of rough trail bed, and some log or rock ob-
37
stacles. Difficult trails are intended for expert riders and are dedicated to very experienced enthusiasts who seek additional challenges that tax the their skills and abilities. Difficult trails typically
have grades of 50% or less, numerous tight curves and switchbacks, rough trail bed, and lots of
obstacles and sections of rough terrain.
Trail design elements that create levels of difficulty and should be considered in trail design include: trail alignment, slope, width, aggregate, clearing zone, obstacles, side-slope, and rider exposure/ isolation. Trail signage throughout the trail system should rate trails based on their level
of difficulty.
• Trail Features
Trail features should be utilized to create more interesting trails and provide challenges to OHV
riders. Types of trail features include: rock/boulder crawls, mud bogs, gatekeepers, logs, trail
aggregate, slope, tilt, water features, water crossings, bridges, raised plank decking, puncheons,
scenic vistas and overlooks.
• Spectator Opportunities
Many OHV enthusiasts enjoy not only riding the trails, but also watching fellow riders tackle difficult terrain and features. Some friends and family members may also prefer to watch the sport
as opposed to participate. For this reason, many OHV enthusiast like parks that provide spectator
opportunities at specific locations along the trail system. Spectator opportunities are safe areas
for people to watch the riders at a distance and share in the experience. The park should provide
several opportunities for this throughout the trail system.
38
Grundy, TN
BM
ine
Rd
Legend
Marion, TN
®
Cardin Property
County_Boundary
0
1,000 2,000
4,000
6,000 Feet
Map 4.7 Topography of Proposed Cardin Tract
39
Grundy, TN
BM
ine
Rd
Legend
Marion, TN
®
Cardin Property
County_Boundary
0
1,000 2,000
Map 4.8 Aerial Photography of Proposed Cardin Tract
40
4,000
6,000 Feet
Grundy, TN
BM
ine
Rd
Legend
Marion, TN
®
Cardin Property
County_Boundary
0
1,000 2,000
4,000
6,000 Feet
Map 4.9 Streams of Proposed Cardin Tract
41
LaB
LaC
RaC
RaC
LoB
BoF
Grundy, TN
LaB
Legend
BM
ine
Cardin Property
Rd LaC
County_Boundary
Grundy_Soils
Type
RaC
LaD
BoF
LoB
LaB
CoB
RaE
RaE
CoB
LaD
LaB
LaC
LaD
LaD
CoB
CoB
Marion, TN
LoB
®
RaC
RaE
0
1,000 2,000
Map 4.10 Soils of Proposed Cardin Tract
42
4,000
6,000 Feet
Grundy, TN
BM
ine
Rd
Legend
Marion, TN
®
Cardin Property
County_Boundary
0
1,000 2,000
4,000
6,000 Feet
Map 4.11 Elevations of Proposed Cardin Tract
43
Grundy, TN
Marion, TN
at
St
eH
wy
15
0
US H
w y 41
Legend
®
Cardin Property
County_Boundary
Streams
0
2,000 4,000
Map 4.12 Topography of Proposed Prior Ridge Tract
44
8,000
12,000 Feet
Grundy, TN
Marion, TN
at
St
eH
wy
15
0
US H
w y 41
Legend
®
Cardin Property
County_Boundary
Streams
0
2,000 4,000
8,000
12,000 Feet
Map 4.13 Elevations of Proposed Prior Ridge Tract
45
Grundy, TN
Marion, TN
at
St
eH
wy
15
0
US H
w y 41
Legend
Cardin Property
®
County_Boundary
Streams
0
2,000 4,000
Map 4.14 Streams of Proposed Prior Ridge Tract
46
8,000
12,000 Feet
Grundy, TN
Legend
County_Boundary
7400ac. Property
7400ac_Soils
Marion, TN
MUSYM
Grundy,
TN
US
Hw
y
le
an
M
y4
Bg
1S
Cgcn
R
d
Ck
US
Hb
50
Mg
wy 1
Mf
H
State
Lb
1
Ja
y4
He
Hw
Hd
®
Rc
Sa
0
2,000 4,000
8,000
12,000 Feet
Map 4.15 Soils of Proposed Prior Ridge Tract
47
Grundy, TN
Marion, TN
Grundy, TN
US
Hw
y
le
an
M
y4
1S
cn
R
d
US
Hw
y4
1
H
State
wy 1
50
Legend
®
County_Boundary
7400ac. Property
0
2,000 4,000
Map 4.16 Elevations of Proposed Prior Ridge Tract
48
8,000
12,000 Feet
Restrooms/Showers/Office
The park will provide day use restrooms with showers and lockers at the trailhead. The facilities will be
modest in the first phase of construction but designed with the ability to expand the facility in the future if
necessary when ridership increases. An office space and storage space will also be constructed in the same
building as the public restrooms. The office space will be utilized by the Park Manager and Park Ranger
Patrol Officers. It will be the center of park administration and where employees and volunteers report
to work. The storage space will be used for trail maintenance equipment storage and should have double
doors and a ramp apron for driving mowers, dozers, and loaders into the storage space. The preliminary
estimate for this facility of 10,000 s.f is approximately $450,000.00 which includes design and site excavation work. See Figure 4.2 for a sketch of the proposed facility.
Day Use Area Restroom Facility
FIgure 4.2 Sketch of Restrooms, Office and Storage Facility
49
Parking and Sidewalk Facilities
These facilities will consist of a 46,000 square feet of parking area, ADA parking, and sidewalk connecting the parking facilities to the restrooms and office. See Figure 4.1. The preliminary estimate for these
features in Phase I is $107,490, not including labor for construction. Additional parking and sidewalks
will be necessary in subsequent phases as more park amenities are added such as the camp general store
and camping facilities.
Welcome/Permit Station
The entrance is the first impression of the park visitors get when they approach the facility. The entrance
should consist of a Southern Gulf Off Road Park sign and landscaped entrance that welcomes visitors.
Later phases of construction should include the installation of a permit station where visitors are greeted,
buy use permits, sign waiver, and receive OHV decals and individual wristbands. This ensures that all
park visitors are properly notified of park rules and have completed all documentation and received all
necessary materials for a safe and enjoyable experience. A self-service pay station should be evaluated
for off-season and low-volume periods. During initial park operation prior to the installation of a station,
this responsibility can occur out of Town Hall, but is not recommended for long-term operation as ridership increases.
Informational Kiosk, Trail Markers, and Signage
Phase I proposes the installation of one educational kiosk at the trailhead. The kiosk will possess a diagram of the trail system with trails marked for difficulty and permitted OHV use. The kiosk shall also list
park trail rules and phone numbers for emergency contacts. Additional signage will be installed throughout the park and trail system as amenities increase and further trail design and construction is enhanced.
Additional signage will include: park amenity signs (camping facility, general store, repair shop, OHV
wash); trail identifications signs placed at each trail within system (trail name, which OHVs permitted on
trail, and level of difficulty); trail directional signs; mile marker signs; stop signs; approaching intersection signs; speed limit signs; and spectator area signs. Additional signage along trail system could include
reminders to “Stay the Trail.”
Camping Facilities
Camping facilities are proposed in later phases of development. Camping facilities will include primitive
camping sites with fire rings, grills and centralized water. As ridership increases and demand exists, RV
50
camping sites will be installed with electric hook-ups and individual water hookups. Camping facilities
will be located away from the trail system to decrease the impacts from noise. Adequate parking space
will be provided at camp sites to accommodate OHVs and vehicles. Public restrooms with showers will
be installed exclusively for campers. A camping facility fee schedule and grounds rules will be determined and adopted by the Park Board at a later date. Fees will be comparable to other OHV park camping facilities with similar amenities. A camping facility Master Plan will be developed at a later date for
design and construction specifications.
Camp General Store
A camp general store is proposed in phase two of construction and development of the park. The store
should be developed in conjunction with the campground and permit station. It will serve as a convenience store for day users and long-term visitors. The store will sell limited groceries and toiletries, ice,
first aid items, OHV general maintenance items, and Southern Gulf Off Road Park merchandise. The store
will maintain typical business operation hours dependant on the season.
Repair Shop and OHV Wash Area
A repair shop and adjacent OHV wash is proposed in later phases of construction and development as
ridership increases. The repair shop will be for minor OHV repair only and consist of a covered concrete
pad. The OHV wash will be coin or digital code operated and charges a use fee. The OHV wash will only
permit water use, soaps and detergent will not be allowed. The use of soaps and detergents requires secondary containment of runoff and additional environmental permitting, and therefore will not be allowed.
Signage for the repair shop and OHV wash will include use rules. Gas, oil and hydraulic fluids will be
evaluated for sale as the trail head is further designed and developed. Handling of all aforementioned
fluids will meet the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) standards.
Outdoor Lighting
Outside illuminating devices that are electrically powered will be installed, where needed, throughout
the trailhead and park., including the park entrance, permit station, parking facilities, sidewalks, camping
area, camp store, and restrooms. Lighting will have low wattage bulbs with downward facing fixtures.
Additional Amenities
Additional amenities possible at the park include picnic/pavilion areas , a playground area for children,
and a coin operated laundry area. Another possible amenity at the park is a junior trail consisting of
a short loop for the use of young riders located near the camping area where parents can monitor their
51
children’s progress. The loop would be restricted to OHVs or trail bikes no larger than 90 cc and no fast
or aggressive riding would be allowed. An event area, rock crawl and mud pit could be additions to the
park and used for holding OHV special events. This area would be for holding competitions and other
spectator events. The addition of these features will depend on park ridership and revenues. A suggestion/
comment box will be posted outside the office to allow park visitors the opportunity to describe their park
experience and make suggestions for improvements. The Park Board will review visitors’ comments and
make park revisions and additions with public feedback in mind.
Vendors
Vendors will be permitted within the Southern Gulf Off Road Park to enhance the OHV recreational experience and add to the atmosphere of special events and high volume weekends. The types of vendors
allowed should demonstrate a relationship to the OHV recreational sport such as OHV retailers, OHV
equipment and merchandise retailers, and food vendors. Park vendors should represent local businesses
as opposed to traveling from other regions and competing with local merchants for economic benefits.
One of the goals of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park is to be an economic stimulant to local businesses in
the area. To accomplish this goal, vendors from outside the immediate region will not be permitted to sell
within the park if a local merchant sells the same goods within the Coalmont City limits. For example,
local restaurants will be given priority as food vendors over food vendors from out of the region when
accepting vendor applications for special events. The same principle will apply to other vendor goods for
sale. The Park will also set specifications for the number of vendors allowed per type of goods to prevent
over-saturation of the market. Vendor Provisions specifying park vendor rules will be developed and adopted by the Park Board at a later date.
Park Safety and Maintenance
It is the goal of the Southern Off Road Park to create a safe, well-maintained, family-oriented OHV recreational attraction in the southeast. This will be partially accomplished through park and trail patrol and
enforcement of Park Rules by the Park Ranger Patrol Officers to ensure park and trail safety. Camping
facility rules, to be determined later, will create a safe long-term overnight environment for visitors. In
addition, police protection and law enforcement, fire protection, and EMA and medical services will be
provided by city and county departments and facilities. Park waste management will be managed by the
Park Manager, park ranger patrol officers, and staff. The City of Coalmont will provide trash pick-up to
the park.
Park and trail maintenance will be specifically defined and outlined in the Park Management, Operations,
52
and Personnel Plan. The Plan will provide provisions for daily, weekly, bi-weekly, seasonally, and annually grounds inspections and maintenance. Below is a generalized maintenance schedule for the park and
trails.
Daily - Briefly inspect park amenities such as permit station, camp store, restrooms, trailhead grounds,
camping facilities, repair shop and OHV wash area for trash, cleanliness, and stocking needs; patrol
grounds for park rules enforcement; maintain a use log for all park owned vehicles and equipment.
Weekly - Ensure trash pick-up; clean restrooms, permit station, and camp store, inspect camping facility
and repair shop/OHV wash area for proper working order of amenities; check all vehicles and equipment
for operability and keep a maintenance log for any needed work; ride trail system to ensure proper condition for visitor use; inventory merchandise and camp store stock and make orders.
Bi-Weekly - General mowing and brushing of the trailhead; brushing of trails as needed; ride trail system to check for environmental integrity of erosion control features to ensure BMPs are functioning properly; make any needed repairs to trails that pose an environmental or safety threat (check drains, culverts,
and ditches for debris, replace straw bales and silt fences as needed); check kiosk and other park signage;
empty suggestion box; and wash all park vehicles.
Seasonally - Make all needed repairs, environmental and general, to trail system identified in bi-weekly
inspections; inspect all park facilities including the camp ground, camp store, permit station, repair shop/
OHV wash area, restrooms, office, storage, parking, and sidewalks for any needed maintenance and make
repairs; weatherize facilities in the winter; check roofs and gutters; inspect all park and trail drainage systems for repairs; make adequate seasonal orders for permit decals and wristbands, check and inventory all
vehicles and equipment for operability and notify the Park Board in writing of any needs; schedule any
vehicle maintenance and take for service; and train all new employees and volunteers.
Annually - Inspect all buildings, facilities, and trails for good operational order and appearance and make
any needed repairs; update all required permits/documentation for environmental compliance; review
Park Board membership and make replacements as necessary; grade parking area and replace gravel
where needed; and restore/paint any needed features such as picnic tables, signs, or fencing.
Environmental Compliance, Mitigation, and Stewardship
Trail drainage and erosion protection methods will be employed in trail construction and regular maintenance. These standards will meet or exceed TDEC compliance standards and will be identified in the
Southern Gulf Off Road Park Best Management Practices Manual. This manual will be developed specifi-
53
cally for the region in which the Southern Gulf Off Road Park resides. A sample document may be found
in the Appendix. The document is titled “Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail
Maintenance and Construction” by the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development. The resource documents that specify technical construction methods for controlling adverse environmental impacts in OHV trail construction and use. These resources will be utilized during trail design
and construction. Surface water runoff is one of the significant impacts of trail development. A recent
technique to lesson impact is to minimize the collection or concentration of surface water to the greatest
extent possible. The following features will be installed and maintained, where necessary, throughout the
trail system to minimize drainage and erosion problems: drainage dips, culverts, armored trail beds (such
as buried cinder blocks and GeoBlock), silt fences, straw bales, filter strips, berms, deflectors, and corduroy. The resource documents cited detail the proper placement and installation of these features within
trail systems.
The OHV Park Summary section contained in this document outlines routine environmental compliance
actions. The described compliance actions will be conducted by the park to ensure no adverse impact to
the environment by regular inspection and monitoring of trail system and associated BMPs. Any damaged or failed erosion control features having adverse impact on the environment will be repaired immediately.
In order to maintain park and trail grounds, the park will have to purchase OHV vehicles and equipment.
The vehicles and equipment will be managed by the Park Manager and an inventory of vehicle/equipment use and maintenance will be recorded. Types of needed vehicles and equipment include: 2 ATVs, 1
side-by-side OHV, 1 4WD OHV, front deck mower, weed-eater, backhoe, dozer, front end loader, grader
attachment, chainsaws, air compressor, generators, and trailer for hauling.
Conserving the natural resources of the Cumberland Plateau is top priority of the Southern Gulf Off Road
Park. The park recognizes that without these natural resources, the park would not exist. OHV enthusiasts are attracted to the sport for the opportunity it provides them to engage the wilderness and experience
nature. Compromising these natural areas only destroys the beauty of the park and trails and would result
in park closure. Therefore, no one is more dedicated to implementing and enforcing environmental stewardship and educating fellow trail riders than local OHV enthusiast who love their sport and their local
trails. Therefore, the Southern Gulf Off Road Park should support the Blue Ribbon Coalition which is a
non-profit organization dedicated to protecting responsible recreational access to public lands and waters
via OHVs.
Education and Outreach
54
To ensure safe OHV use throughout the trail system and gain support for OHV recreation, the Southern
Gulf Off Road Park will provide OHV Safety Training Courses throughout the year at the park. The
courses will be taught by Park Ranger Patrol Officers and Volunteer OHV Club members with demonstrated expertise and required certifications. The courses will be offered for a nominal fee and all revenues
will go to the park for support of operation and maintenance. Courses should be offered once a month,
weather permitting. The park should also support the environmental stewardship program Tread Lightly
through membership. Members are eligible for stewardship grants for trail maintenance and other types
of support. Tread Lightly advocates minimal impact on natural environments and is supported by many
OHV parks nationwide. Their pledge is:
Travel and recreate with minimum impact.
Respect the environment and the rights of others.
Educate yourself-plan and prepare before you go.
Allow for future use- leave it better than you found it.
Discover the rewards of responsible recreation.
55
Market Analysis
D
Market Analysis
Target Market Definition
Male
Female
Sex:
Caucasian
American
Indian
African American
Asian
Hispanic
Other
To create an OHV tourist destination, that
serves all types of OHV enthusiasts, requires
an understanding of the target market. The
results from the public survey help to define
the target market for the proposed OHV Park.
The majority of the survey respondents were
from the southeast, which constituted over
88% of the total participants. Over 42%
of the respondents were from Tennessee.
Georgia had the second most participants
in the survey, followed by North Carolina
and Alabama. Table 5.1 illustrates the
survey respondents' location within the
U.S. States not identified in the table had
no participants in the survey. See Appendix
8.7 for full results.
According to the public survey, the typical
OHV recreationalist is a Caucasian male,
between the ages of 25 to 44. 94.3% of
the survey respondents were male and
96.1% were Caucasian. See Figure 5.1
and 5.2. 33.6% of the survey respondents
were between the ages of 35 to 44. 32.7%
of the respondents were between the
ages of 25 to 34. All other age groups,
combined, represented 33.6% of the survey
respondents. See Figure 5.3.
Race:
58
Market Analysis
Market analysis of the off-highway vehicle (OHV) community is necessary in the planning and development
of a successful OHV park that will serve the needs and desires of all riders and enthusiasts. To accomplish
this, a public survey was developed and circulated throughout the OHV community, via email and social
media, to identify rider characteristics, economics, and park and trail preferences. The survey was conducted
in August 2011. The survey was well received by the OHV community and had great success with 1,261
participants providing feedback. The participants were primarily from the southeast region but responses
came from all parts of the nation. The survey allowed the City of Coalmont to define the typical OHV rider,
OHV market needs, and the potential economic impact of the park on the Coalmont community. The survey
identified park amenity preferences, OHV type and trail preferences, and the desired cost range of day and
annual user permits. It also allowed the City to make future economic projections to support the success of
the proposed new park in Coalmont. The survey results are discussed below and also contained in Appendix
of this document.
Tennessee
509
Florida
13
Oregon
3
Georgia
159
Illinois
13
Colorado
2
North Carolina
116
Mississippi
13
Massachusetts
2
Alabama
79
California
9
Delaware
1
Kentucky
68
Missouri
9
Maine
1
South Carolina
44
New York
9
Michigan
1
Ohio
26
Texas
7
Minnesota
1
Virginia
26
Iowa
6
Montana
1
West Virginia
20
Maryland
5
New Hampshire
1
Indiana
18
Arizona
3
New Mexico
1
Pennsylvania
15
Arkansas
3
Oklahoma
1
Table 5.1 - Survey Respondents' locations
59
Figure 5.3 Age
Figure 5.4 Education
60
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
Figure 5.5 Employment
Figure 5.6 Income
61
Market Analysis
The educational attainment of 98% of the survey respondents exceeds a high school diploma. 33.2%
of survey respondents have some college or a 2 year degree. 27.7% of respondents completed a 4 year
college degree. See Figure 5.4. The employment characteristics of the survey respondents indicate
that 26.2% are professional workers, 21.9% are employed with a skilled trade or craft, and 19.6% are
employed as a manager or executive. These three categories constitute over 67% of the total participants.
See Figure 5.5. The income ranges of the survey respondents are illustrated in Figure 5.6 Three of the
income ranges received 22% of the responses each: $35,000-$49,000, $50,000-$64,999, and $65,000$99,999. Over 61% of the survey participants make over $50,000 a year. 17% of the survey respondents
earn over $100,000 a year. In summary, the social demographic profile of the typical OHV enthusiasts in
the southeast is a middle aged, male Caucasian that is college educated with a degree or skilled trade, is
employed as a professional, executive. or skilled worker, earning well above the average income in the
state of Tennessee. Therefore, OHV enthusiasts have discretionary/disposable income to support their
OHV recreational sport and provide indirect economic support to communities that host OHV parks.
Market Trends
Off-highway vehicle recreation is growing in popularity nationwide as vehicle technology and populations
increase. As this form of recreation has grown, so has a better understanding and acceptance of the sport
as a form of eco-tourism and economic development. The State of Tennessee recognizes that many of the
state's residents value and enjoy this form of recreation and has taken an active position in recent years
to support the development of parks and facilities providing opportunities for OHV recreation within the
State. Under the direction of the Tennessee Study Committee on Off-Highway Vehicles, an OHV survey
was conducted by the University of Tennessee. The report, titled Tennessee OHV User Survey, was
written by J. Mark Fly, Ph.D.,
Becky Stephens, Luke Askins, and Don Hodges, Ph.D and was made public in 2002. Based on 2000 U.S.
Census data, the report estimated that 11.6% of Tennessee households had OHV users in them. In 2000,
this totaled 259,240 households. Assuming that current Tennessee households demonstrate the same
percentage of OHV users, based on 2010 U.S. Census data, 279,858 households in Tennessee currently
have OHV users in them. This is a 8% increase over the past decade and results in 20,618 new OHV
users in the State based on population projections alone. This projection does not take into account that
the industry has grown within the state and the percentage of OHV users within the state per household
is likely to now exceed 11.6%.
According to the U.S. Forestry report, Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States and its Regions
and States: An Update National Report from the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment
62
Market Analysis
(NSRE), 18.9% of the state of Tennessee's population participates in OHV recreation. According to the
report, just fewer than 19 percent, or 14.4 million of the South’s 77 million people over 16, were OHV
participants between 1999 and 2007. The report also estimates that nearly one in five Americans (19.2
percent) age 16 and older participated one or more times in OHV recreation within the year of 2007. The
report also states the following trends in OHV sales:
"OHV annual sales more than tripled to over 1.1 million vehicles between 1995 and 2003. Since 2003,
however, sales have been flat, even dipping slightly in 2005, and again in 2006. The total number of
OHVs in existence in the U.S. (previously purchased and newly purchased) grew nearly as fast as sales,
increasing 174 percent between 1993 and 2003 (estimates of total number of OHVs have not been updated
since 2003). In just 10 years, the total existing number of OHVs grew from fewer than three million
vehicles to more than eight million in 2003. Sales in 2004 through 2006 totaled almost 3.25 million
vehicles. If sales in 2007 were at least 1 million new vehicles, and assuming that 80 percent of all vehicles
are still operable, there would be as many as 9.8 million ATVs and off-road motorcycles in the U. S. as
of January 1, 2008. The number of ATVs in the United States represents about 70 percent of the total
number of OHVs, not counting full-size, 4-wheel drive vehicles. Sales and popularity of Sport Utility
Vehicles and other 4-wheel-drive vehicles (e.g., jeeps and automobiles) are undoubtedly much higher than
that of ATVs and off-highway motorcycles."
According to the Tennessee Greenways and Trails Plan, 2008, greenways and trails, including OHV
trails, are forms of eco-tourism that are often major tourist attractions that generate expenditures in
lodging, food and recreation oriented services. The Plan proposes the development of these forms of
recreation throughout the state. Many other states have developed similar plans and have adopted State
OHV Programs as the sport's popularity increases. Many state and federal agencies are increasingly
providing grant funding for OHV park and trail development. However, as the demand and interest for
these types of parks and trails is increasing, many existing OHV facilities are closing due to many factors
such as the economy, environmental impacts, public funding cutbacks, and liability concerns. This has
increased the market need and demand for new OHV parks throughout the southeast.
OHV market trends were also defined in the public survey conducted in association with this business
plan. OHV user characteristics of the survey participants demonstrate the types of vehicles users are
riding, how many OHVs they own, how often they ride, and who they typically ride with. According to
the survey, 34.5% of respondents own one off-highway vehicle and 31.6% own two off-highway vehicles.
Of the 1,261 survey participants, 803 respondents own two or more OHVs. See Figure 5.7.
When asked how often survey participants ride their OHVs, 29.1% of respondents indicated they ride on a
monthly basis. 28.0% of the respondents indicated they ride on a weekly basis. 23.2% indicated that they
63
Market Analysis
Figure 5.7 Number of OHV Survey Respondents Own
Figure 5.8 How Often Survey Respondents Ride Their OHV
64
Market Analysis
ride their OHV two times a month. Based on these percentages, of the 1,261 survey participants who took
the survey, 987 respondents, or 80%, ride their OHVs one to four times a month. Figure 5.8 illustrates the
frequency of OHV use for the survey participants.
Most OHV riders prefer to share the off-roading experience with others. For this reason, many OHV
enthusiasts belong to OHV clubs and organizations and participate in group riding events. Survey
participants were asked to identify which OHV club or organization they belonged to. This list is contained
in Appendix 5.7. The survey also defines who OHV enthusiasts are riding with. The typical riding group
of the majority, 48.3%, of participants consists of friends. 38% of survey respondents' typical riding
group consists of club members. See Figure 5.9. Because OHV trail riding is a form of group recreation,
the sport acquires new supporters regularly and continues to grow in popularity as enthusiasts share their
recreational experience with friends and family. An additional trend of the OHV market is the willingness
of groups (family, friends, and clubs) to travel longer distances to OHV parks known for well developed
trails and parks with added amenities or for national or regional OHV events.
Market Needs
With the increasing popularity of OHV recreation comes the demand for more diverse OHV parks and
trail facilities. OHV enthusiasts not only need more OHV opportunities, but they also need these facilities
to be well planned and designed to adequately accommodate different types of OHVs and their specific
needs. All OHVs have different needs in trail design, width, aggregate, length, obstacles, and grade. The
Southern Gulf Off Road Park developers will research trail design resources prior to trail development and
construction to ensure these needs are met. Some riders prefer difficult terrain with many challenges while
others prefer easy trails mainly for enjoying nature and scenery. The public survey asked participants to
identify which types of OHVs they own in order to understand future needs in trail development of the
proposed Coalmont OHV park. 54.7% of respondents indicated ownership of a Jeep and 45.6% indicated
ownership of a 4WD. Of the 1,261 survey participants, 1,238 respondents own a Jeep/4WD OHV that
requires trail 10 feet in width or wider. 34.8% of respondents own an ATV and 17.7% own a motorcycle.
See Figure 5.10. Trail length is also dependent on the OHV type. Motorcycle trails are typically longer
than 4WD trails where obstacles, such as rock crawls, require slower speeds. Survey respondents provided
many comments in regards to preferred trail construction and OHV specifications and they are contained
in the Appendix.
When asked how long, in miles, an average ride was, 33.2% of the survey respondents indicated they
typically ride 10-20 miles a day. 23.4% of survey participants ride an average 20-30 miles a day. Based
65
Market Analysis
Figure 5.9 Type of Group Survey Respondents Typically Ride With
Figure 5.10 Type of OHV’s Owned by Survey Respondents
66
Market Analysis
Figure 5.11 Typical Ride Lengths of Survey Respondents
Figure 5.12 The Number of People Survey Respondents Typically Ride With
67
Market Analysis
on these survey results, trails should be designed at least five miles long, but typically not exceed 30 miles,
to accommodate the majority of OHV enthusiasts. Figure 5.11 illustrates typical trail lengths for day
rides of the survey respondents.
Due to the market trend of OHV enthusiasts traveling greater distances, in large groups, to OHV facilities,
there is a market need for parks to be designed as final destinations capable of sustaining visitors for several
days. Parks should be designed to accommodate groups of people on the trails and at park amenities
such as restrooms, campgrounds, and parking facilities. The survey results indicated that 31.9% of survey
respondents ride in groups of 5 to 10 people. 28.5% of respondents ride in groups of 3 to 5 and 25.2%
ride in groups of 1 to 3. 85.6% of the survey participants ride in groups of 10 people or less. See Figure
5.12. In addition, 55.2% of the surveyed OHV communities have children under the age of 16 in their
riding group. See Figure 5.13. Therefore, more than half of survey respondents need some park facilities
designed for the children in their families and could include a playground area and an OHV kiddie track
situated close to the campground.
OHV riders and groups are willing to travel longer distances to quality OHV trail systems that also provide
additional amenities for visitor support and convenience. Many enthusiasts take "OHV vacations" and need
full service facilities to maximize their overall experience. Survey respondents were asked to identify what
types of amenities they would like to see at the proposed Coalmont OHV park. See Figure 5.14. 85.6%
of survey respondents would like to see day use restrooms with showers and lockers. This allows people
to clean up prior to returning to camp or home. 85.7% of respondents would like to see campgrounds
at the park and 66.3% would like to see rental cabins. 84.3% of survey respondents would like the trail
system to have a rock crawl. This trail
feature attracts 4WD enthusiasts who
enjoy challenge crossings. 65.4% of
respondents would like water crossings
in the trail system. 53.9% would like the
park to have a welcome station and/or
camp general store. Other desired park
amenities were identified in the survey's
comment section and are contained in
Appendix 5.7. These included an OHV
Yes
wash area and an OHV repair shop.
No
OHV riders need reasonable pricing of
Figure 5.13 - Survey Respondents with Children in their Group:
68
Market Analysis
Figure 5.14 - Desired Park Amenities at the Proposed Coalmont Park
Individuals
Off Highway Vehicles
Figure 5.15 - Preference of Assignment of Trail Use Permits
69
Market Analysis
park user permits to enjoy frequent visits to OHV parks. As discussed earlier, most OHV enthusiasts travel
in family, friend, or club groups with multiple OHVs. When asked if survey respondents preferred parks
to assign use permit costs to OHVs or individuals, 59.8% of respondents preferred assignment to OHVs.
See Figure 5.15. Many respondents indicated that parks that assign use permit costs to individuals are too
expensive for the average family and therefore they frequent these parks less. However, 40.2% indicated
the need for parks to assign user fees/entrance fees to individuals to cover the cost of environmental and
user impact to the trails and park amenities. Even spectators have a measurable impact and therefore should
bear some of that cost. In addition, charging all individuals in the park keeps the facility at a comfortable
visitor capacity and decreases over-crowding of the park which results in a negative experience for all
visitors. To address this issue, many parks are now assigning moderately priced use permits to OHVs, but
also charging a minimal fee for all other individuals to enter the park.
Economic Benefits and Impacts
The economic benefits of OHV parks and trails to communities and regions have been assessed nationwide
in many reports and surveys. They all share and demonstrate the same conclusion: OHV recreational
facilities substantially increase economic revenues of communities and stimulate new business development
within these communities. Known economic benefits from OHV parks include: attraction of tourists to
an area, increases demand for existing and new services, generates entrepreneurial opportunities, sustains
and creates jobs, and increases property values.
A report written by Burton C. English, Jamey Menard, and Kim Jensen of the Department of Agricultural
Economics at the University of Tennessee, titled Estimated Statewide Economic Impacts of Off-Highway
Vehicles: A $3.4 Billion Industry, assess the statewide economic impact of the OHV industry in Tennessee.
The analysis uses 1998 prices and assumptions but does not carry a publication date. According to this
report, estimated economic impacts from OHV activities in Tennessee are close to $3.43 billion in total
economic activity, $2.33 billion in value added, and result in over 52 thousand full- and part-time jobs.
The report identifies the top ten market sectors impacted as a result of OHV users and activities: vehicle
dealers and service stations; miscellaneous retail; vehicle repair and services; hotels and lodging places;
eating and drinking; wholesale trade; food stores; transportation equipment; real estate; and owneroccupied dwellings. The report also estimates the number of households in Tennessee with an OHV user
to be 259,240 and projects that 60.1% of these households, or 155,803 contain active users who have
participated in OHV recreation in the last 12 months. The report estimates the median number of OHV
trips taken by these households as 12. It estimates that these households spend one 1.7 billion participating
in off-highway activities.
70
Market Analysis
Another report written by Burton C. English, Jamey Menard, and Kim Jensen of the Department of
Agricultural Economics at the University of Tennessee, titled Estimated Economic Impacts of Upper
Tellico Off-Highway Vehicle Users and Tellico River Trout Anglers, examines the economic impact of the
former Tellico OHV trail system on the local economy and assess the impact trail closure has had on local
businesses (analysis completed in 2008). It also estimates average annual park ridership through analysis
of use permit sales between 2002 and 2007. According to this report, the Tellico OHV facility use permit
sales ranged from 12, 529 to 7, 366 between 2002 and 2007, with an annual average of 10, 492 use permits
sold a year. This report estimated that direct OHV expenditures in 2008 from Tellico visitors was close to
$3.10 million, which financed 48 jobs. Total impacts for the Tellico region's economy were estimated to
be $4.80 million in total industry output from OHV users and OHV related expenditures. The estimated
total number of jobs created was 66, with total value added estimated at close to $2.74 million. Indirect
business taxes were estimated at $0.41 million. The report found that for every dollar OHV users spent on
capital or trip related expenditures, an additional $0.55 was generated throughout the region and for every
job created based on expenditures by OHV users, an additional 0.37 jobs were created in other industries
throughout the region. The study also found that the rock-crawler- type OHV users had a higher direct
expenditure value than other OHVs in the Tellico region. After Tellico's closure, 81.1 % of the businesses
surveyed indicated that their sales had declined and the average percentage decline among business was
43.5 %. These reports demonstrate a measurable economic benefit to communities from OHV parks in
Tennessee and it is anticipated the proposed Coalmont park will have similar impacts.
The public survey conducted in association with this business plan also defines economic characteristics
of the OHV industry that can be used to project future economic success for the proposed OHV park.
Survey participants were asked how far they typically travel to access trails, how much money they
typically spend on permits and indirect costs, and where they spend money per OHV event. When asked
how many miles, one way, survey respondents typically travel to ride OHV trails, 33.1% of participants
indicated they travel between 100 to 250 miles. 19% of respondents travel 75 to 100 miles and 14.5% of
respondents travel 50 to 75 miles. Figure 5.16 illustrates typical driving distances of survey participants
to OHV trails.
When asked what the maximum distance survey respondents were willing to travel to an OHV park,
30.6% indicated 100-250 miles. 28% indicated they would travel 250-500 miles and 26.4% indicated
they would travel over 500 miles to an OHV park. See Figure 5.17. A 500 mile buffer around the City
of Coalmont includes populations in all of Tennessee and parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South
Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio,
71
Figure 5.16-Typical Travel Distance to OHV Trails
Figure 5.17-Maximum Travel Distance to OHV Trails
72
Market Analysis
Market Analysis
Figure 5.18-Typical Expenditures Per Market Sectors
Figure 5.19-Typical Spending by OHV Park/Trail Visitors Per Trip
73
Market Analysis
Yes
No
Figure 5.20 - Survey Respondent’s That Pay to Ride OHV’s
Figure 5.21 - Typical Cost of Day Permit at OHV Park/Trail
74
Market Analysis
Figure 5.22 - Typical Cost of Annual Permit at OHV Park/Trail
Yes
No
Figure 5.23 - Survey Respondent’s Support for User Fees
75
Market Analysis
Florida, Maryland and West Virginia.
Survey respondents were asked to identify what market sectors they spend money in when traveling long
distances to OHV parks/trails. 92% of respondents indicated they purchased gas and 86% eat at local
restaurants. 74.7% of respondents purchase groceries and 71.8% stay at the local campground. See
Figure 5.18. Survey respondents were asked how much they typically spend when traveling to an OHV
park/trail. 22.8% of the respondents spend an average of $200-$299 per trip. 17.4% spend an average of
$300-$399 per trip. Over 70% of survey participants spend over $200 per trip. See Figure 5.19. If you
assume the proposed Coalmont OHV park will demonstrate around the same average annual number of
day permit sales (10, 000) as the former Tellico park, multiply this estimate by the typical amount spent
by OHV enthusiast per trail riding event ($200-$299), annual expenditure projections resulting from OHV
visitors at the proposed park are projected to be between $2,000,000 and $3,137,108 a year.
According to the survey, 85.2% of respondents pay to access/ride OHV trails. See Figure 5.20. 31.4%
of respondents pay between $10-$15 for a day permit at an OHV park/trail, while 28% of respondents
pay between $15-$20 for a day permit. 75% of the survey respondents pay $10 or more for a day permit
to access OHV trails See Figure 5.21. For survey respondents who usually purchase annual permits to
OHV parks/trails, 34% of them pay less than $50 for their annual permit. 25.5% of respondents spend
between $50-$75 for their annual permit and 21.8% spend between $75-$100. See Figure 5.22. Survey
respondents indicated that the cost they are willing to pay for day and annual permits depends on the
amount and quality of the trails and amenities at the OHV park.
When asked if they would support an OHV park in Coalmont, Tennessee, 98.8% of survey respondents
indicated that they would. See Figure 5.23. 31.6% of respondents indicated that they would support a
day permit cost between $10-$15 at the proposed Coalmont OHV park, assuming trails and amenities
were similar to existing parks. 29.6% of respondents indicated they would support a day permit cost
between $15-$20. Over 80% of survey participants indicated support for a day permit cost over $10 for
the proposed Coalmont OHV park. See Figure 5.24. When asked what permit cost would they support
for an annual permit at the proposed Coalmont park, 42.4% of respondents indicated support for a cost
between $50 - $75. 26.7% indicated support for a cost between $75 - $100 per annual permit. See Figure
5.25.
76
Market Analysis
Figure 5.24 - Cost of Daily User Fee Supported by Survey Respondents fo Coalmont Park
Figure 5.25 - Cost of Annual Fee Supported by Survey Respondents for Coalmont Park
77
Market Analysis
Competitive Comparison
Public survey participants were asked to list the three OHV trails/facilities they rode most often. The ten
locations that were listed the most by survey participants are illustrated in Table 5.2. See Appendix for
full results.
Black Mountain,Harlan County, KY
Windrock OHV Park, TN
Private Land
Golden Mountain OHV Park, TN
Uwharrie National Forest OHV Park, NC
Land Between the Lakes/ Turkey Bay
National Forest OHV Area, KY
Morris Mountain OHV Park, AL
Coal Creek OHV Area, TN
National and State Parks and Forests
Grey Rock ORV, AL
130
189
147
131
118
114
Wooley’s Off Road Park, TN
Mountainside Off Road Park, AL
Beasley Knob OHV Park, GA
Gulches ORV Park, SC
Ride Royal Blue OHV Resort, TN
Superlift ORV Park, AR
62
59
57
57
57
57
114
113
100
93
Wheelin’ In The Country Off Road Park, TN
Callantee OHV Park, TN
Tellico OHV Area, NC
Badlands OHV Park, IN
55
49
49
45
Table 5.2 - 20 OHV Trails/Facilities Visited Most Often by Survey Respondents
As discussed in the beginning of this section, the majority of the survey respondents were from the southeast,
which constituted over 88% of the total participants. Over 42% of the respondents were from Tennessee.
Georgia had the second most participants in the survey, followed by North Carolina and Alabama. With
the exception of private land and state and national forests, the 20 parks with the highest survey responses
are all located in the south. This is primarily due to the majority of respondents being from the south.
Well known OHV parks such as Hatfield-McCoy and Moab were also identified by respondents, but not in
the frequency of the parks and facilities listed above. In addition, the Tellico OHV trails, even though no
longer open to OHVs, were identified by survey respondents as one of three OHV facilities they frequented
most. A few survey respondents also identified OHV parks, in the comment section of the survey, that they
would like to see the proposed Coalmont park designed and modeled after. These parks included: Black
Mountain Adventure Area, KY; Southern Missouri Off Road Ranch (SMORR); Ride Royal Blue OHV
Resort, TN; Highland Off Road Park, GA; Hatfield-McCoy, WV; Rausch Creek Off Road Park, PA; and
Coal Creek OHV Area, TN.
The City of Coalmont's goal is to create an OHV park destination that will attract visitors nationwide
for its diverse and challenging trail system designed for all OHV types and the park's amenities that will
78
Market Analysis
accommodate long-term stay and recreational opportunities for guest. Therefore, an inventory of park
amenities at OHV parks and trails most frequented by survey respondents was created and is illustrated in
Table 5.3. The table allows for comparison of amenities between OHV parks.
The information in the table above was obtained from park web pages, therefore parks may have more
amenities than identified in the table. Seven of the parks listed in the table were identified as desired
models for the Southern Gulf Off Road Park. According to the table above, most of the OHV parks and
facilities most frequented by survey respondents have a form of over-night stay accommodation. At
a minimum, this is primitive camping. Ten of the parks listed above provide cabins for rent. Most of
the parks also have a day use bathroom with showers for visitors to clean up after the ride. These two
amenities seem to be the basic, minimal amenities for majority of the parks frequented the most by survey
respondents. In addition, some of the parks above not only provided most of the amenities in the table,
but also provided other amenities such as ponds for fishing, playgrounds, mini-golf, arcades, hiking trails,
horseback riding trails, basketball courts, and horseshoes.
Comparison between park amenities supports the proposed park fee schedule, in Section 6 of this Plan, for
the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park. The cost of park use permits is directly proportional to park
quality and amenities. The more on-site amenities that support long-term stays that a park has, the more
likely it will become an OHV tourist destination as opposed to only serve local populations.
79
Market Analysis
Table 5.3 - Comparison of Park Amenities at OHV Some Facilities Identified in Survey
Park Name
Trails
for all
OHV
types
Restrooms/
Showers
Primitive
Camping
RV Camping
Cabins
Pavilion
Camp
Store
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Golden Mountain OHV Park,
TN
x
x
x
x
x
x
Uwharrie National Forest
OHV Park, NC
x
x
x
Land Between
the Lakes/
Turkey Bay National Forest
OHV Area, KY
x
x
x
x
x
Morris Mountain OHV Park,
AL
x
x
x
Coal Creek
OHV Area, TN
x
x
x
Grey Rock
ORV, AL
No
ATV or
bikes
x
x
Wooley’s Off
Road Park, TN
No
bikes
x
Mountainside
Off Road Park,
AL
No
bikes
x
Beasley Knob
OHV Park, GA
x
x
Gulches ORV
Park, SC
x
x
x
Ride Royal
Blue OHV
Resort, TN
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Superlift ORV
Park, AR
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Wheelin’ In
The Country
Off Road Park,
TN
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Callantee OHV
Park, TN
x
x
x
x
Badlands OHV
Park, IN
No
quads
bikes
or buggies
x
x
Black
Windrock
Park, TN
80
Repair
Shop/
OHV
Wash
Storage
Area
Events
Guided
Tours
x
x
x
x
Kid
Track
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Permit
station/
repair
shop
Office/
repair
shop
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Market Analysis
Park Name
Trails
for all
OHV
types
Restrooms/
Showers
Primitive
Camping
RV Camping
Cabins
Only
bikes
and
ATVs
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
South Missouri Off Road
Ranch
No
sport
ATVs
or
bikes
x
x
x
Rausch Creek
Off Road Park,
PA
No
quads
or
bikes
x
x
Highland Park
Result, GA
Hatfield-McCoy, WV
Pavilion
Camp
Store
Repair
Shop/
OHV
Wash
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Storage
Area
x
Events
Guided
Tours
Kid
Track
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Table 5.3 - Comparison of Park Amenities at OHV Some Facilities Identified in Survey
Continued
81
Marketing Strategy
E
Marketing Strategy
Value Proposition
According to the public survey conducted in association with this plan, a new OHV park that provides
challenging recreation for all types of OHVs is needed in the Coalmont community. The proposed
Southern Gulf Off Road Park would not only benefit the local OHV riders in Tennessee, but also all OHV
enthusiast from across the nation. Of the 1,261 survey participants, 98.8% indicated that they would
support the proposed Coalmont OHV Park. Many of the respondents indicated the need for a new park
in the southeast that provides trails for all OHVs while also providing desired park amenities. The City
of Coalmont plans to design a park for all OHV types, with separate trails, rated by difficulty, and provide
many of the park amenities identified in the public survey. Therefore, the proposed park will satisfy
identified unmet needs of the OHV community.
As cited in the previous section, over 259,240 households in Tennessee have OHV users in them (Fly et
al. 2001) and there are currently over 30 established OHV clubs and organizations within the state. It
is estimated that 14 million people in the south enjoyed OHV recreation between 1999 and 2007 (U.S.
Forestry Service et al. 2008). Therefore, the market exists within the state and southeast to support the
proposed new park.
The proposed location of the park will also benefit the parks ability to succeed. The Cumberland Plateau is
known for its beautiful mountainous, scenic terrain and is a tourist attraction for many outdoor enthusiasts
nationwide. In addition, the park's proposed centralized location in the southeast make it readily accessible
to all OHV users in the southeast. According to the public survey, 85% of respondents will travel over
100 miles to an OHV park. Over 54% of survey participants indicated they would travel over 250 miles
to an OHV park. 26.4% indicated they would travel more than 500 miles to an OHV park.
Competitive Edge
In order to determine the competitive edge of the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park, research and
comparative analysis of the existing OHV parks /trails within the state was done. According to the public
survey and research of OHV facilities within the state, there are currently around 40 OHV trails/facilities
within Tennessee. Over 50% of these facilities are established trails owned and maintained by OHV
clubs and organizations and are not open to all of the public, but are known and frequented by local club
members. 25% of the OHV facilities are motocross type tracks that only cater to motorcycles and ATVs
and are short tracks that are not wooded or scenic trails. 5% of the OHV trails within the state of Tennessee
identified by survey respondents were located on state or federal park lands, and therefore possess minimal
or no amenities with the exception of a public restroom. 20% of the OHV facilities identified within the
state are established OHV parks that are open to the public and possess some amenities. Some of these
84
Marketing Strategy
parks contain more amenities than others, but no park contains all the amenities combined with the desired
trail types, and allows all types of OHV use. If the park contains all the desired amenities, then it does
not separate trails based on OHV use, or allow all types of OHVs. If the trail system meets the desired
market need, then the park lacks amenities to support extended stay or other needs. In addition, some of
these parks charge user fees in excess of the desired daily user fee indentified in the public survey. Some
of these facilities also charge the same rate for passengers/spectators as they do for OHV rider use permits.
Therefore, a day trip for a family of four could easily fall between $60 to $80 just to get in the park.
Therefore, the competitive edge of the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park will be to provide the
OHV community with what is missing from their competitors, at a greater value. Although accomplished
through phases, the Southern Gulf Off Road Park will develop an OHV trail system that is challenging,
scenic, and specific to different types of OHVs while providing most of the desired amenities needed for
day trips and long term vacations. In addition, the park user permit costs will reflect the consensus of
the survey respondents, therefore making access to the facility more affordable than some of the existing
parks.
Land Use Fees/ Permit Schedule
In determining the day and annual user fee costs of the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park, user permit
costs at parks identified in the public survey were compared. Table 6.1 illustrates user permit fees at the
most frequented parks by survey respondents.
According to the table above, state and federal park lands with little or no amenities have low user permit
costs in comparison to privately owned parks with a many trail and park of amenities. Typically, the more
amenities a facility has, the more expensive their use permit. The price range for day use permits for
facilities listed in the table above is between $5 to $30 a day. The price range for annual use permits for
individuals is between $26.50 and $250 a year. The wide range of variation in permit costs is due to many
factors including residency, ownership, and amenities.
According to the public survey conducted in association with this plan, 31.6% of respondents indicated
that they would support a day permit cost between $10-$15 at the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park
and 29.6% of respondents indicated they would support a day permit cost between $15-$20. Therefore,
over 80% of survey participants indicated support for a day permit cost over $10 for the proposed park.
When asked what permit cost would be supported for an annual permit, 42.4% of respondents indicated
support for a cost between $50 - $75. 26.7% indicated support for a cost between $75 - $100 per annual
permit.
85
Marketing Strategy
Table 6.1 - User Permit Costs for OHV Parks and Trails Identified in Public Survey
Day Permit
Multiple Day
Permit
Annual Permit
Passengers/
Spectators
Children
Not available
Month-$20
1st OHV -$35
None
Same as
adult
Same as rider
Under 17:
Park Name
Black Mountain, Harlan
County, KY
Brimestone Recreation, TN
2nd OHV-$30
$18
2 Day-$35
3rd OHV-$25
Adult-$67.50
3 Day-$40
Child-$35
1 Day-$10
4 Day-$45
2 Day-$15
Week-$50
3 Day-$20
4 Day-$25
Golden Mountain OHV Park,
TN
Uwharrie National Forest
OHV Park, NC
Land Between the Lakes/
Turkey Bay National Forest
OHV Area, KY
Morris Mountain OHV Park,
AL
Coal Creek OHV Area, TN
$20 per OHV
Not available
$5
$5
$15 per OHV
each additional
day
Not available
$30
None
1-3 Day - $15
7 Day-$30
Annual-$60
None
$20
Weekend-$30
None
None
$17
2 Day-$33
Adults-$88
Same as rider
3 Day-$44
Child-$44
4 Day-$55
Week-$30
No riders
under 18 allowed
Same as
adult
Same as
adult
No riders
under 18 allowed
(Under 12)
$8
2 Day-$16
3 Day-$22
Grey Rock ORV, AL
Wooley’s Off Road Park, TN
86
4 Day-$28
Fees are dependent on event and number of riders. Must call for reservations.
$10
Not available Not available Same as rider
Same as
adult
Marketing Strategy
Day Permit
Multiple Day
Permit
Annual Permit
Passengers/
Spectators
Children
Mountainside Off Road Park,
AL
$10
Not available
Not available
None
Beasley Knob OHV Park, GA
$5
Not available
$50
None
Friday-$15
Weekend-$50
Not available
$5
Sat&Sun-$25
TN Resident$12.50
Same as
adult
Same as
adult
Under 12 are
free
Not available
TN Resident$45
None
Under 13 are
free
None
No riders
under 16
Same as
adult
Same as
adult
Park Name
Gulches ORV Park, SC
Ride Royal Blue OHV Resort,
TN
Out of StateSuperlift ORV Park, AR
$30.50
In season:
Out of
State-$108
Not available
Bike/ATV- $15
Individual-$250
Family-$350
SUV-$30
Off Season:
Bike/ATV- $10
SUV-$15
$15
Not available
Not available
Same as rider
Callantee OHV Park, TN
4WD-$15
Not available
Not available
Same as rider
Badlands OHV Park, IN
ATV/Bike-$11
Trail or Moto:
Trail or Moto:
Not available
$5
$20
2 Day-$30
Trail and
Moto: $30
3 Day-$40
Wheelin’ In The Country Off
Road Park, TN
Under 11 are
free
4 Day-$50
Trail and
Moto:
2 Day-$50
3 Day-$70
4 Day-$90
87
Marketing Strategy
Day Permit
Multiple Day
Permit
Annual Permit
Passengers/
Spectators
Children
Weekday:
Not available
Not available
None
Under 8 are
free
Park Name
Highland Park Result, GA
Men-$20
8 to 15-$15
Women-$15
Weekend:
Men-$25
Hatfield-McCoy, WV
Women-$20
Not available
Not available
WV Resident-$26.50
Same as rider
Same as
adult
Not available
$5
Under 12 are
free
Not available
$7
Under 15 are
free
NonResident$50.00
South Missouri Off Road
Ranch
$20
Rausch Creek Off Road
Park, PA
$35*
2 Day-$35
3 Day-$45
4 Day-$55
Not available
*All riders
must pay $15
membership
fee once a year
in addition to
daily entrance
fee.
When asked if survey respondents preferred parks to assign use permit costs to OHVs or individuals, 59.8%
of respondents preferred assignment to OHVs. However, 40.2% indicated the need for the proposed park
to assign user fees/entrance fees to individuals. The difference of opinions on this issue stems from three
problems all parks have: the cost to enter the park for riders and their friends and family; the recognized
impact each person, including spectators and passengers, have on park trails and amenities; and exceeding
trail and amenity capacities resulting in over-crowded parks and its associated impact on the visitor's
quality of experience at the park. Seven of the facilities listed in the table above charge the same fee for
passengers and spectators as they do for riders. Five of the parks charge a passenger/spectator entrance
fee between $5 and $7. Eight of the parks do not charge anything for passengers/spectators to enter the
park.
88
Marketing Strategy
Three of the parks listed in the table above do not allow children in. Eight of the parks allow children
in free if they are under a certain age. Fourteen of the parks charge the same rider fee to children under
18 as they do for adults. (Some of these parks allow younger children in at no cost and only charge the
minors that are typically old enough to ride OHVs a fee). Four of the parks provide discount rider fees
for children under a certain age that are less than what they charge for adults.
As illustrated in Table 6.1, there are many ways to design a park's fee schedule based on the time of trail
use and who is riding the trail and entering the park. Based on the public survey results and the data
collected on existing OHV facilities, the following Park Use Permit Fee Schedule, illustrated in Table
6.2, is proposed for the Southern Gulf Off Road Park. This fee schedule is subject to change after the
establishment of, and assessment by, the Southern Gulf Off Road Park Board. Camping fees will be
assigned at a later date by the Park Board. However, typical fees associated with primitive tent camping
are $10 a night and rv camping is typically $30 a night for 2 people, with additional charges for each
additional person.
Table 6.2 - Proposed Use Permit Fee Schedule for the Southern Gulf Off Road Park
Day Permit (per
OHV and one operator)
Multiple Day Permit
Annual Permit
Additional Adults
(Passengers/ Spectators) Per Day in
Park
Children
Under 10 are free
Riders ages 11-17:
2 Day-$30
$16
3 Day-$45
4 Day-$55
Adult: $85
Children 11-17: $75
1 Day-$14
$5
2 Day-$25
3 day-$40
4 Day$-50
89
Marketing Strategy
Promotion Strategy
Logo and Branding
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will develop their own established logo that will represent the park
and be printed on all merchandise and materials and appear in all forms of media. The park's logo should
be designed by Phase III of the project so that park merchandise and materials can be branded prior to
park opening. The logo design will represent the OHV park and the City of Coalmont and be the first
impression of the facility to the public. The logo should appeal to and attract all types of individuals from
the OHV community.
Signage
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will have a park sign located at the entrance to the park displaying the
park's name and logo. This will serve as the first impression Coalmont residents and park visitors get of the
new OHV facility. The park will also possess a trailhead kiosk that will display the park logo, trail map,
and park rules as well as TDEC, Recreational Trails Program grant funding recognition. The trail system
will also possess signage specific to trail use that will display the park logo. The park may also choose
to advertise via off-premise signs such as billboards along Interstate 24. Directional signs throughout the
City of Coalmont and Grundy County may also be used to attract and guide tourists to the park.
Merchandising
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will have merchandise available for sale to the public at the park general
store and possibly at other locations throughout the City of Coalmont. Merchandising will include adult
and children t-shirts, hats, car decals, key chains, water bottles, etc. All merchandise will possess the
park's logo and its location within the City of Coalmont, Tennessee.
Printed Material
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will design and distribute printed material with the park's logo and
other information displayed on it which includes: park color fold-out brochure, park color single-page
flyer, laminated park trail map, OHV permit stick-on decals, OHV operator and park spectator/passenger
wristbands, and special event advertising. The park's fold-out brochure will contain a list of the park
rules and a trail system map and will be given to each OHV use permit operator upon purchase of the
permit. A laminated trail map will only be available through additional purchase in the camp general
store. Special event banners may also be designed and displayed with the park's logo and the City of
90
Marketing Strategy
Coalmont, Tennessee on it. Local businesses could support some of the cost associated with the brochure
by taking out ad space that would be printed on the brochure advertising such things as restaurants and
retailers in the City of Coalmont.
Marketing Programs
Multi-Media and Advertising
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will design and maintain a website that will serve to advertise the
facility as well as provide park information to the public. The website will promote the park's trail system,
amenities, and events in addition to post park rules and use permit costs. Additional information found
on the website will consist of permit applications, future planning and development efforts, Mobile phone
applications for Trail System GPS and user feedback surveys. Local businesses could support some of the
website cost by advertising on the webpage. This will also increase the revenues of the local businesses
that purchase ads on the webpage. The park will also establish an email address and park phone number
to serve public inquires. The park will utilize all economically feasible forms of advertisement such as
off-premise signs, television and radio commercials, seasonal publications, newspaper ads and social
media to include Face Book.
Conferences, Shows, and Presentations
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will attend trail and eco-tourism related conferences and OHV retailer
trade shows, when feasible, to market and advertise the park throughout the OHV community. This could
include setting up vendor/sponsor booths at such events. OHV rider safety training presentations could
also be given to educate the public of responsible ridership and introduce new people to the sport.
OHV Club and Retailer Support
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will work closely with local OHV clubs and OHV retailers to create
relationships of support and partnership via advertisement, sponsorship, vending, and discounted rates
of goods and services. Examples of this include: offering free passes with the purchase of an OHV at a
local retailer in exchange for advertisement of the park within the retailer's facility; providing discounted
group rates to OHV clubs that advertise the park on club websites; providing discount vendor rates to
OHV retailers who allow the park advertising space within their facility; and providing discounts to OHV
club members who assist with special events at the park and post an ad for the event on their webpage.
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park currently has a formal relationship with the Southern Four Wheel Drive
Association (S4WDA). The S4WD Association has agreed to provide $100,000.00 in labor to develop
91
Marketing Strategy
and mitigate trails within the proposed Southern Gulf Off Road Park.
Municipal Support
The Southern Gulf Off Road Park will be owned and operated by the City of Coalmont, Tennessee.
The park will provide economic revenue to the region and stimulate business growth throughout the
community. Therefore, the City will actively support and advertise the park as a form of tourism to the
City and County. The Park will be a representation of the City, and the City a representation of the Park,
therefore sound community planning, management, and support is necessary between both entities. As
a recognized economic asset to the community, the park will support local businesses via a community
bulletin board at the park. This board can be replicated on the park website. These bulletin boards will
be available to local merchants, such as restaurants, to post flyers advertising their goods and services.
In exchange, participating merchants shall also allow for park flyers or brochures to be located at their
facility and website to increase advertisement and support for the park.
Elected and appointed city officials shall also assume a supportive roll of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park
and promote the facility throughout the region/nation at meetings and conferences where attendance is
funded by City revenues.
92
Financial Plan
F
Financial Plan
The financial plan section of this document is intended to provide the Town of Coalmont a general
assessment of project expenditures and possible cash flow projection for a completed project. A full
cash flow projection with project phasing should be undertaken during the completion of the master plan
for the campground and trailhead as well as the park trails. The projection acts as a guide for potential
revenues and is only as good as the assumptions on which the cash flow project is based.
General Assumptions
The cost estimate and revenue projections associated with this plan are based on a series of assumptions
for planning, financing, design, and construction costs for the project. Any of the associated opinion
of costs cannot be substantially relied on until the master plan for each portion of the park is complete.
This chapter is a basic guide for making estimates and discussion for the Town of Coalmont in moving
forward. There are clearly ways to eliminate and to reduce costs through the level of amenities at the
trail head and along the OHV trails. However, these costs cannot be accurately determined without a
master plan for the trailhead and park trails. The master plan cannot be completed until the property has
been acquired or leased by the Town of Coalmont.
Project Assumptions consist of the following bullet point items in relation to the Cash Flow Projections
as well as the Implementation Plan Cost Estimate.
• The OHV Trail Park is estimated to produce annual sales revenues of $534,090.00. Estimated
expenses total $411,284.00. This leaves a net estimated profit of $122,806.00.when the park
is in full build out and operations. This amount estimates users at various percentages and
participation based on the month of the year. The Tellico example used in the Market Analysis
section estimated 10,000 users at Tellico OHV Park. This park had a tremendous economic
impact but did not have as many amenities proposed for the Southern Gulf Off Road Park in
Coalmont, TN.
• The OHV Trail park is estimated to sell 17,130 permits to OHV’s per year. This estimate does
not include spectators and individual users riding with OHV’s as passengers. These individuals
should also be assessed a fee as a user in the park.
• The Campground and Trail Head will generate $176,700.00 in camp site, RV site rentals and
pavilion rentals. This estimate does not include potential cabins and rental fees that can be
developed during the Master Plan process for the Campground and Trailhead.
• The total number of park users is determined by the carrying capacity of the OHV trail miles.
The Town of Coalmont and the business plan survey indicate a trail system of approximately 30
miles may be required.
• There is to be an estimated average of 6 OHV/ATV Users per mile of trail system which equals
94
Financial Plan
30 x 6 = 180 and .25% of that = 40 are to be considered inactive users. An inactive user is an
OHV that is not in motion or actively riding the trail system. Including inactive users gives a
total count of 225 OHV/ATV’s are used for estimating revenue generation.
• Out of the 225 OHV/ATV Riders there is an estimated .25% of additional users on the trail
system that are not riders = 55 non-riders. This places the total users in the park at 275
• The total users in the park is used to determine a number for estimating campsites along with
precedent examples and the proposed acreage size for the trail head. With 275 users and 5
persons per site that would indicate the need for a total of 55 campsites.
General costs for discussion for components of the Campground and Trailhead are:
1) Campsites 55 x $8,000.00 = $440,000.00
2) Playground 1 x 50,000.00 = $60,000.00
3) Event Area / Mud Bog 1 x $200,000.00= $200,000.00
4) Washing Station 1 x $250,000.00 = $250,000.00
5) Camp Store 1 x 2,500 sf. x 120.00 = $300,000.00
6) Pavilions 1 x 1,000 sf x $60.00 = $60,000.00
7) Gate House 1 x 100 sf. x $100.00 = $10,000.00
8) Restroom /Showers 1 x 500 sf. x $130.00 = $65,000.00
95
Financial Plan
Southern Gulf Off Road Park, OHV Trail System, Implementation Plan Cost Estimate
Unit:
Cost:
Total Cost:
Start-Up Tasks
Business Plan
1
$
47,000.00
$
47,000.00
Grant Applications
1
$
15,000.00
$
15,000.00
$
15,000.00
$
20,000.00
Environmental Permitting
Section Total: $
62,000.00
Property Acquisistion:
Trail Head
Legal & Financing Fees
Survey
160
0.05
0.05
ac
ea
ea
$
$
$
1,000.00 ac
160,000.00 ea
160,000.00 ea
$
$
$
160,000.00
8,000.00
8,000.00
Trail Park
Legal & Financing
Survey
2000
0.05
0.07
ac
ea
ea
$
$
$
600.00 ac
1,200,000.00 ea
1,200,000.00 ea
$
$
$
1,200,000.00
60,000.00
84,000.00
Trail Head Master Plan
1
ea
$
45,000.00 ea
$
45,000.00
Trail Park Master Plan
1
ea
$
75,000.00 ea
$
75,000.00
1
ea
$
2,800,000.00 ea
$
2,800,000.00
30
miles
$
$
225,000.00
$
4,747,000.00
Section Total: $
1,520,000.00
Master Planning and Site Concept
Section Total: $
120,000.00
Project Development & Construction
Opinion of Cost Cannot Be Fully Determined Until Completion of Masterplan
Trail Head & Campground
may include one or more of the following items
Repair Shop
OHV Wash Area
Park Store
Welcome Center
Rental Storage Space
Rental Cabins
Playground
Restrooms /Showers
Pavilions
Hiking Trails
Water Crossings
Parking Area
Access & Campground Roads
Pump House and Water Main
Waste Water System
Electrical System
Lighting
RV Sites
Tent Sites
Primitive Camping Sites
Rock Crawl
Mud Bogs/Event Area
Trail Park Construction
7,500.00 mile
(Estimate ranges from $2,500.00 to $25,000.00 per mile)
Water Crossings
Motor Cross Track
ATV Trails
Motorcycle Trails
4x4 OHV Trails
Section Total: $
3,025,000.00
Total Project Cost:
Figure 6.1 - Implementation Plan Cost Estimate
Note: The Implementation Plan Cost Estimate and Cash Flow Projection are based on assumptions outlined in this document.
It is intended that the cost estimate and cash flow projection be used as a general assessment tool until the master plan and accompanying
Opinion of Probable Cost can be undertaken.
96
$
$
Other Rentals: Bikes, Canoes, ATV's, Etc.
32,032
(25,017)
-
300.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(43,369)
32,082
32,082
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
200.00
250.00
15,000.00
4,032.00
100.00
1,000.00
750.00
300.00
500.00
500.00
3,500.00
200.00
400.00
5,280.00
990.00
2,700.00
4,800.00
4,500.00
900.00
(35,061)
32,382
32,382
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
250.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 4,032.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$
750.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
600.00
7,040.00
1,320.00
3,600.00
6,400.00
6,000.00
1,200.00
$ 54,320.00
$ 28,160.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(35,061)
2,640
40%
April
$
$
$
$
$
$
(16,161)
35,420
35,420
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
350.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 6,720.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$ 1,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
(2,679.00) $ 19,259.00
$ 40,690.00
$ 21,120.00
$
$
$
$
$(11,287.00) $
$ 13,730.00
$ 7,040.00
$
$ 1,760.00
330.00
900.00
$
$
$
(43,369)
1,980
30%
March
1,650.00
4,500.00
8,000.00
7,500.00
1,500.00
1,200.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
6,625
36,764
36,764
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
350.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 8,064.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$ 1,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 43,389.00
$ 59,550.00
$ 35,200.00
$
8.800.00
$
$
$
$
$
(16,161)
3,300
50%
May
1,980.00
5,400.00
2,500.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
52,019
41,946
41,946
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
500.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 12,096.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$ 2,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 93,965.00
$ 87,340.00
$ 42,000.00
$
$ 10,560.00
$
$
$ 9,600.00
$ 13,500.00
$ 1,800.00
6,625
3,960
60%
June
1,980.00
5,400.00
2,500.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
97,413
41,946
41,946
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
500.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 12,096.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$ 2,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 139,359.00
$ 87,340.00
$ 42,000.00
$
$ 10,560.00
$
$
$ 9,600.00
$ 13,500.00
$ 1,800.00
52,019
3,960
60%
July
1,200.00
8,800.00
1,650.00
4,500.00
8,000.00
7,500.00
1,500.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
127,999
37,764
37,764
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
350.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 8,064.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$ 2,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 165,763.00
$ 68,350.00
$ 35,200.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
97,413
3,300
50%
August
600.00
7,040.00
1,320.00
3,600.00
6,400.00
6,000.00
1,200.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
145,555
36,764
36,764
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
350.00
250.00
$ 15,000.00
$ 8,064.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$ 1,000.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 182,319.00
$ 54,320.00
$ 28,160.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
127,999
2,640
40%
September
Figure 6.2 - Southern Gulf Off Road Park Cash Flow Projection
32,032
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
150.00
250.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
-
15,000.00
4,032.00
100.00
1,000.00
750.00
300.00
500.00
500.00
3,500.00
200.00
$ 7,015.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$ 7,015.00
-
$ 3,520.00
300.00
880.00
$
$
$ 1,600.00
$ 1,500.00
$
300.00
(25,017)
1,320
10%
February
Note: The Implementation Plan Cost Estimate and Cash Flow Projection are based on assumptions outlined in this document.
It is intended that the cost estimate and cash flow projection be used as a general assessment tool until the master plan and
accompanying Opinion of Probable Cost can be undertaken.
(q) Miscellaneous [Unspecified]
(r) Subtotal
(s) Loan Principal Payment
(t) Capital Purchases [Specify]
(u) Other Start-up Costs
(v) Reserve and/or Escrow [Specify]
(w) Owner's Withdrawal
6. TOTAL CASH PAID OUT
[Total 5a thru 5w]
7. CASH POSITION
[End of month] (4 minus 6)
5. CASH PAID OUT
(a) Full Time Staff (3 persons $5,000.00 each, full benefits)
(b) Part Time Staff ($1,344.00 per person)
(c) Wash Station
(d) Outside Services & Contracts
In House Repairs
(e) Supplies (Office and operating)
(f) Repairs and Maintenance
(g) Advertising
(h) Vehicles & Equipment
(i) Accounting and Legal
(j) Rent
(k) Telephone & Additional Communications
(l) Utilities
(m) Insurance
(n) Trash Removal
Water & Sewer
Misc. Expense
(o) Interest Expense (20 Yr)
(p) Capital Amorization (20 Yr)
(b) Collections from Credit Accounts
(c) Loan or Other Cash Injection
3. TOTAL CASH RECEIPTS
[2a + 2b + 2c=3]
4. TOTAL CASH AVAILABLE
[Before cash out] (1 + 3)
OHV User Pass 1 x 220 (users) x 20(days) x 16.00 = $70,400.00
$
Concessions / Park Store 1 x 220 (users) x 20(days) x .50% x
$8.00 = $17,600.00
165.00
450.00
$
Pavilion Rentals 3 x 150.00 x 20 =$9,000.00
OHV Wash Area 1 x 220 (users) x 20 (days) x .25% = x 3.00 =
$3,300.00
-
660
5%
January
800.00
750.00
150.00
Pre-Startup
$
$
$
Sample Monthly Cash Flow Projection
Southern Gulf Off Road Park Trail Users
30 Miles of OHV Trails can carry 220 OHV's
275 Users in Campground / 5 = 55 sites
1. CASH ON HAND
[Beginning of month]
2. CASH RECEIPTS
(a) Cash Sales
RV Sites 20 (sites) x $40.00 x 20(days) = $16,000.00
Tent Sites 25 (sites) x $30.00 x 20 (days) = $15,000.00
Primitive Sites 10 (sites) x $15.00 x 20 = $3,000.00
400.00
5,280.00
990.00
2,700.00
4,800.00
4,500.00
900.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
156,175
30,070
30,070
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
250.00
250.00
$ 10,000.00
$ 6,720.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$
750.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 186,245.00
$ 40,690.00
$ 21,120.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
145,555
1,980
30%
October
7,040.00
300.00
1,760.00
330.00
900.00
1,600.00
1,500.00
300.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
142,823
27,082
27,082
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
200.00
250.00
$ 10,000.00
$ 4,032.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$
500.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 169,905.00
$ 13,730.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
156,175
1,320
10%
November
7,015.00
3,520.00
300.00
880.00
165.00
450.00
800.00
750.00
150.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
122,806
27,032
27,032
1,000.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
1,000.00
150.00
250.00
$ 10,000.00
$ 4,032.00
$
100.00
$ 1,000.00
$
750.00
$
300.00
$
500.00
$
500.00
$ 3,500.00
$
200.00
$ 149,838.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
142,823
660
5%
December
10,600.00
59,840.00
12,870.00
35,100.00
62,400.00
67,500.00
11,700.00
-
$ 411,284.00
$ 411,284.00
-
165,000
81,984
1,200
12,000
9,000
3,600
6,000
12,500
42,000
2,400
12,000
15,000
30,000
12,000
3,600
3,000
-
$ 534,090.00
$
$
$ 274,080.00
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
TOTAL
Financial Plan
97
Busine ss Plan
C i ty o f C oa l m o n t, Te n n e s s e e
Appendix
G
City of Coalmont, P.O. Box 308, Coalmont, Tennessee 37313
[email protected]
Appendix
TITLE 70: WILDLIFE RESOURCES
CHAPTER 9: TENNESSEE OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ACT
70-9-101. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Tennessee Off-Highway Vehicle Act".
70-9-102. Legislative intent.
Tennessee Off-Highway Vehicle Act
The number of off-highway vehicle users in the state is increasing and is growing as a recognized
recreational activity while the number of recreational sites is rapidly declining. In the absence of a
program to manage off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, a number of consequences are accruing to the
state, including environmental damage and loss of economic prospects. Therefore, the general
assembly finds the need to manage OHVs to maximize economic and recreational opportunities, to
protect the environment of this state, and to ensure that adequate revenue is generated for such
purpose.
70-9-103. Chapter definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Agency" means the Tennessee wildlife resources agency;
(2) "Commission" means the Tennessee wildlife resources commission;
(3) "Director" means the executive director of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency, the
director's duly authorized representative, and, in the event of the director's absence or a vacancy in
the office of director, the assistant director of the Tennessee wildlife resources agency;
(4) "Off-highway vehicle" or "OHV" means any off-road motorcycles, three or four-wheel allterrain vehicles or dune buggies; and
(5) "Owner" means the person in whose name the OHV is owned.
(6) "Seller" means a person permitted to engage in the business of selling, offering to sell, soliciting
or advertising the sale of either off-road motorcycles, three or four-wheel all-terrain vehicles or dune
buggies, or any of these vehicles;
101
Appendix
70-9-104. Authority of director.
The director is authorized to:
(1) Establish and implement an off-highway vehicle program;
(2) In cooperation with sellers and governmental agencies, develop a voluntary off-highway vehicle
education program for existing and potential owners and users;
(3) Develop guidelines on the proper land selection criteria, trail design and maintenance, and best
management practices for all lands used for off-highway user purposes. In this connection, the
director is authorized to develop public lands and manage for specific uses those public lands;
(4) Study, analyze, and document the impacts of off-highway motor vehicles on surrounding habitat,
including habitat loss, resource damage, noise, and vehicle emissions;
(5) Acquire lands, through purchase or lease, for off-highway motor vehicle use. The director is
encouraged to use property which is currently owned or leased by the state and which is appropriate
for off-highway vehicle use before acquiring lands from private landowners. OHV use shall be
expressly prohibited in Tennessee wildlife resources agency (TWRA) wildlife management areas or
refuges used solely for hunting, fishing or other TWRA-related activities, state forests, state parks
and state natural areas unless such area has been expressly approved for such use on or before May
10, 2004, except that OHV users may be allowed to access such areas if specified by rule and
regulation;
(6) Develop and maintain a list of areas within the state that allow the use of off-highway motor
vehicles;
(7) Enter into partnerships, contracts, and other management agreements with state, federal, and
local governments and with private landowners to effectuate the purposes of this chapter;
(8) Make inspections and investigations, conduct studies and research, or take such other action as
may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, and rules and regulations promulgated
pursuant to § 70-9-105; and
(9) Exercise general supervision over the administration and enforcement of this chapter and all
rules and regulations promulgated under § 70-9-105.
102
Appendix
70-9-105. Rules and regulations.
The commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the following purposes:
(1) To set, through rules and regulations, rider fees as established in this chapter;
(2) To establish safety requirements for riders on publicly owned or leased lands. Riders under
eighteen (18) years of age shall, at a minimum, wear a helmet; and
(3) To promulgate any other rules and regulations deemed reasonable and necessary to effectuate
the purposes of this chapter. Such rules and regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the
Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
70-9-106. Use of funds received by the agency.
(a) The funds received by the Tennessee wildlife resources agency under this chapter shall be used
exclusively for the purpose of funding the operation and management of the off-highway motor
vehicle program authorized under this chapter. The director may use funds collected under this
chapter to acquire by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or lease, the fee or any lesser interest in
land, development right, easement, covenant, or other contractual right necessary to achieve the
purposes of this chapter.
(b) It is the intent of the general assembly that the off-highway vehicle program be self-funded. Use
of any existing or future agency resources, revenues, or funding not derived by or through the OHV
program, to administer or enforce this program shall constitute a diversion of funds under § 70-1401. Any future federal funds received for OHV or motorized trails shall be credited to the agency
for use to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.
70-9-107. Penalties -- Enforcement.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), a violation of any provision of this chapter is a Class B
misdemeanor. A parent or guardian who knowingly permits a minor to operate an off-highway
vehicle in violation of this chapter commits a Class B misdemeanor. A person who commits a
second or subsequent offense commits a Class B misdemeanor with a mandatory fine of two
hundred fifty dollars ($250).
(b) For any conviction of violation of a provision of this chapter, the court may order restitution for
damages caused by the violator, or the court may order the violator to restore the property to a state
comparable to its original undamaged state. Any restitution ordered shall be paid to the landowner
or to the agency if the land on which the offense occurred was owned, leased, licensed to, or in
some manner under agency control. Agency control includes, but is not limited to, control through
any type of agreement or understanding with any private or governmental entity permitting land to
103
Appendix
be used in connection with the OHV program.
(c) In connection with an arrest for a violation of this chapter, the OHV may be seized and
impounded in compliance with § 40-33-101 et seq.
(d) It is unlawful for any person to ride an off-highway motor vehicle upon the land of another
without having first obtained the permission or approval of the owners of the land or of the person
or persons in charge of the land who have authority from the owner to give such permission. A
violation of this subsection (d) is a Class C misdemeanor, subject to a fine only of fifty dollars
($50.00). Each day's violation of this subsection (d) shall be considered a separate offense; provided,
that, in lieu of a fine pursuant to this subsection (d), if land is damaged, a court may order the
violator to pay restitution to the landowner or to restore the property to a state comparable to its
original undamaged state.
(e) The provisions of this chapter are enforceable and may be prosecuted by all law enforcement
officers, including police officers, sheriffs, agency officers, and other peace officers charged with the
enforcement of the laws of this state. The primary responsibility for the enforcement and
prosecution of this chapter on private lands and on lands under local governmental ownership or
control is with local law enforcement officers. The primary responsibility for the enforcement and
prosecution of this chapter on public lands not under local governmental ownership or control is
with state law enforcement officers, including wildlife resources officers. It is not the legislative
intent that the agency enforce trespass laws on private property unless the property is under state
control.
104
Appendix
CITY OF COALMONT
SOUTHERN GULF OFF ROAD PARK BOARD BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. NAME
A. This Board is known as the Southern Gulf Off Road Park Board hereinafter referred to as the
"Park Board".
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
A. Oversee and manage all aspects of the Southern Gulf Off Road Park's development, operation,
maintenance, economic growth, environmental compliance, and financial management to ensure the
Park's success as an economic stimulant to the community and its sustainability through its own
generated revenue.
B. Serve as a liaison between the Coalmont City Council and the citizens of the City.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
A. The Park Board shall consist of five (9) voting members appointed by the Coalmont City Council
from the area at large. Each member shall have one (1) vote. One (1) alternate may also be
appointed and would be entitled to vote only in the absence of a regular member.
B. The Mayor shall serve the duration of his/her elected term on the Park Board and be entitled to
one vote but cannot hold an Officer title on the Park Board.
C. A Councilman shall be appointed to the Park Board but cannot hold an Officer title on the Park
Board.
D. A City Employee, such as the police or fire chief, shall be appointed to the Park Board.
E. Three (3) Park Board memberships shall be reserved for representatives for Off-Highway Vehicle
(OHV) club members from organized clubs in the region. It is important that these individuals
reside close enough to attend monthly scheduled meetings.
F. The three (3) remaining Park Board memberships shall be filled by the general public and should
include OHV retailers and owners of Park impacted businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and gas
stations.
G. All members, except the Mayor, shall serve five (5) year terms which shall conclude on December
31st of their third year. Terms of office shall be staggered in such a manner that at least one (1)
expires annually. Vacancies shall be filled by the Coalmont City Council in like manner as original
105
Appendix
appointments except the term of office is restricted to the un-expired term of the member being
replaced.
H. The Coalmont City Council may, at the recommendation of the Park Board, remove any member
for misconduct and neglect of duty.
I. If any member is absent from three consecutive Park Board meetings, they may be removed from
the Park Board by the City Council and a replacement appointed.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
A. The Officers of this Park Board shall be a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. The
Officers shall be elected at the organizational meeting in January to serve for one year or until a
successor shall be elected. Vacancies in office shall be filled by special election.
B. President. The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint committees, and call special
meetings when he/she deems it advisable.
C. Vice President. The Vice President in the absence of the President shall perform all the duties of
the President.
D. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall keep a true and permanent record of all funds both collected and
dispersed.
E. Secretary. The Secretary shall perform the usual duties of the office and shall keep a full and true
permanent record of all meetings of the Board, both regular and special meetings.
ARTICLE V. MEETINGS
A. Regular meetings shall be held the second Tuesday of each month unless otherwise agreed upon
by the Board. If the Park Board does not have new or old business listed on the monthly agenda to
take action on, the Park Board may cancel the regularly scheduled monthly meeting. However, the
Park Board cannot cancel two consecutive monthly meetings due to "no business".
B. All regular meetings are to be held at City Hall.
C. The meetings shall convene at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise agreed.
D. Five (5) voting members shall constitute a quorum at any regular or special meeting.
E. All meetings are open to the public.
F. Applications/written requests for consideration and discussion by the Park Board should be
submitted to the Park Board two weeks prior to the regularly scheduled meeting.
G. The following shall be the order of business;
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a. Call meeting to order
b. Reading of the Minutes of prior Meeting
c. Attend to any Old Business
d. Attend to any New Business
e. Reading of any Correspondence
f. Board Member Comments
g. Public Comments
h. Adjournment
ARTICLE VI. GOALS & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD
A. Plan and conduct the Calendar of Events for the current year.
B. Prepare an Annual Park Progress Report and present it to the Coalmont City Council
demonstrating the annual Park Budget, revenues, expenditures, and profits. In addition the report
should also identify all marketing/promotional efforts by the Park Board and their associated
economic impact. The Report should also document all environmental permits/ correspondence
associated with any new trail construction or maintenance to demonstrate ongoing environmental
compliance with state and federal regulations.
C. Keep the Coalmont City Council and City Staff informed and updated on all scheduled and
planned Park events so that they can answer questions directed to the City by the citizens and media.
D. Keep the Coalmont City Council and City Staff informed and updated on all scheduled and
planned Park events so that adequate public services can be prepared and provided.
E. Upon the conclusion of scheduled and planned events conducted at the Park, the Coalmont City
Council should be given a brief account of the event and notified of any important details that he or
she might be asked about by citizens or the media.
F. Coordinate all planned Park expenditures with the Coalmont City Council to be certain we remain
within our budget.
G. Notify the Coalmont City Council of all proposed Park changes (operational, financial, or
structural) prior to being acted upon.
H. All members, including Officers, are responsible for ensuring the Park's environmental
compliance through the implementation of Best Management Practices in trail construction and
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Appendix
maintenance and proposing and implementing adequate marketing and promotional strategies to
ensure the economic success and stability of the Park.
ARTICLE VII. AMENDMENTS
A. These by-laws may be amended by the membership at a meeting at which there is a quorum, held
after reasonable notice to the members of the Board and upon concurrence of the Coalmont City
Council.
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Appendix
CITY OF COALMONT
SOUTHERN GULF OFF ROAD PARK
MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS, AND PERSONNEL PLAN
(DRAFT OUTLINE)
ARTICLE I. NAME
Document /facility name
ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
Management, Operations, & Personnel Plan
Document/facility purpose
ARTICLE III. AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION
Facility owner and property boundary
ARTICLE IV. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
City Council
Park Board
Personnel
ARTICLE V. INVENTORY OF PARK FACILITIES
Trails System
Camping Facilities
Restrooms/ Showers/Office
Camp General Store
Welcome/ Permit Station
Parking Facilities
Repair Shop / OHV Wash Area
Signage
ARTICLE VI. PARK RULES AND REQUIREMNTS
Safety Rules
Trail Rules
109
Camping Facility Rules
Liability Waiver
Liability Insurance
Environmental Compliance
ARTICLE VII. INVENTORY OF EMPLOYEES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Park Manger
Park Ranger Patrol Officer
Sales Staff
Part-time/ Seasonal employees
Volunteer Clubs /Individuals
ARTICLE VIII. ANNUAL PARK MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Trail Maintenance , Repair, and Construction
Camping Facilities Maintenance, Repair, and Construction
Trailhead Maintenance, Repair, and Construction
Parking Facilities Maintenance, Repair, and Construction
Welcome/ Permit Station Maintenance, Repair, and Construction
Camp General Store Maintenance, Repair, and Construction
Repair Shop/ OHV Wash Area Maintenance, Repair, and Construction
Grounds-Keeping (Mowing, Brushing, and Waste Management)
ARTICLE IX. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
Vendors
Special Events
Logo/Branding
Merchandising
Day, Weekend, and Annual Permit Decals and Wristbands
Brochures and Maps
Abandoned Property, Vehicles, and OHVs
Misconduct, Violations, and Park Citations
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Appendix
ARTICLE X. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
Financial Management Responsibility
Fee Schedule for Day, Weekend, and Annual Permits
Projected Park Revenue Sources
Projected Park Expenditure Sources
Other Funding Options
Financial Reporting
ATTACHMENTS:
Liability Waiver
Memorandum of Agreement for Volunteer Workers
Application for Employment
Vendors Rules and Agreement
Violation Notice
111
Division of Water Pollution Control
112
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Appendix
Division of Water Pollution Control
113
Appendix
p.O. Box 308
CITY OF COALMONT, TENNESSEE
Coalmont, TN 37313
(931)779-3654
November 9, 2011
Mr. Bill Avant
TDEC Recreation Educational Services
401 Church Street
10th Floor, L & C Tower
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0439
Categorical Exclusion Letter of Intent
RE: City of Coalmont FY 2011 Recreation Trails Program OHV Project – Categorical Exclusion
Letter of Intent
Dear Mr. Avant:
The City of Coalmont, Tennessee has received all necessary Categorical Exclusion response letters from
the State’s respective agencies. Several items from a few agencies in regards to Coalmont’s Off Highway
Vehicle (OHV) Project were brought to our attention before we can proceed with any construction of
trailhead facilities or redevelopment of existing recreational motorized trails. The items noted include
the following:
1. The Natural Heritage Division noted that a biological survey had not been completed in the
proposed project area and they did not know if rare species would be adversely affected. They
required, once the property was acquired, a biological survey be completed before proceeding
with construction.
2. A letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) indicated that the federally threatened
Price’s potato-bean (Apios priceana) and the white fringeless orchid (Platanthera integrilabia)
are located within close proximity to the proposed project area. In addition, the proposed project
area is a potential summer home for the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). It was recommended by
USFWS that a qualified biologist assess the impacts of the above mentioned federally listed
species to determine if they will be adversely affected.
3. The Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC) noted that the proposed project activities that
will take place for the OHV Project may have an adverse effect on soils, vegetation, water
resources, and overall watershed function. WPC requires that the City of Coalmont uses best
practices management for the redevelopment of existing trails that exhibits environmental
stewardship. Upon acquisition of the property and before any construction occurs, WPC
required that the City of Coalmont obtain all necessary permits, develop a storm water pollution
prevention plan, and follow closely all terms and conditions of permits required by the WPC
division.
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The City of Coalmont, TN intends to have all necessary biological surveys completed and all necessary
permits obtained upon the acquisition of the property and before any construction takes place at the
project area. In addition, all best practices management will take place, all permit guidelines will be
followed, and a storm water pollution prevention plan will be completed.
If you have any questions, you may contact me by telephone at (931) 235-9405 or by electronic mail at
[email protected] if you need additional information about our project
Sincerely,
Aron May
Mayor
Categorical Exclusion Letter of Intent
Cc: Gerald Parish, Director, Recreation Services Division
Bob Richards, Greenways and Trails Coordinator
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Appendix
STONY LONESOME OHV PARK
OWNED AND OPERATED BY CULLMAN COUNTY
ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
Release of Liability & Indemnity Agreement
In exchange for being allowed on property of Cullman County hereby referred to as Stony Lonesome OHV
Park, including parking, trails, woods, lake (Property), for recreation including riding ATVs, motorcycles and other
vehicles, camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, nature study, sightseeing, horseback riding, participating in ATV training,
and spectating (Activities), I and any minors in my care and/or custody and anyone who might sue on my behalf,
(collectively, Releasors) (1) will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Stony Lonesome OHV Park, its employees,
representatives, or affiliated persons/entities (Releasees), from and against any and all known or unknown, now or in the
future, claims, damages, actions, causes of action, or suits, for death, personal injury, disability and/or property damage,
fees (including attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses incurred by Releasees) regarding any such claims, or expenses
(including without limit medical expenses) on the part of any person relating to the use of or presence on the Property by
Releasors (Claims) relating in any was to: (i) my/our actions or inactions, (ii) my/our breach or failure to abide by any part
of this agreement; or (iii) any other harm caused by me/us; and (2)release and discharge Releasees from and against
Claims, even if such are due to Releasees’ negligence (except willful or wanton negligence or misconduct); Releasees
shall not be liable for Claims and Releasors waive any right to sue Releasees for such.
We are physically fit, have sufficiently trained for such Activities, are experienced in safely engaging in
Activities, have safe equipment, will use appropriate safety gear including helmets at all times while operating vehicles
and have not been advised against such Activities by a health professional. We know: there are obvious and hidden risks
and dangers on any property of this type and on this Property; weather, erosion, vegetation and vehicles constantly
change the conditions and dangers on the property; sometimes other patrons may violate the strict safety rules of
Releasees; some Activities may cause death, serious injury, and property loss; and Releasees may not have liability
insurance. We expect wrond way riders, pedestrians and other hazards. We voluntarily assume all such risks. If we are
on unfamiliar terrain we will go slower and more carefully than normal and inspect the terrain very carefully. If I believe an
area is unsafe I will immediately advise Stony Lonesome OHV Park Staff (Releasees). I am solely responsible for
selecting the trail that best suits my experience and ability; and under no circumstance will I leave a marked trail. If the
participant in Activities is a minor, both the minor participant and his or her parent or legal guardian further certify,
covenant and warrant that: the parent or legal guardian signing below is the legal parent or legal guardian of the minor;
has legal custody of the minor; has the legal right to act on behalf of the minor; has legal authority to enter into the
Agreement and bind the minor to its terms; the parent or legal guardian is signing individually and on behalf of the minor;
and the parent or legal guardian and the minor both agree to the terms hereof.
My signature on this agreement is relied on by Releases to allow me and any minors in my care and/or custody
to engage in Activities on the Property. This agreement is intended to be as broad as Alabama laws allow. If any part is
invalid, the rest shall stand. This agreement shall be continuing and shall apply to the use of the Property by me and any
minors in my care and/or custody on this date and on any future date.
I have read and fully understand this Assumption of Risk, Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement
and agree to be bound by its terms. I understand that by signing this Agreement I am waiving significant legal
rights, including the right to assert claims against, sue or recover from Cullman County, Stony Lonesome OHV
Park and the Released Parties. I have been provided with a list of rules and regulations which I understand and
agree to abide by. I sign this agreement freely and willingly.
This assumption of risk, release of liability and indemnity agreement is in effect from date of signing
and continues in effect for one year from date of signing for all future activities within Stony
Lonesome OHV Park.
Adult Information:
Print Participant Name: __________________________________________________________ Participant Age: ______
Participant Signature: x__________________________________________________________ Date: ______________
Parent/Legal Guardian of Minor Information:
Print Minor Participant Name: _____________________________________________________ Minor’s Age: ________
Print Parent/Legal Guardian Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian’s Signature if Participant is a Minor: X________________________________________________
I affirm I am the legal Parent/Legal Guardian of Minor: X________________________________ Date: ______________
A signed copy of this waiver must be turned in at the front gate before entering the park.
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Appendix
HALE MOUNTAIN OHV PARK
ASSUMPTION OF RISK, WAIVER AND RELEASE
READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING
The undersigned desires to enter upon the Hale Mountain OHV Park (the “OHV Park”) to ride an off-road vehicle: and understands that parts of
the park may be under construction or maintenance and that there may be vehicles and construction equipment in operation on the OHV park:
and realizes that owners, employees and/or agents are not instructors or trainers. The undersigned understands and realizes that the activity
can be dangerous with inherent risks, dangers and hazards and that injuries, illness or death can result including, but not limited to bodily
injury, disease, strains, fractures, partial and/or total paralysis, death or other ailments that could cause serious disability. These risks and
dangers may be caused by the negligence of the owners, employees or agents of the OHV Park, by the negligence of the participants, the
negligence of others, accidents, breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes. Further, the undersigned understands and realizes
that the OHV Park may contain unknown or hidden dangers, including, but not limited to, protruding rocks, stumps, loose soil, trees and limbs
in or near the trails, ruts, standing water, mud, snakes and other natural and manmade obstacles, and understands that he/she should obtain
prior training and proper education in the operation of any vehicle he/she will be operating. In consideration of furnishing the OHV Park, the
undersigned hereby assumes all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any losses and/or damages to their person and/or their vehicle and/
or any other personal property, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the owners, employees, or agents of
the OHV Park.
The undersigned, on behalf of himself/herself, personal representatives and heirs hereby waives and fully and forever releases and discharges
the owners, as a whole or individually, and all their employees and agents from any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action, or
causes of action, losses for bodily injury, property damage, wrongful death, loss of services or otherwise present or future, whether the same
be known, anticipated or unanticipated, resulting from or arising out of, or incident to, the undersigned while on or about the OHV Park, in
preparing to enter the OHV Park, in preparing to participate in any activity in the OHV Park.
Participant agrees to abide by the following rules and regulations:
LAND USE: Participants must wear wristband at all times for identification. Participant must stop if signaled by Park personnel. Participant
agrees to respect land and property of others.
HELMETS: OHV Park requires following DOT and ATV manufacturers guidelines.
ATV RESTRICTIONS: OHV Park recommends following manufacturers guidelines.
MINORS: Ages 19 and under must have a parent or legal guardian sign a waiver to ride and parent be on site at all times.
TRAILS: Ride cautiously and safely at all times. Stay on marked trails and obey all signs, gates, fences, barriers and posted signs.
ALCOHOL/DRUGS: The possession and consumption of alcohol or use of any drugs is strictly prohibited at all times in the OHV Park.
FIREARMS/FIREWORKS: The possession of firearms/fireworks is strictly prohibited at all times in the OHV Park.
FIRES: No fires except in designated fire pits constructed by the OHV Park.
DAMAGE, LOSS, THEFT, INJURY: OHV Park is neither liable nor responsible for damage, loss, or theft of personal property or for the injury to
participant and/or visitors.
LITTER: Users are expected to use trash receptacles or to remove any trash they bring. Violators will be prosecuted.
OHV’S: OHV’s must have properly functioning spark arresters and mufflers.
OTHER RIDERS: Be considerate of other riders while riding trails and report any unauthorized or illegal behavior observed.
VIOLATIONS: Violators of any of the rules and regulations may result in suspension from the OHV Park.
PENALTIES: OHV Park may exact any penalties allowed by law.
PUBLICITY: OHV Park is authorized to use your name, photos of you and/or your vehicle for the publicity, advertisement, endorsements,
magazine articles or as deemed appropriate for off road vehicle riding.
If any part of this release is invalid for any reason such shall not impair the remainder of this release.
PLEASE BE SAFE AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TRAILS AND THEIR DIFFICULTY BEFORE RIDING
I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE AND BY SIGNING IT AGREE AND IT IS MY INTENTION TO EXEMPT AND RELIEVE HALE
MOUNTAIN OHV PARK FROM LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR WRONGFUL DEATH CAUSED BY ANY CAUSE.
I have read and understand and sign the foregoing assumption of risk agreement, waiver and release this.
This waiver will expire 6/30/11.
DATE:___________________________________
Signature of Participant:
Printed Name of Participant:
Witness:
__________________________
___________________________
__________________________
Signature And Printed Name of Parent or Guardian (if less than 19 years):
_______________________________
_______________________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT:
NAME ________________________________________
Drivers License State & #
__________________________
PHONE#
_________________________
117

ATV Guest Resort
6307 Stinking Creek Road
Pioneer, Tennessee 37847

READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING
In consideration of being permitted to enter and use the property, equipment and/or facilities owned, leased to or operated by Ride
Royal Blue.com, LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the state of Tennessee, together with Sheila
Westray Enterprises, LLC., Ray Gibson, Wilma Gibson, Ride Royal Blue ATV Guest Resort, and its/their respective officers,
officials, agents, servants, employees, Guest Resort operator, any landowner, other guests, other visitors, owners, members,
promoters, sponsors, advertisers, owners and/or lessees of the Ride Royal Blue.com, LLC ATV Guest Resort premises, hereinafter
individually and collectively referred to as Releasees, for any and all purposes, including, but not limited to, following activities:
hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, dirt bike, motorcycle, ATV, or any other motorized vehicle engaged in trail riding, racing, or any
similar activity, horseback riding, swimming, or any and all other resort activities, of whatsoever tye or nature, whether such activity
engages equipment leased from the Releasee or owned by the participant, said participant, for himself/herself and for his/her personal
representatives, assigns, spouse, children, heirs, executors, administrators, and next of kin, or any other person or legal entities, as
applicable, hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as Releasor(s):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
118
Hereby releases, waivers, discharges and covenants to hold harmless and not to sue the Releasee(s) from any and all
liability to the Releasor(s), for any and all loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore on account of injury to the
person or property of, or resulting in the death of, the Releasor(s), whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or
otherwise while the Releasor(s) is/are in or upon the Ride Royal Blue.com LLC Guest Resort property, and/or riding,
competing, officiating in, observing, working for, or for any other purpose participating in any of the above referenced
activities in any form or fashion, whether supervised or unsupervised, and whether directly or in a peripheral activity,
and/or for the Participant’s mere presence on the property of Ride Royal Blue.com LLC ATV Guest Resort property
generally located at 6307 Stinking Creek Road, Pioneer, Tennessee 37847, in Campbell County, Tennessee consisting of
approximately 68 acres, more or less; and
Hereby releases and agrees to indemnify and save and hold harmless the Releasees, and each of them from any loss,
liability, damage, or cost they may incur due to the mere presence of the Releasor(s) upon or around the Ride Royal
Blue.com LLC ATV Guest Resort property; and
Hereby releases to indemnify and save and hold harmless the Releasees, together with any and all officials, Emergency
Medical Technicians (EMT’s), and professional personnel from any claims on account of the rendering of any first aid,
and/or any medical treatment or services. Releasor(s) herein authorizes the release of any and all medical records, incident
reports or other related documents of whatsoever type or nature, to the Releasees and/or to any other persons in the event
of property damage, injury or death, or otherwise, without limitations.
Releasor(s) assume full responsibility for any and all risk of bodily injury, death and/or property damages due to
the negligence of Releasees or any other persons and/or for any other cause whatsoever, while on the Ride Royal
Blue.com LLC ATV Guest Resort property. Releasor(s) acknowledges that such previously described activities are
inherently dangerous and that participation in such activities involves an assumption of risk that could result in damage to
property, serious disability, strains, fractures, partial and/or total paralysis, injury or death. Releasor(s) hereby knowingly
and voluntarily assume all such risks, and will hold Releasses entirely harmless thereof, without any limitations.
Releasor(s) voluntarily agrees to release, discharge and waive any and all claims or actions that he/she may have
presently or in the future have for any and all negligent acts or other conduct by the Releasees. Releasor(s) further
expressly agrees that this Release of Liability and Waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws
of the State of Tennessee and that if any portion of this Release of Liability and Waiver is held invalid, it is agreed that the
remainder shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. The sole and exclusive venue of any court action
dispute that may arise out of this agreement, or otherwise between the parties to which the Releasees are a party shall be in
the courts in Campbell County, Tennessee, and such actions shall not be filed in any other courts or in any other venue.
Releasor(s) states that this Release and Waiver of Liability has been read in its entirety and that he/she knows and fully
understands the contents of same and signs this Release and Waiver of Liability as his/her own free and willful act. This
Release and Waiver of Liability constitutes the entire agreement between Releasee(s) and Releasor(s) and the terms of
such are contractural and not a mere recitals. Releasor(s) understands that Releasor(s) is not covered by any insurance
policy held by Releasee(s) for any damages to property, injury or death.
If applicable, the Releasor(s) hereby certify that they are the legal custodian and guardian of any minor child(ren) for
whom they are including in this Release and Waiver of Liability, and that they are authorized to execute this Release and
Waiver of Liability on behalf of said minor child(ren). Releasor(s) further agree that they shall be liable for any and all
damages to Releasee(s) property and any or injuries to staff or any other persons caused by Releasor(s) non-negligence,
negligence or willful, wanton, or intentional act(s).
The use of masculine and feminine and neuter promouns herein and the use of the singular and plural shall all be
interpreted as appropriate to the circumstances and content set forth above, as applicable.
Appendix
Appendix
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT I/WE HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND, AND
ACCEPT THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS STATED IN THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, and
further agree that no oral representations, statements, or inducements apart from terms and provisions the
foregoing written Release and Waiver of Liability have been made.
ALL PERSONS AGED 18 AND OLDER MUST AFFIX HIS/HER LEGAL SIGNATURE
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(S) AND AGE(S) OF EACH PERSON TO PARTICIPATE:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
DATE: _____________________________
PRIMARY PARTY SIGNATURE:________________________________________________________
PRIMARY PARTY EMAIL:_____________________________________________________________
PRIMARY PARTY PHONE:________________________ CELL PHONE:______________________
SPOUSE SIGNATURE: _________________________________________________________________
PRINT NAME(S) and AGES of minors under 18:
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
119
Appendix
Pit Ridge / Indian Lake Poker Run Liability Waiver
Please read carefully
This RELEASE OF LIABILITY, VOLUNTARY ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK AND WAIVER OF CLAIM AGREEMENT (“Agreement”), is entered
into by and between ____________________________________(“Participant”), and the Pilot Rock OHV Board of Directors, volunteers or
sponsors of event, City of Pilot Rock, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (“CTUIR”) and any other person working in
some capacity for the purpose of operating or maintaining or organizing the Pilot Rock OHV Park/CTUIR event. As used in this agreement
the term “Participant” shall include the parent or legal guardian where the participant is under the age of 18.
WHEREAS, Participant recognizing that participation in a dangerous activity is a HAZARDOUS ACTIVITY which is inherently
dangerous, has voluntarily entered the event despite all known and unknown risks of serious personal injury and or death/damage to
vehicle presented by participation in the activity; and
WHEREAS, Participant understands that this agreement is a General Release barring Participant from bringing any claim for
personal injury and/or death and vehicle damage which is any way related to participating in the activity; and
WHEREAS, Participant knows his/her own capabilities and limitation regarding participation in the activity entered;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of being permitted to participate in the activity, Participant expressly and freely agrees as
follows:
TO ASSUME ALL RISK of serious vehicle damage, personal injury or death arising from practicing and/or participation in the activity.
To WAIVE any and all claims that Participant may in the future have against, the Pilot Rock OHV Board, City of Pilot Rock, CTUIR
and its officers, employees, agents, sponsors, shareholders, affiliated entities, volunteers, subsidiaries and all insurers for any loss, damage,
injury or expense that Participant may suffer, or that Participants next of kin may suffer, as a result of Participant’s participation in the
activity, due to any cause whatsoever, including but not limited to negligence on the part, the Pilot Rock OHV Board, City of Pilot Rock,
CTUIR and its officers, employees, agents, sponsors, shareholders, affiliated entities, volunteers, subsidiaries and all insurers and any entity
hired to perform any function with respect to the Pilot Rock OHV Park, Board, CTUIR, and all volunteers.
To RELEASE FROM LIABILITY AND HOLD HARMLESS, the Pilot Rock OHV Board, City of Pilot Rock, CTUIR and its officers, employees,
agents, sponsors, shareholders, affiliated entities, volunteers, subsidiaries and all insurers an any entity hired to perform any function with
respect to the Pilot Rock OHV Park, Boards and all volunteers for any and all loss, damage, injury or expense that Participant may suffer, or
that Participant’s next of kin may suffer, as a result of Participant’s practicing for and or participation in the activity, due to any cause
whatsoever, including buy not limited to negligence on the part of, the Pilot Rock OHV Board, City of Pilot Rock, CTUIR and its officers,
employees, agents, sponsors, shareholders, affiliated entities, volunteers, subsidiaries and all insurers and any entity hired to perform any
function with respect to the Pilot Rock OHV Park Board, CTUIR, and all volunteers.
PARTICIPANT agrees to abide by ATV laws of the State of Oregon.
PARTICIPANT agrees that any claim which he/she may at any time bring for any reason against Pilot Rock OHV Park, shall be
submitted to the jurisdiction of the State and Federal Courts in the State of Oregon and in no other jurisdiction. Participant agrees that any
claim that he/she may at any time bring for any reason against the CTUIR in connection with the Pit Ridge / Indian Lake Poker Run shall be
submitted to the jurisdiction of the Umatilla Tribal Court and in no other jurisdiction, and the participant hereby consents to the jurisdiction
of the Umatilla Tribal Court over any such claim or cause of action. Any claim brought shall be governed by the laws of the state in which
the claim arose, except that a claim against the CTUIR in the Umatilla Tribal Court shall be governed by the laws of the CTUIR.
I, the undersigned Participant having read and understood the terms of this Agreement, sign this Agreement freely and of my own
accord, realizing that it is binding upon me, my heirs, assigns, and next of kin.
Printed Name of Participant:_____________________________________________________________________________
Address & Phone #:____________________________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Name & Phone #:
Signature of Participant:____________________________________________________ Date:________________________
Participant’s Date of Birth:__________________________________________________
Printed Name & Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian (if participant is under 18 years of age):
______________________________________
Printed Name
___________________________________________ __
Signature of Parent/Guardian
_____________
Date
Rider #:________________________
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Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
How many miles, one way, do you typically travel for recreational OHV trail riding?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
2.8%
33
10-25 miles
6.6%
77
25-50 miles
13.7%
161
50-75 miles
14.5%
170
75-100 miles
19.0%
223
100 -250 miles
33.1%
388
250-500 miles
9.4%
110
Over 500 miles
0.9%
11
answered question
1,173
skipped question
88
1 of 1
121
Southern Gulf Off Road Park User Survey Results
Less than 10 miles
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
What is the maximum miles you are willing to drive for OHV trail riding?
122
Response
Response
Percent
Count
25-50 miles
2.9%
34
50-75 miles
2.6%
31
75-100 miles
9.5%
111
100 -250 miles
30.6%
359
250-500 miles
28.0%
328
Over 500 miles
26.4%
310
answered question
1,173
skipped question
88
1 of 1
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
List the three OHV trails/facilities where you ride most often:
Response
Count
1,055
1 of 1
1,055
skipped question
206
answered question
123
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
When traveling a long distance to an OHV trail park, do you do any of the following?
124
Response
Response
Percent
Count
Stay at a campground
71.8%
757
Stay at a hotel/motel
56.3%
593
Eat at local restaurants
86.0%
906
Shop at local retail businesses
65.7%
693
Purchase groceries
74.7%
787
Purchase gas
92.0%
970
Visit other local attractions
46.2%
487
answered question
1,054
skipped question
207
1 of 1
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
How much do you usually spend on a typical OHV trail riding event (including lodging, food,
gas, etc.)?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
1.5%
18
$50-99
5.9%
69
$100-149
10.4%
121
$150-199
11.3%
132
$200-299
22.8%
267
$300-399
17.4%
203
$400-499
11.3%
132
$500-749
13.7%
160
$750-999
2.5%
29
Over $1,000
3.3%
38
answered question
1,169
skipped question
92
1 of 1
125
Under $50
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Do you typically pay a fee to ride your OHV?
Response
Percent
Count
Yes
85.2%
990
No
14.8%
172
answered question
1,162
skipped question
99
126
Response
1 of 1
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
If you typically pay a daily fee to ride, how much is it?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
1.8%
19
$5-10
23.4%
244
$10-15
31.4%
327
$15-20
28.0%
292
$20-25
11.1%
116
$25 or more
4.3%
45
answered question
1,043
skipped question
218
1 of 1
127
Less than $5
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
If you typically pay an annual fee to ride, how much is it?
128
Response
Response
Percent
Count
Less than $50
34.0%
254
$50-75
25.5%
191
$75-100
21.8%
163
$100-150
10.7%
80
$150-200
4.4%
33
$200 or more
3.6%
27
answered question
748
skipped question
513
1 of 1
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Would you support an OHV park in Coalmont, TN with user fees for park maintenance,
operation, and amenities?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
98.8%
1,148
No
1.2%
14
answered question
1,162
skipped question
99
1 of 1
129
Yes
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Assuming the Coalmont, TN OHV park provided similar amenities and trails as other OHV
parks in the region, what type of daily user fee would you support?
130
Response
Response
Percent
Count
$5-10
18.9%
218
$10-15
31.6%
364
$15-20
29.6%
341
$20-25
16.4%
189
$25 or more
3.4%
39
answered question
1,151
skipped question
110
1 of 1
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Assuming the Coalmont, TN OHV park provided similar amenities and trails as other OHV
parks in the region, what type of annual user fee would you support?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
42.4%
437
$75-100
26.7%
275
$100-150
16.8%
173
$150-200
11.5%
118
$200 or more
2.6%
27
answered question
1,030
skipped question
231
1 of 1
131
$50-75
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Should the proposed Coalmont OHV park assign user fees/permits to individuals or offhighway vehicles?
Response
Percent
Count
Individuals
40.2%
461
Off Highway Vehicles
59.8%
685
answered question
1,146
skipped question
115
132
Response
1 of 1
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Coalmont OHV Park
What amenities would you like to see at the Coalmont OHV Park?
Response
Response
Percent
Count
84.3%
985
Mud bogs
30.2%
353
Water crossings
65.4%
764
Motocross tracks
19.5%
228
Hiking trails
31.5%
368
Canoeing/kayaking
26.9%
314
Hunting/fishing
20.0%
234
Picnic area/pavilion
63.3%
740
Restrooms with showers/lockers
85.8%
1,003
Primitive camping/rv hook-ups
85.7%
1,002
Rental cabins
66.3%
775
Rental storage space
8.6%
101
Welcome center/park store
53.9%
630
Other
8.6%
100
answered question
1,169
skipped question
92
1 of 1
133
Rock crawl
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Do you belong to an OHV club or organization and if so, which one?
Response
Count
855
134
1 of 1
answered question
855
skipped question
406
Appendix
Coalmont OHV Park
Other comments and suggestions:
Response
Count
381
1 of 1
381
skipped question
880
135
answered question
Appendix
Good Luck. Additional land to ride on is a great thing.
I hope this park opens up! We need another one bad!
Adding an OHV park in Coalmont is a wonderful Idea. TN is a wonderful state, the downside is the lack of
OHV parks. If Loretta Lynn’s Ranch closes, the rides such as myself will be without a park that is safe to ride.
Build it they will come
Would love to see an OHV park in Coalmont!
NEED T0 OPEN
I travel on a monthly basis to Tennessee to use my off highway vehicle. I have always enjoyed all the OHV
parks Tennessee has to offer. I will continue to travel to enjoy the OHV experience.
good luck
wheel hard with malt liquor
build it and they will come
Would like to see more OHVs in the SE. I am willing to travel to have good clean family fun.
i support all off road parks and would love more to open and would come ride for sure
Good luck and hope this happens. As more restrictions to off road riding happen parks like this will be what
kind the sport alive
Please make this happen!
hope this park goes throu
New to the OHV sport. It took me 4 years to find my vehicle, and now am looking forward to building and
enjoying it. Thank you for the opportunity. Have a BLESSED day.
DO WERK
Would LOVE to see another great park!
having a place to go would be great
Good luck hope your able to get things open
Please make this happen! Thanks
GOOD LUCK, WE NEED MORE CHOICES THANKS
Great survey, the state and government needs to know how much money the Off Road community spends
when wheeling and off roading. Thanks
Looking forward to park becoming a reality
I am glad to see areas opening up to OHV access
We need all the OHV parks we can get - regardless of distance traveled. Thank you for making this effort!
I hope we get a good OHV park soon. Our family will attend.
We now ride the pipelines and power line trails and would LOVE to see this happen!
I would love a legal place to ride so close to home. I really hope this becomes a reality.
i really hope everything works out and it get approved. offroad parks are stating to get few and far between
but it can really boost a small local town...look at what black mountain offroad has done for harlan ky!!!!!!
Really would like to see this trial open up I’ll be there
More places to ride, most off road drives also spend a lot of time and money on their rides which supports the
economy and jobs
Id really enjoy seeing another OHV in the southeast.
build and we will come
If you build it- they will come... very true with the rock crawling crowd.
Get r done! We need it!
will always welcome a new park, and if needed i will come help with the park,clean up, tree removal ????
Would love another park to ride!!!
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Please build this, offroad bussiness would help get it started
More parks the better. Good income for the community and good draw.
This would be a HUGE deal for the area and the State of Tennessee. Would be behind the idea 100% !!!!
I would gladly come if you open this park
Roll Tide
good luck
I hope this becomes reality. I’d love to have another place to wheel.
would love another OHV park in the area :)
Would like to see another park open up. We need more places to ride. I would support it as much as possible.
This sounds great!!
Would love to see some more offroad parks open!
We really need a park of this type in this area . It would add a lot of tax dollars for TN.
Good luck to a new park!
do it
Nice survey. Great idea.
Good Luck
would love to see another park in tn, its a great central location for all the SE states and we in the naxja community would work hard to promote a well run park in the SE
While from NZ, I have on several occasions driven OHV parks in Pennsylvania etc. along with 4 wheeling in
Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Virginia.
Were running out of legal land to enjoy our sport!!! Please do this!!
Please do this!!!
This would be great and would be a good source of revenue
Good Luck!
We need more land to wheel. So many are getting closed. It a shame
I think this would be a great location for a park and I would come out and support it.
Hope this works out. Ricky
Very interested in this OHV area
Get it Done!
I would really like to see something like this close to home. It would be GREAT!
I think that this area could really support a ohv park
I think this would be a great place to have. Closer to home is alway nice to have
Build it and they will come
We need another park in the Southeast!!!
Build it and we will come!
People come from all over the United States to ride our trails. Go for it.... you won’t be sorry. We have Fisher’s ATV World coming October 1st to do footage for the Outdoor Channel. This is part of his Keepin’ It Real
tour. Come join us and see what we have. OHV riding is a great FAMILY sport.
Looking forward to the new park
Please,please do this
Another relatively close OHV park is a great Idea!
ATV/ mountainbiking trails would also bring much more $$$
Anything like this I fully support. My family heads into TN every year for camping/vacation, and this would
definitely be added to our “to do” list.
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Hope & Pray that the OHV Community will band together to make this project a Reality.
Do it! Too much land for OHVs is dissappearing!
We really need a OHV Park
We need more trails keep up the good work towards that.Thks Protwist Racing
I would definately support this venture! Call any business owner in Tellico and ask them about the support
they lost when the local park there closed. Hope to see you there soon.
We need all the legal OHV areas we can get!
If you build it, they will come.... IN MASSES!!!!!
Think it would be great to have somewhere we could ride other than options out. I usually have to travel out
of State to ride somewhere different and spend those dollars in another State!
Build it and they will come! Good Luck
If you build it they will come.
I spend the majority of my weekends around the tims ford lake area and would love a place to ride that is
fairly close.
We in the offroad community need public lands or ORV parks to continue our hobby
Would love to see a new park open since so many are being closed down. I love this sport along with so many
others
Get ‘er done.
I ride with alot of local riders in the middle TN area. A new OHV park in the Coalmont area would definitely
become my “home” park that I would visit the most since in a reasonable travel distance from Murfreesboro.
I am excited about the possibility of this park and will pre-register for an annual pass if needed!
good luck
“If you build it they WILL come”
Just do it! If user-funded, it could be tax revenue neutral. Minimal supervision will ensure greatest success.
We have waited a long time just to have an OHV park seriously considered by businesses/government. Thank
you for the possibility of an OHV park in our area.
Good luck!!
We own 100 acres here in Iowa that we use for our own personal family riding in my buggy, trucks, fourwheelers, dirt bikes, bicycles, and even hiking. It brings our family together in those moments, and I will pray
that this opening will go well so other families will get that same opportunity. Best of luck!
Good luck!
Good luck! Hope to see you on the trails!
Traveling is long distances is the Norm due to my location, so its not out of the realm of possibilty that I
would drive down to this park. Add in that my company has offices in Nashville and Murfreesboro, it would
be nice to have some ‘local’ wheeling in the area when I’m down that way on business.
Hope this gets off the ground.
Open it quickly!
Thanks for asking
Go for it, it will work.
thank you for your efforts
Grundy County area is a great place to ride. Love to see the park in palce. I believe it would a great asset to
the local economy
pppplllllleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeee open up a park! they will come!!!
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TN has the most beautiful country mountains and forest areas that need to be opened up for the world to see.
The best way to see,enjoy and inspire people is to get more OHV parks to bring people in from other states.
This is the best way to show your state,city,and community that you live in. TAKE PRIDE IN TN,GO TRAIL
RIDING AND SEE WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER.
Please make this happen!!
Keep up the good work, we will support.
Lets ride :)
Looking forward to ‘wheeling in Coalmont!
you build it they will come
If you build it.....
i am all for it! Lets do it!
just do it ,if u build it they will come !!!!!!
Would be great to have different ride.
I really hope this happens! I love visiting tennessee.
Hope to be off roading in Coalmont in future.
good luck
I think an OHV park in Coalmont, TN would be great
Looking forward to a new riding area!
grundy county could really use more legal off road facilities so people dont end up tresspassing due to unmarked trails that they may take while trying to find their way out of the woods
I live between windrock and brimstone and it is a great place to open a ohv park wish some one would help
us get it done I been in a ohv club for several years now we been trying to get one open but fall short dew to
local gov.
I think the park in Coalmont would be a great idea. It would be nice to see more places support out sport
instead of bashing it with no real knowledge. Thank you for your hard work.
i would love to have another park to enjoy and hope this happens. thanks
Please build this park
We need more places in state to ride our OHV
Do this and they will come. There is already a large number of users local to this area. People that do this
type of thing are used to traveling and will come in from all over. Thanks for the survey.
Get-r-done
A OHV park in Coalmont would be an excellent idea. The area is underserved in terms of quality places to
ride.
Make it happen!
Let’s get it done!
It would be great to see more riding area’s open up.
Do it and they will come
I sure hope y’all open this park. We are always looking for a new place to ride
Any additional OHV park in the USA would be amazing
IIt will be great to see another OHV park close to us hope you get this going
Would be a great idea!
this is a great Idea DO IT
A Coalmont OHV Park is a very good idea that should be implemented
good luck!
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Appendix
Move it closer to MEMPHIS.. We ain’t got JACK on this end of the state..!!
we need more OHV parks in the southeast area to accomadate the growing number of OHV users
We need as many communities such as your to help provide and promote the sport. It is a win win situation
for both parties and I look forward to hearing more about the progress!
Another OHV in TN would be outstanding!
Git er done!
We need more places to ride.
there is a big need for this type of place!i would like to see more places like harlan ky.it has made a little poor
town into the economy again.it helps more than the ohv community,thanks for trying this idea,hope it works!
I think it is great that you are considering this. Having a free get together day if this happens can draw a great
crowd so that people can get a feel for your new facilities. Good Luck
I hope this gets done, we need more legal places to enjoy our hobby. Thanks
Build it and they will come!
Build it.
We need another good OHV park in this region since the closure of Tellico and the Natural Bridge area now
in danger of being closed!
I think an OHV park would be good for the comunity and the state as a whole
Do it!!! We need more public OHV options across the USA
Good luck, hope it happens!
i would love to see another ohv park open up on the east coast
This is a greta idea
If you build it, they will come!
An OHV park in Coalmont Tn would be fantastic...bringing much needed revenue and tourism into the area.
The area that this park is planning to use is one of the most popular areas in the Southeast.
Looking forward to the park being opened!!
i think you need to leave the gulf alone... thanks
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Appendix
15(e). Comments Regarding Permits and Costs
I would make it a minimum 3 day pass like Turkey bay ohv for 15 dollars per vehicle. most will not use all
3 days but you have the option if you want. As we tend to bring or families a per person fee would tend
to out price most families.
$30 a year would be the most annually I’d like to see.
Most park’s i’ve been too have a 25 dollar a day fee per rig, and normally a one time registratioin fee of 5
dollars. Additional riders are 5 dollars each, with free admission for the kiddies! I strongly recommend a
section where experienced driver’s can teach younger or new drivers offroad skills
Keep it as cheap as Uwharrie and Tellico used to be, and charge per vehicle. Love Windrock, but $18 per
person is steep and do not go there that often for that reason.
Have special group rates for Offroad shops to have customer rides
I love riding in TN and have been to Coal Creek many times, it is just too expensive/day need a good solution otherwise Harlan, KY it is
Discounts to people who help clear trials
Look at black mountain in harlyn Kentucky awesome place would die to have something like that closer
to home and when you say how much most places are ten per person in ohv per day kids ten and under
free as long as they are not driving
Just be reasonable on price and they should always come back!!!
Fee should be per VEHICLE not per person, like some OHV areas. All trails should be made wide enough
for Jeeps/Trucks/Buggies. Campground would be great revenue, and could charge a premium fee for the
convenience of it. (assuming there’s not another campground right near-by)
Annual permits available to purchase online.
I checked that the fee should be per OHV and also bunch of amenities as if this park also appeals to non
OHV people, it might help it’s ultimate success. However I do fear that if, for instance, the hiking becomes
really popular, hikers might insist that OHV trails be closed.
Use Harlan as you guide to planning a park. They do a great job of having everything you need for a resonable price. Keep your riding fees to the vehicle and not each passenger. This hurts Windrock for people
that include their families. Good luck
Annual fees of no more than $30-$35 a year is the most of our club will spend to ride somewhere. A good
deal of revenue comes with us when we ride from food to fuel.
the Harlan, Ky approach is a lot better than Windrock. We will drive extra 100 miles to Harlan because of
the fee structure. we take our grandkids a lot and the “ per vehicle” fee means a lot to us.
The price isn’t nearly as important as the cost going to the vehicle not the individual. Rock crawl being
the most appealing to me personally I also picked things that I thought would be realistic and attractive to
most in the area. I hope this OHV makes it!
Some of the fee questions might vary depending on how good the terrain is. I am very interested, maybe
an open house to check out the proposed property for enthusiasts would give added information.
Please keep fees affordable
Would be nice to have more places to ride. My survey was kind of off on prices as I mostly do 1 day trips
where there is no motel, etc. When going to TN I usually spend around $500 for everything for a long
weekend.
Don’t be too greedy if you want your park to suceed.
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Appendix
Black Mountain Ofroad Park in Harlan KY has a great pay system and is very reasonable. $20 for a month
pass and $30 for a year. That makes it worth the 300+ miles to get there. Keep it simple. Just clear out
some camping lots (primitive) and have a water source with bathrooms and showers. No need to go all
out. Wheelers don’t care too much about the amenities.
I would be willing to pay a daily use but not an annual fee due to the distance we would have to travel.
Please make the permits per vehicle and not per person. Thank you.
Most of my riding is done outside of OHV parks That have fees. Parks such aas Bell Ky have over 100 miles
of trails and it is FREE.
Watch your price on the fees. That is a killer for people like me who already drive from Atlanta. MY club
recently did a trip to Harlan, KY and their fee is $20 for a 31 day pass and something like $30-35 for a
yearly pass.
A park fee is a great thing to help support the park and keep motivated users. Because they are paying to
use the park, they are more likely to stay on established trails, follow park rules, and not litter. Having a
daily park rate option would be beneficial over just an annual membership like WE Rock in Chattanooga.
People who are interested in legal offroading are some of the best, most genuine out there. Having a local park is excellent for the economy of the town and the users who will enjoy it.
At that distance from home, I would only attend 1-2 times per year, thus my reasoning for skipping the
annual fee
I know you gotta cover expenses,but keep cost low and you will have more riders willing to pay and not
trespassing.
I would support User fees of up to $25 If the park were sizable enough. If it is only a few hundred acres
in size then to me that would not be reasonable. For me to make the journey to Coalmont I would really
need to have enough trails to 2 days worth of wheeling, with at least 2 very difficult trails.
Although I am used to paying $25+/day, that is for the Northeast parks I usually visit. I have made a
couple trips to the area the park is proposed for and those other offroad parks (Coal Creek, Black Mountain, etc.) are substantially cheaper per day when purchasing a yearly or monthly pass.
Keep it affordable, for familys. Some parks charge per person. A family, rideing in one Jeep, can’t afford
that. Charge per vehicle, not number of passengers.
The way fees are assigned can make a huge difference to the user. Windrock charges per person, whereas
Royal Blue only requires 1 permit per vehicle. Whenever we have family or friends in and they want to
ride we invariably pick Royal Blue due to only needing vehicle permits. It seems a bit silly to me to charge
a passenger in a vehicle a fee when they are not contributing to any additional maintenance costs for the
park owners. Good luck on your venture, I hope to ride there soon. :)
I would be willing to pay fees similar to the Superlift OHV Park
club discounts on membership
Questions were vague as to the amenities in relation to fees. Obviously if lodging/showers/etc are available most would be use based fees. As a general day use fee <$20 is typical. Build it and they will come....
definitely applied here. Thanks !!!
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Appendix
15.(d). Comments Regarding Park Events, Help, and Club Support
we have a website and we pick parks in the southeast to have our events at the site is woodsbuggy.com
we hillclimb and have a huge amount of people in our sport we all ride rail buggies/dune buggies and we
always looking for new parks to ride and have our events
allow night rides and hold organized events. hillclimbs,poker runs,buggy days,atv days,etc.
Build it and we will come. Our club is always looking for a new palce to hold our annual event
Building an ORV park will encourage partonage of local business and the local economy. Once established
you may attract national events with large sponsors and coverage of your area. it is a win win situaiton!
Ill do anything i can to help - ill build trails for free - I have been riding around coalmont for 5 years - ill
even donate money to this cause . Just contact me for anything i can help with - jerry- 4234004110
Me and my fourwheeling friends are always readt to help support others with opening parks, and if we
can help with construction or anything we would be up for it. (WE ROCK on Aetna Mt.)
If y’all need the park mapped, I can map it. It’s what I specialize in, mapping 4wd parks. cartotracks@
gmail.com
member, TN Dept. of Conservation and Environment Commissioner’s Council on Greenways and Trails
(OHV rep for W TN) [http://www.tn.gov/environment/boards/gt/]
Would also participate in volunteer work days/ trail days to help out (SFWDA/UFWDA CumberlandOffroad BlueRibbonCoalition)
Please contact me if I can help (www.4x4grace.com www.nc4x4.com www.hardlinecrawlers.com)
Club sponsorship for Clarksville Crawlers...we can advertise for you at our events. Email me [email protected]
Good luck with the park. If you need any input or suggestions you can contact us at woodsbuggy.com.
Pirate 4x4
We would love to see another park open,as we are always looking for new parks to hold our club runs.
Get local clubs to help build trails or host events
Having another park within 10 hrs of Michigan is a great option. Our club usually takes 1-2 weekly trips
each year. Last year was Harlan, Windrock the year before. We are planning a trip to Rousch Creek, PA for
this fall.
TN really needs this private parks are good but they can be gone tomarow. Ask your local clubs for help.
Get them involved and you will have loyal customers.
Several times a year most all of our members and their significant others travel to the Grundy county/
Coalmont area to meet with some of the locals for trail riding. In addition, our club participates in the
locals yearly “trail cleanup” in this area. When we visit this area; we all stay at local hotels, buy gasoline
at local stations, purchase parts from local Auto parts stores. In addition, we patronize local eateries and
grocery stores. I personally as well as my club members would thoroughly enjoy this area remaining open
and preserved for the purpose of off-roading. (Dixie Crawlers)
Thanks for taking the time to pursue opening a new public park. If there is any campaign to spread the
word via the web, please include www.southernjeeps.org. Im sure our members would be willing to make
a trip to visit your park. Good luck, your efforts are appreciated in the fight for OHV Land Use!
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Appendix
Souther Four Wheel Drive Association and other assiociations like it in the ATV community are ALWAYS
willing to pitch in for trail maintenance, creating new trails, trash cleanups, etc. to help keep the park
open and operating expenses down. These clubs and associations will hold events drawing in out of
town participants that help bring money to the local communities. Also, providing trails with all levels of
difficulty is important to maximize the interest from all groups and vehicle types. Be sure to include well
marked trails and maps
The club I’m a part of does travel out of state for different wheeling opportunities in the US. If this park
were large enough, we would consider a trip from CA just to wheel this park. (Esprit de four)
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Appendix
15(c). Comments Regarding Park Design, Amenities, and Rules
I click other for amenities, the reason would be for some type of repair shop/area.
play ground and riding area for kids
Public Grills, Paintball/AIrsoft Field
family trails
family oreninted
snack bar
Our entire group would GLADLY welcome the addition of a new off-road park with wide-ranging trail
types, obstacles, and vehicle types. We prefer as few “rules” as possible, not because we wish to be
unruly, but because we wish to maximize the off-road effect. We also appreciate GREAT and CLEAN/SAFE
facilities for the end of the day. Night riding is a bonus as is a self-use repair facility with basic repair tools
such as jack, welder, air, and electric power.
Having grown up in Tennessee, I am aware of the incredible wildness and natural beauty of this region. I
would gladly travel there at least twice a year to ride in a well planned park. I believe this kind of facility
can have a very positive effect on the area. I am sure that Tread Lightly principles will be observed.
145
Appendix
Daily fee. Local run, not USFS because they mess up everything they touch. Have a bulletin board of local
restaurants nearby because after a day of riding, we all stand around and are like, “OOOOHHHHH _____
food looks GOOD. Lets go NOM NOM there before we roll out.” I’m sure I’m not the only beer gut fatty
who will have this same thought process because after a day out in the woods, the sammich you made
out of scrap cheese and ham pales in comparison to a burger fresh off the grille with grease running
through the bun and onto the plate. Encourage a local person to open a self car wash nearby. Its pretty
much the same as installing a money printing machine. Lord knows I’ll use it to knock off the mud before
my tires wobble off on the 3 hour ride home. Look at the economy of Murphy, NC. Went to CRAP after
they closed Tellico. I’m working the “money” angle because yes, us off roaders will bring money in. We
love to blow our hard earned cash buying food, fuel, etc at wherever we go. That is how we do it. So we
get to have fun, you get local stimulus. BTW tell everyone to be nice, we will spend our money and get
the hell out soon enough. Oh and have local propane capable of filling up forklift style propane tanks,
then advertise it. TRUST ME its like printing money. Yes, some of our off road vehicles run off propane.
Yes, these guys are dumb enough to show up with empty tanks. Yes, they will spend all day looking for
a place to refill it. Have a LARGE parking area. People roll up in their Ford F350-giant-SOB with a 53 foot
trailer. Get about 10 of those and it takes up a little bit of space, so just plan for that. Pavement would be
amazing as well. Semi-isolated campsites would be awesome. Go look at USFS campsites near roads and
whatnot. Small area but plenty of space for a couple trucks, tents and a fire ring. That is all we ask for.
A little bit back in the woods so we can have our evening shenanigans without disturbing anyone else.
Also all you have to pay for is clearing it out and the fire ring. No tent pads or anything fancy. Bear proof
trash cans. Have LOTS OF THESE EVERYWHERE. We make a lot of trash, but we will pick up after ourselves. Please give us a place to put all of our trash. Otherwise it will end up on the side of the road. Lets
just be honest about what will really happen. I’d rather see trash in a trash can than all over the side of
Tennessee Mountains. No, I do not live in TN. Yes, I wish I did. You need at least 30 miles of trails. These
75 acre parks are cool for the first 2 months and then they just die out. But look at Uwharrie, Tellico and
Coal Creek. They have EXTENSIVE trails. People keep coming and coming every weekend. In contrast, the
small parks in Alabama and South Carolina, they struggle to stay open on the weekends, some have even
scaled back to certain weekends or special events. BAN ATVs!!! Those damn things do nothing but tear
up the land. Seriously, they do. Have a “ATV riders will be shot on site” sign and keep them out, neither
worth the time nor the effort of the damage done. On the flipside you get some park rangers in there
and get them all for being drunk without helmets. No, seriously, call up Uwharrie Park Ranger station and
ask them about ATV use. Ask about the damage they cause and problems caused by them. They’ve really
tightened down regulation in the last few years so ask how that is going. ATVs end up making ATV sized 5
foot deep holes in the middle of trails and they dismantle barriers and ride around in the woods wherever. They love making their own trails which as you know, is no bueno. I just don’t want ya’ll to come back
in 3 years saying “The off road community is damaging the land…blah blah blah” when actually the ATVs
are doing the damage. So it’ll save everyone the time and money by banning those people and saving
wear and tear on the trails. SILT TRAPS. Figure that out. If Trout Unlimited comes within 100 miles of this
new place the entire OHV community will flip their shit. We are all still very upset about Tellico, so plan
out your trails to work with the land and not “disturb the ecosystem” or whatever. LOCALLY RUN. USFS after a few years will shut it down because they are too lazy to keep it open. They’ve been doing this across
the US. Protect your investment, protect your tourist economy. Lastly, it needs to be autonomous. Going
back to Uwharrie and Tellico (I mean, they just work well), have an unmanned pay station and ADVERTISE THE PRICE on the internet so idiots like me can get the proper amount of cash beforehand. So yeah,
people just roll up, pay and then go play. Good to go. Having someone man the entrance all day, every
day is expensive and a problem. So just bypass that. I do apologize for my direct talk but I everything I’ve
provided is from direct experience in the off road community and working in the off road industry for
I think this would be a great idea. Having quality showers and bathrooms will really help draw in people
because the rest of the family will be comfortable.
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My typical offroading is done “near” home but I do trail to other locations at times. So far I have only
traveled near 300miles one way to an OHV park but am willing to travel farther if the time permits and
the trails are something I feel my rigs are capable of.
Make sure there are plenty of family friendly areas, not just big boy places.
Make sure things are family friendly
Group Facilities
hope this happens...we need more places that are organized and kept up along with shower and food...
most of all a new place to ride!!! thanks
Make it a park!
We prefer tent camping because it is much less damaging to the woods, and a lot quieter. I would like to
see some rides organized where on road more expensive type vehicles could participate, like hummers
and new jeeps, without the probability of damage to a car people owe money on. I think many people
with some very expensive four wheel drive cars and trucks with large deposable incomes would participate and enjoy themselves.
Car wash
I’m looking for a nice place to go ride and enjoy time with my friend. As much of an all inclusive place you
can make the better. I would like to be able to pull up on Friday evening rent a cabin and ride all weekend
and not have to leave the park for any thing until Sunday morning. I know I would need to bring my own
food to cook at night but a place to buy lunch would be great. Thanks for letting me have a chance at putting in my input on what has promise to be a great park.
Use the Ride Royal Blue model in Pioneer, TN (north of Knoxville). www.rideroyalblue.com
I WOULD ENJOY 4 WHEELING/CAMPING/TAKING CARE OF COALMONTS OHV PARK
Do it! We need you!
An “on site” campground with hook ups and parking for trail rig trailers would be nice. I would rather
spend my camping money with the trail area provider than an off site campground.
I think it’d be great to construct a multi-purpose facility...catering to all levels of off-road enthusiasts. Not
every trail needs to be super tough (Harlan etc) - there is a large group of guys who want to go drive over
some rocks have some fun - and not tear up their daily driver. Mud can be fun - but more of a pain to deal
with...some good ole trail riding is what I’d be interested in!
Provide a small work shop area for more significant repairs vehicles may need. A campfire and/or large
cooker/smoker/grill area.
I suggest copyping Highland Park in GA for a perfect riding facility!
Check out Harlan, KY if you have not already. The way they have set up their new lease and fees seems to
be working very well. You should be able to find contacts through this website. http://www.kymc.org/
Thanks for your work! We’d love to have some trails in TN similarly styled to the Hatfield-McCoy trails in
West VA
keep it booze and mud bog free please!
Having a campground with shower and toilet would be great! easy one way trails for families with small
kids
if hunting were involved u would have to close the trails for hunting thats defeating opening a ohv park.
FINALLY!!! Looking forward to having something like a Highland Park if possible, but closer
Keep it clean family freindly and people will come
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When Tellico was open, I visited there 3-6 times a year; the drive to Coalmont would only be 30 minutes
or so longer. As evident from Tellico, a large variety of trails with varying difficulties, from beginner to
hardcore, has the ability to attract OHV hobbyists from all over. Large, easily acceptable truck/trailer parking would be a nice amenity to have for the more “dedicated” hobbyists who trailer their rigs.
Good parking area
An air compressor and onsite welding machine would be grand.
We need more parks like this even if the fees to use are higher. Amentities at the park: a place to fix your
vehicle if breakage occurs!
We are looking for nice family friendly OHV areas with well setup campgrounds and miles of trails for motorcycles. We love to camp and ride, but do not have many options that provide both of those together.
Price isn’t as much an issue as is the facility being accomodating.
Kudos to you all! We desperatly need/want more places to ride. Should allow night rides as well. Consider
trail guides and minimum safety/recovery equipment requirements.
Rest room with shower and a filtered water fountain
I hope this comes to fruition. I love riding the old coal country, as some of these are the premier OHV
parks. I’d love to see a Harlan, Coal Creek, or Rausch Creek this close to home.
We typically travel well over 500 miles and then stay 10 days. We use at least a day to travel there and a
day to travel back.
Cabins and shower are a must now a days at OHV parks.
Keep the hikers, hunters, and fishermen away from the park. They have Tellico for that type of thing now.
Must be Family Oriented with opportunity for other activities. Nice campgrounds especially large area for
group camping and events. We often will have 20 folks on just a weekend ride and like to all be together.
Reservations online. Simple motel (clean and cheap). Restuarant and store are a must. Rules should not
be burdemsome but complete and with penalty of loss of privledges
Our group travels long distances to off road on very DIFFICULT trails. Usually traveling to areas that offer
3-4 days of offroading opportunities.
1. Please include single track for motorcycles in you plans. 2. If a large family friendly park is opened with
a variety of outdoor activities (ohv, hunting, canoeing) I would be very interested in purchasing property
or leasing a rv site in the area. 3. I would be willing to pay around $1000 a year for a family membership
to a park with the above amenities if the hunting was well managed.
we need places to ride that are family oriented. Most off-roaders are not the drinking rednecks that we
seem to be associated with. we keep the trails clean, we respect private property and are family oriented
and usually have family with us. our club is in the metro Atlanta area where there is nowhere for us to
ride. we typically drive 3-4 hours to places to ride
I love this particular riding area for the abcence of any commercial development, and the scenery of the
trails. Please keep it open. Everybody loves it.. wife, kids, basically everyone that comes to Mt.Eagle trails
always wants to come back!
Item 13 Other: Coded pressure wash stalls for the 4x4s. Code given out on payment.
access to a swimming hole/creek/river and maybe a centeralized coin opp. pressher washer pad/hut
Family focused. If the wife likes it, we can go more often!
The Hatfield-McCoy trail system would be a great model to follow in mapping, taril markings, trail levels
of difficulty, community attitudes and support.
Visit Rausch Creek in PA and see how they are set up...
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I would openly welcome a new OHV park in Coalmont, TN, and would pay to go there!
i think cabins are a great idea. i would stay in one.
A wash pit for daily drivers
Something that I was fond of, at Tellico, was a place to work on the rig, in the dry at the end of the day. It
was not a full blown garage, but more like the self service car wash stalls.
This would be a 4 hour drive for me not bad if you guys do your homework and build a nice park with
camping and good safe place to park truck with a trailer. Also look into bringing in some rock crawling
and other competitions. This is a great sport that is still growing and would bring lots of good people with
money into your town. There are lots of good family people that love to offroad. The amount of places
where we can enjoy our sport are either closing or threatened to be closed. So it is always great to see a
new place that might open. But please do your homework. Make sure your trails environmentally friendly
as you build. Look at closed parks like Tellico to see what went wrong and how you can avoid these problems. Good luck Chris
Trailer Parking, Trailer Access to Trail Head’s
your question on amenities i think locals should profit from the stores but a welcome center would be
great for the park
need good parking with a large enough area to move trailers around. a facitly to work on broken ohv
would be nice, even if there was a fee to use it.
We need more options to ride. A clean (no trash), fun, friendly place to ride, and enjoy a weekend with
family and friends
This is a wonderful opportunity to help TN’s economy. TN could become a national leader in powersports.
SO many people in other state’s are having public lands closed. I do a lot of travelling and riding. If you get
this right, it could be a big-time regional attraction. Please.....listen to the users in the sport. They know
what they want. Give it to them and they will come. Over-regulate it and they won’t. Thanks....
If possible, Please try to offer some type of place for OHV to rinse off mud and/or air up tires. I enjoy the
fact that I daily drive my jeep and the few parks that have offered things like this add a huge value to me.
I also do not expect this to be free. Services like this cost money and are worth a few bucks to me.
The most important items in an ohv park to me are good rock obstacles clean restroom/showers concession stand well marked trails no alcohol on the trails
Nice bathrooms are a big plus
Our groups loves any place with good hospitality and respect. Good example is hale mountain ownership.
Great survey!
All different levels of riding and different attractions for a full weekend get a way with a group of friends
and family. Rental cabins with a pool close by. Ride all day and relax all night.
Good CLEAN showers, a quiet respectful nighttime atmosphere, Have a look at SMORR, they are without
a doubt THE PREMIER OHV Park. The idea of an annual fee is not a good one. Some of us would only be
able to go to the park a few times a year. You might consider selling an annual membership for locals
rather than overcharging out of the area visitors. I know that the folks I wheel with don’t go to parks that
over charge. We own Jeeps, we’re a bunch of poor people!
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Don’t get too commercial. Talk with older experienced 4WD members to understand the conflicts between OHV and “open to the public” parks. That was the major cause leading to the closing of Tellico.
Motocross, ATV, 4WD trucks have safety issues and conflicts on the trails as Motorcycles and ATV’s are
fast movers. Secondly, all the above mentioned had trouble with hikers, fishermen etc. over land use. Are
you going to be an off-road park and what kind? Or are you going to be mixing the interests of many in
one park? If so, you will need a full time complaint booth or your own police department. Good luck with
your decision, I have scheduled these events for 20 years and have never pleased everyone.
Most important amenity: CLEAN, working restroom with running water
keep it primitive. strict fines on litter/leaving trail with vehicle. Have designated places for camping. Fishing would be great. I prefer trails to rock pits, mud boggs and water crossings are always great. The more
primitive the better
take a look at the black mountain adventure area in harlan, ky. i think they have done a great job managing their trail system. http://www.harlancountytrails.com/
This is a great opportunity to appeal to a lot of different groups. I would suggest reaching out to groups
to have adopted trails, volunteer trail maintenance. I suggest that you limit the amount of ATV riding
goes on in the park, they are the ones who go off trail and really destroy the trails for us. Incentives for
folks to get refunds if they pick up an entire bag of trash, NO DRINKING ON TRAILS but ok in rest of park.
Def charge per vehicle and not per person. Keep fees reasonable but know that we want the park to stay
open. Maintain your trails with machinery on a bi-annual basis to keep them fun and accessible.
archery and gun ranges
Do NOT post the area for firearm carry permit holders. Most people that travel and do this type of recreation have these permits and will not come if the area is posted.
Enforcement of common sense rules: speed limits for motorcycles and ATCs, NO alcohol on the trails, and
strict adhearance to staying on the approved trails. These are some of things that killed Telico.
Allow pets to stay in cabins
No alcohol
ATV’s are a big part of OHV participants but they also are the worst offenders of not staying on trails,
drinking and driving, riding dangerously in parking areas, and littering.
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15(b). Comments Regarding OHVs and Trail Design
Make sure trails are wide enough for passing vechicles
lots of mud attracts irresponsible riders/ drivers!
Need another choice on Question #13- Motorcycle Trails including but not limited to single track trails.
Variety of trails from easy to extreme...well marked for beginners Playground and riding area for the kids
Consult with OHV clubs to design trails and facilities. Have an “adopt a trail program” so clubs can create
and maintain trails. Would like to see a Rock Garden and RTIramp.
steep hills rather than Rock crawl
zip lines
wide, well maintained trails with good rock crawling will bring people from all over... you can get mud
anywhere around here, rocks are rare.
Question 11) would not apply because of distance Question 13) Good Woods Trails and dedicated trails,
no open riding except in certain areas ie. “challenge areas”
also make some trails for motorcyles. Nice people running the gates!!!!
I hope this trail system does happen, we need more in tn. Have a lot of easy trails all connected, But dont
have jeeps and atv’s on the same trails. no drinking, start a web site to. thanks
Motorcycle only trails that are single track 30 to 100 miles would be my wish list.
Single direction trails
No Water crossing as that is the main reason why Tellico closed up.
I would suggest a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult trails; which incorporate scenic views, dirt trails,
water crossings, hill climbs, and rock crawling.
Have trails designated for motorcycles, quads-side by side and 4 wheel drives
Maps and marked trails are greatly appreciated by those that don’t go often enough to memorize!!!
Prefer single track, one way trails, some motorcycle only, also an area to ride a trials bike and Motoxross.
Good trail maps, and directions noted on trails a plus. Maybe work on making trails flow, ie go from trail A
to B to C without skipping all over the place. Group trail’s together in an area based on difficulty?
Create maps to know trailes and possible difficulty ratings per trail
I would like to see one-way trails with llimited access to motorcycles. Two way trials with four wheelers,
jeeps, buggies etc... are dangerous.
I think trails should be seperated for 4x4’s and atvs
An OHV park needs to have a variety of trails for all skill levels where one feels like there is always a new
trail to explore, etc. In other words, one 3 mile loop will not work...it will need to have several long loops
to ride on....also, a “safe” motocross track would be fun too (doubles and triples not needed). See Highland Park in Georgia as a GREAT example to follow !!! http://www.highlandparkresort.com/
I would like to see trails of several miles in length
I would like to see the trails marked as “one way” type riding. Single track type trails would also be more
appealing to me. Designated rock crawl areas, also great for trails bike riding.
Please make some one way trails
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Please make some one way trails. They are much safer
This park needs to be decent (some moderate but a lot of challenging) in order to bring the serious offroad hobbyists in that will spend a lot of money. The loss of Tellico has been a huge hit for the southeastern 4wheeling community as it was by far the best park. Parks like Wooly’s or Wheeling in the country
aren’t worth loading up the jeep and camper for. They’re small and not challenging. These small parks are
like driving around in someone’s back yard on dirt roads with little to no challenge. The few challenges
that they do have become over ran because the park offers nothing better. The people participating in
this sport that actually have the money, respect and time take it very serious and do it for the extreme
challenge (ledges, rock gardens, hill climbs, off camber, etc). You need trails that lead to challenging
obstacles for serious rigs ( 38”+) but also with bypasses for the milder rigs and spectators. People enjoying running and also watching others attempt a challenging section. Places like Tellico or Windrock (Cole
Creek) offer a wilderness experience along with a challenge that keeps us coming back for more. Trails
that are progressive are most ideal. This keeps the novelist on the easier stuff and usually validates the
more serious person’s ability to continue on. Kind of like a filter. Ideally you’d want a place the size of
Golden Mountain (400 acres) or larger. This also needs to be ran like a business with operating guidelines,
land management, sustainabilty, rules and regulations, etc... or it will just be shut down like all the other
mom and pop places. Do it right or don’t bother muddying the already murky waters of the constant OHV
/ land access issue. With that said, I wish you luck and hope you’re able to put together a increadible park
which I would gladly make the trip for.
Make sure that the trails are for all levels of vehicle from easy to extreme and can be maintained to stay
open and avoid any environmental issues
Don’t forget to sell trail maps. Black Mountain sells maps all over Evarts, KY from local businesses.
Please have the trails directional (ONE WAY) it is safer for everyone!
We are in need of single track.
Motorcycle only trails in addition to atv trails. One way travel on single track.
Provide for a variety of trails, for all skill levels, so there’s something for everybody.
The wider range of difficulty the better. Having something to work up to makes me get way more into
wheeling
I would love to have single trails for Motobike use! One way traffic is essential for safety. The trails should
be classified depending on difficulty. However, there should at least a couple of trails which could be mastered by advanced children on there 65’s...
Make sure trucks and 4x4 are kept separate from bike and atv trails. Make trails one way only.
The favorite of most off-road motorcycle riders is moderately technical single-track trails.
OPTION (13) Does not include motorcycle ATV trail riding. this is a huge family sport. I would gladly support a facility that affered trail riding with one way trails. it is important that these trails be restricted
from full size vehicles such as jeeps and rock crawlers. Other facilities mix the two groups together. we
peacefully coexist, however the danger level is greatly increased. The most important feature for trail
riding is well marked one way trails with different skill levels assigned. There are many people in the area
with expertise in this typoe of layout that would be happy to consult. there are MANY rockcrawler facilities around, and we welcome them, however we do need an area that is designed for motrorcycles / atvs
motorcycle woods trails
The harder the better.
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I’m a novice wheel just getting into off-roading. So I would like to see a very wide variety of trails. Hopefully one day I’ll be a full-on rock crawler!
Trail riding with optional obsticals
Do it, make it good with both trails for mild and trails for wild with bypasses for mild vehicles to get
around obstacles to spectate the big boys running.
I hope this project comes to fruition and I look forward to visting soon if it does. Please don’t forget to account for high-challenge rockcrawling trails. Those are the type of trails that we lost in Tellico. Thanks.
Make sure that actual riders are involved in building tracks/trails.
Have some sections for ATV’s 50 inch wide and less and some sections for Single Track (Motorcycles
ONLY) Make all trails ONE WAY - this helps prevent accidents. If you have Rock Crawlers MAKE SURE they
cannot cut new trails. Have small bridges over stream crossings protects us all.
If you want a motorcycle friendly OHV area, add some trails specifically for motorcycles. Singletrack, a
harescramble loop or two, a nice MX track, or endurocross section. Motorcyclists are always looking for
new trails and singeltrack to ride. If a good trail system is established for bikes a lot of riders will come
from a lot of states.
We need more places to ride. Even if people dont fill out the survey, they want it. Avoid water crossings
as much as possible, unless your using proper bridges. Ask clubs like ours for help with trail maintenance
& development. This will save some money.
I would love a ‘rallycross’ type of facility, where drivers can get the sense of going fast without high
speeds. Like a motocross track for OHVs without big jumps or long straights.
Prohibit alcohol on the trails. MAINTAIN the trails Promote responsible trial use (BRC) Need trails of varying difficulty - gravel roads, mild, moderate, difficult, and extreme. There are numerous other opportunities that offer the easier options. Difficult and extreme opportunities are hard to find.
Like to see ATV & M/C trails seperated
atv specific trails that are maintained. If not you will do great in the beginning but people will quit wanting to ride trails that are worn out.
Make sure you have the resources to maintain the trails on a year-round basis. Also recommend varying degrees of difficulty for trails. Getting new off-roaders into the sport is key to continued success and
beginner trails or “safe” learning areas are key to that.
Please make a trail system, like the now closed Tellico ORV. I dont really care for what southern wheeling
has become, driving on roads from obstacle to obstacle. While I own a buggy built for difficult obstacles,
They group I wheel with, as well as myself prefer to ride trails with obstacles on them. If your park is like
every other southern park, where there are more “obstacles” than “trails” I doubt I would frequent it that
often.
I would like to see dirt bike only trails. Also I have been to many different places and I really like the the
one way trail setup the best.
4 Wheel trails of varying difficulty/ easy to hard core. Perhaps harder trails, as D3-D4, could have bypasses at the most difficult sections.
Good trail riding is a prime draw for me. The groups I ride with like variety, moderate to difficult. Price is
less of an issue as facility for many (not all)
For a successful park, try and have mild to wild trails, not just extreme stuff and not overly gravel roaded.
Enough to where a good majority of riders can come enjoy themselves without having to stress about
things, or, if they are into that, give them the extremes they need to get their fix.
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There is a great need for sustainable access to OHV trails in the Southeast. We would like a variety of trail
levels from Mild to Moderate to Extreme. Many clubs and organizations are willing to support an OHV
park with trail creation, clean up efforts, and other labor tasks. We want something, and we want it soon!
The more varition you have the more people you’ll have there. some like mud,some like rock, some
run stock vehicles, some run extreme builds. have some for each. Then get the community to welcome
wheelers you’ll have more business than you can handle. Lastly put on charity rides the four wheeling
community is very generous and comes togther to help. get the clubs involved.
MAKE IT OPEN TO DUNEBUGGYS
make the park friendly for all type of ohv’s, as in have something fun and challenging for everyone and it
will draw a bigger crowd in my opinion
KTM rules!
Please give us 4 wheelers another place to enjoy what we like to do,meet others,ride some rough
stuff,and also some easy trailsfor the not so built up jeeps or what ever. Thanks B.F.
we choose not to ride at places that allow large jeep type ohvs. too dangerous with young children. thank
you
Please consider the motorcycle riders and make areas of just single track trails that are not to be violated
by ATV’s or other OHV’s. Good luck in your venture and God bless you
OHV? I prefer jeep type vehicles. Quads & dirt bikes can rape the land
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15(a). Comments of General Support and Opposition
Good Luck. Additional land to ride on is a great thing.
I hope this park opens up! We need another one bad!
Adding an OHV park in Coalmont is a wonderful Idea. TN is a wonderful state, the downside is the lack of
OHV parks. If Loretta Lynn’s Ranch closes, the rides such as myself will be without a park that is safe to
ride.
Build it they will come
Would love to see an OHV park in Coalmont!
NEED T0 OPEN
I travel on a monthly basis to Tennessee to use my off highway vehicle. I have always enjoyed all the OHV
parks Tennessee has to offer. I will continue to travel to enjoy the OHV experience.
good luck
wheel hard with malt liquor
Would like to see more OHVs in the SE. I am willing to travel to have good clean family fun.
i support all off road parks and would love more to open and would come ride for sure
Good luck and hope this happens. As more restrictions to off road riding happen parks like this will be
what kind the sport alive
Please make this happen!
hope this park goes throu
New to the OHV sport. It took me 4 years to find my vehicle, and now am looking forward to building and
enjoying it. Thank you for the opportunity. Have a BLESSED day.
DO WERK
Would LOVE to see another great park!
having a place to go would be great
Good luck hope your able to get things open
Please make this happen! Thanks
GOOD LUCK, WE NEED MORE CHOICES THANKS
Great survey, the state and government needs to know how much money the Off Road community
spends when wheeling and off roading. Thanks
Looking forward to park becoming a reality
I am glad to see areas opening up to OHV access
We need all the OHV parks we can get - regardless of distance traveled. Thank you for making this effort!
I hope we get a good OHV park soon. Our family will attend.
We now ride the pipelines and power line trails and would LOVE to see this happen!
I would love a legal place to ride so close to home. I really hope this becomes a reality.
i really hope everything works out and it get approved. offroad parks are stating to get few and far between but it can really boost a small local town...look at what black mountain offroad has done for harlan
ky!!!!!!
Really would like to see this trial open up I’ll be there
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More places to ride, most off road drives also spend a lot of time and money on their rides which supports the economy and jobs
Id really enjoy seeing another OHV in the southeast.
build and we will come
If you build it- they will come... very true with the rock crawling crowd.
Get r done! We need it!
will always welcome a new park, and if needed i will come help with the park,clean up, tree removal ????
Would love another park to ride!!!
Please build this, offroad bussiness would help get it started
More parks the better. Good income for the community and good draw.
This would be a HUGE deal for the area and the State of Tennessee. Would be behind the idea 100% !!!!
I would gladly come if you open this park
Roll Tide
good luck
I hope this becomes reality. I’d love to have another place to wheel.
would love another OHV park in the area :)
Would like to see another park open up. We need more places to ride. I would support it as much as possible.
This sounds great!!
Would love to see some more offroad parks open!
We really need a park of this type in this area . It would add a lot of tax dollars for TN.
Good luck to a new park!
do it
Nice survey. Great idea.
Good Luck
would love to see another park in tn, its a great central location for all the SE states and we in the naxja
community would work hard to promote a well run park in the SE
While from NZ, I have on several occasions driven OHV parks in Pennsylvania etc. along with 4 wheeling
in Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and Virginia.
Were running out of legal land to enjoy our sport!!! Please do this!!
Please do this!!!
This would be great and would be a good source of revenue
Good Luck!
We need more land to wheel. So many are getting closed. It a shame
I think this would be a great location for a park and I would come out and support it.
Hope this works out. Ricky
Very interested in this OHV area
Get it Done!
I would really like to see something like this close to home. It would be GREAT!
156
Appendix
I think that this area could really support a ohv park
I think this would be a great place to have. Closer to home is alway nice to have
We need another park in the Southeast!!!
People come from all over the United States to ride our trails. Go for it.... you won’t be sorry. We have
Fisher’s ATV World coming October 1st to do footage for the Outdoor Channel. This is part of his Keepin’
It Real tour. Come join us and see what we have. OHV riding is a great FAMILY sport.
Looking forward to the new park
Please,please do this
Another relatively close OHV park is a great Idea!
ATV/ mountainbiking trails would also bring much more $$$
Anything like this I fully support. My family heads into TN every year for camping/vacation, and this
would definitely be added to our “to do” list.
Hope & Pray that the OHV Community will band together to make this project a Reality.
Do it! Too much land for OHVs is dissappearing!
We really need a OHV Park
We need more trails keep up the good work towards that.Thks Protwist Racing
I would definately support this venture! Call any business owner in Tellico and ask them about the support they lost when the local park there closed. Hope to see you there soon.
We need all the legal OHV areas we can get!
If you build it, they will come.... IN MASSES!!!!!
Think it would be great to have somewhere we could ride other than options out. I usually have to travel
out of State to ride somewhere different and spend those dollars in another State!
Build it and they will come! Good Luck
If you build it they will come.
I spend the majority of my weekends around the tims ford lake area and would love a place to ride that is
fairly close.
We in the offroad community need public lands or ORV parks to continue our hobby
Would love to see a new park open since so many are being closed down. I love this sport along with so
many others
Get ‘er done.
I ride with alot of local riders in the middle TN area. A new OHV park in the Coalmont area would definitely become my “home” park that I would visit the most since in a reasonable travel distance from
Murfreesboro. I am excited about the possibility of this park and will pre-register for an annual pass if
needed!
good luck
“If you build it they WILL come”
Just do it! If user-funded, it could be tax revenue neutral. Minimal supervision will ensure greatest success.
157
Appendix
We have waited a long time just to have an OHV park seriously considered by businesses/government.
Thank you for the possibility of an OHV park in our area.
Good luck!!
We own 100 acres here in Iowa that we use for our own personal family riding in my buggy, trucks, fourwheelers, dirt bikes, bicycles, and even hiking. It brings our family together in those moments, and I will
pray that this opening will go well so other families will get that same opportunity. Best of luck!
Good luck!
Good luck! Hope to see you on the trails!
Traveling is long distances is the Norm due to my location, so its not out of the realm of possibilty that
I would drive down to this park. Add in that my company has offices in Nashville and Murfreesboro, it
would be nice to have some ‘local’ wheeling in the area when I’m down that way on business.
Hope this gets off the ground.
Open it quickly!
Thanks for asking
Go for it, it will work.
thank you for your efforts
Grundy County area is a great place to ride. Love to see the park in palce. I believe it would a great asset
to the local economy
pppplllllleeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaassssssssseeeeeeee open up a park! they will come!!!
TN has the most beautiful country mountains and forest areas that need to be opened up for the world to
see.The best way to see,enjoy and inspire people is to get more OHV parks to bring people in from other
states.This is the best way to show your state,city,and community that you live in. TAKE PRIDE IN TN,GO
TRAIL RIDING AND SEE WHAT IT HAS TO OFFER.
Please make this happen!!
Keep up the good work, we will support.
Lets ride :)
Looking forward to ‘wheeling in Coalmont!
you build it they will come
If you build it.....
i am all for it! Lets do it!
just do it ,if u build it they will come !!!!!!
Would be great to have different ride.
I really hope this happens! I love visiting tennessee.
Hope to be off roading in Coalmont in future.
good luck
I think an OHV park in Coalmont, TN would be great
Looking forward to a new riding area!
grundy county could really use more legal off road facilities so people dont end up tresspassing due to
unmarked trails that they may take while trying to find their way out of the woods
158
Appendix
I live between windrock and brimstone and it is a great place to open a ohv park wish some one would
help us get it done I been in a ohv club for several years now we been trying to get one open but fall short
dew to local gov.
I think the park in Coalmont would be a great idea. It would be nice to see more places support out sport
instead of bashing it with no real knowledge. Thank you for your hard work.
i would love to have another park to enjoy and hope this happens. thanks
Please build this park
We need more places in state to ride our OHV
Do this and they will come. There is already a large number of users local to this area. People that do this
type of thing are used to traveling and will come in from all over. Thanks for the survey.
Get-r-done
A OHV park in Coalmont would be an excellent idea. The area is underserved in terms of quality places to
ride.
Make it happen!
Let’s get it done!
It would be great to see more riding area’s open up.
Do it and they will come
I sure hope y’all open this park. We are always looking for a new place to ride
Any additional OHV park in the USA would be amazing
IIt will be great to see another OHV park close to us hope you get this going
Would be a great idea!
this is a great Idea DO IT
A Coalmont OHV Park is a very good idea that should be implemented
good luck!
Move it closer to MEMPHIS.. We ain’t got JACK on this end of the state..!!
we need more OHV parks in the southeast area to accomadate the growing number of OHV users
We need as many communities such as your to help provide and promote the sport. It is a win win situation for both parties and I look forward to hearing more about the progress!
Another OHV in TN would be outstanding!
Git er done!
We need more places to ride.
there is a big need for this type of place!i would like to see more places like harlan ky.it has made a little
poor town into the economy again.it helps more than the ohv community,thanks for trying this idea,hope
it works!
I think it is great that you are considering this. Having a free get together day if this happens can draw a
great crowd so that people can get a feel for your new facilities. Good Luck
I hope this gets done, we need more legal places to enjoy our hobby. Thanks
Build it and they will come!
Build it.
We need another good OHV park in this region since the closure of Tellico and the Natural Bridge area
now in danger of being closed!
159
Appendix
I think an OHV park would be good for the comunity and the state as a whole
Do it!!! We need more public OHV options across the USA
Good luck, hope it happens!
i would love to see another ohv park open up on the east coast
This is a greta idea
If you build it, they will come!
An OHV park in Coalmont Tn would be fantastic...bringing much needed revenue and tourism into the
area. The area that this park is planning to use is one of the most popular areas in the Southeast.
Looking forward to the park being opened!!
i think you need to leave the gulf alone... thanks
160
Appendix
Agri-Industry Modeling and Analysis Group
Industry Brief
Estimated Statewide Economic Impacts of OffHighway Vehicles: A $3.4 Billion Industry
Burton C. English, Jamey Menard, and Kim Jensen
Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Tennessee
OHV Economic Impact Analysis for TN
Have you ever wondered how much economic impact a trip by off-highway enthusiasts will have on the
economy of the state or the region attended? There are five stages of costs involved — trip preparation, driving to
the site, on-site costs, driving home from the site, and recovering from the trip. These costs include such items as
meals, lodging, fuel, repairs, and other miscellaneous expenses. Once services and/or items are purchased, the
money spent pays for salaries, increases tax collections, and increases profits. Money is then spent on other goods
and services. This analysis attempts to quantify the economic impacts resulting from Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV)
activities.
Tennessee’s state -wide economic impact analysis of Table 1. Estimated Economic Impacts from
the OHV industry is presented in Table 1. Per survey data, Off-Highway Vehicle Survey for Tennessee
estimated economic impacts from OHV activities are close
Direct
Total
to $3.43 billion in total economic activity, $2.33 billion in
value added, and over 52 thousand full- and part-time jobs.
($ billion)
The estimated top ten sectors impacted as a result from
$1.76
$3.43
Total Industry Output*
OHV users and activities were Vehicle Dealers & Service
Stations, Miscellaneous Retail, Vehicle Repair & Services, Total Value Added*
$1.30
$2.33
Hotels & Lodging Places, Eating & Drinking, Wholesale
(number)
Trade, Food Stores, Transportation Equipment, Real Estate,
29,800
52,300
and Owner-Occupied Dwellings.
Jobs
The estimated average per trip expenditures for
*1998 Prices
lodging, food & beverages, transportation to the OHV site,
OHV (rental fees, repairs and service, trail use fees, plus fuel
and oil), and other expenses are presented in Table 2. The food and beverages category has the largest average per
trip expenditure followed by OHV, lodging, other expenses, and transportation to the OHV site. Within the food and
beverages category (i.e., restaurant dining, food purchased at
Table 2. Average OHV per Trip Expenditure
convenience stores, groceries purchased at food stores), restaurant dining has the largest average at close to $35 per trip.
$17.83
Lodging
Likewise, within the remaining categories the largest average
$26.72
Food & Beverages
per trip expenditures are $50 for OHV repairs and services
(OHV category), lodging at hotels, motels, etc., at $34, hunt$13.82
Transportation To OHV Site
ing supplies at $58 for the other expense category, and
$19.96
Off-Highway Vehicle
roughly $37 dollars on fuel and oil for transportation to OHV
$14.63
sites.
Other Expenses
DID You Know?
Economists often use computerized input-output models to derive multipliers. These models are very helpful for understanding the inter-relationships in a local economy. An input-output model which can be used to estimate the impacts of
outdoor recreation is IMPLAN developed initially by the USDA’s Forest Service and currently developed by Minnesota
IMPLAN Group (MIG). This model is used in this analysis. IMPLAN contains the relationships between industries in a
particular local economy through a transactions table. This dollar flow table lists all the sales and purchases made by the
different sectors of the economy over a period of time. Once the dollar flow table is constructed, another table is then constructed to derive multipliers. This final table shows the total dollar amount change in each economic sector caused by a
$1 change in output in any particular sector. When multipliers are used, they can clearly show how attracting new visitor
dollars into a region can stimulate considerable economic growth.
161
Appendix
The estimated number of households in Tennessee with an OHV user is 259,240. Approximately 60.1% of
that value, or 155,803 households, are active users (i.e., actually used an OHV for recreation “off road” in the last
twelve months). The estimated average
number of users per household is 2.14. Table 3. Average OHV Expenditures in past 12 Months
The median number of OHV trips taken
OHVs Purchased
$4,615
is 12.
Table 3 contains the average
Support Vehicles Purchased
$667
annual OHV related expenditure categories ranked in order of magnitude for
Repairs
$366
Tennessee. The total average annual
OHV related expenditure was $6,647.
Modification/Upgrades
$321
Off-highway vehicles purchased in$205
cludes ATVs, four wheelers, dirt bikes, Insurance
dual sport motorcycles, four wheel drive
Routine Maintenance
$194
trucks and jeeps, sport utility vehicles
and rail/dune buggies. Support vehicles
Other Support Equipment
$137
refers to trailers, car carriers, etc. Special tires, mufflers, engines, etc., are in- Riding Apparel
$109
cluded in the modification/upgrades
category. Other support equipment in- Club Membership
$19
cludes air compressors, pressure washOther
$14
ers, welders, etc.
Total Industry Output represents the estimated annual dollar value of production summed across all industries and is a measure of total economic activity. Jobs represent the estimated number of total wage and salary employees (both full and part-time) as well as self-employed. Total Value Added represents the estimated dollar value
of wages and salaries including benefits, self-employed income, interest, rents, royalties, dividends, profits, plus excise and sales taxes.
Direct Impacts represent the estimated economic impacts of off-highway vehicle recreational activities from
the surveys conducted at each event site. Total Impacts is the sum of the direct impacts, plus the estimated economic impacts from businesses (i.e., restaurants, retail stores, lodging, gasoline, etc.) providing goods and services
(indirect impacts), and increased expenditures of new household income (induced impacts) as a result of the events
taking place.
How much of the impact is induced?
Induced
40%
Direct
51%
Indirect
9%
162
One billion seven hundred thousand
dollars are spent by those participating in
off-highway activities. Initially these dollars are used to purchase inputs creating another $300 million dollars of economic activity. However, another $1.3 billion dollars
of economic activity is induced through
these expenditures. The top ten sectors impacted through induced effects include:
wholesale trade, owner-occupied dwellings,
state and local government education and no
education, real estate, doctors and dentists,
eating and drinking, hospitals, new residential structures, and banking. Jobs created
also follow a similar pattern. Of the 52,000
jobs created in the state by the off-highway
vehicle sector, 19,000 are through induced
effects, with nearly 30,000 created directly.
Appendix
Estimated Economic Impacts differ by TWRA Regions of the State
ment impact is 52 thousand jobs. The west
TWRA region benefits claiming an estimated 33%
of the jobs. The plateau’s OHV expenditures result in 7.6 thousand jobs, or 14% of the total number of jobs created because the OHV industry exists.
Where are the jobs?
East
30%
Plateau
14%
West
33%
TWRA Regions
The state was divided into the four
TWRA regions — west, middle, plateau, and
east. Information on expenditures by respondents in each of the regions were used to develop a regional set of expenditures. These
expenditures per household were then mult iplied times the number of households. Next, this value was multiplied by the median number of trips taken by hous eholds in each region to develop the direct impacts (Table 4).
Economic impacts from OHV activity varies by region
Table 4. Estimated Number of Households (Table 5). The west has the largest estimated direct expenditures
and the Median Number of Trips taken per ($600 million dollars). The east and middle TWRA regions’ diYear by TWRA Region
rect expenditures are estimated at $500 and $450 million dollars,
TWRA Region Number of
Trips per respectively. The plateau TWRA region has the smallest level of
Households household expenditures estimated at $270 million dollars. These direct expenditures result in an estimated 88 percent increase in economic
41,597
15.0
West
activity in the west region accounting for $1.1 billion. In the
middle TWRA region, economic activity resulting from OHV to45,583
10.0
Middle
tals $867 million, an estimated 94 percent change in the econ28,121
13.3
Plateau
omy. Two other sets of information provide information on the
impact OHV has on each regions’ economy. The total employ40,422
13.8
East
Table 5. Direct and Total Impacts and Total Industry Output Multipliers for the Off-Highway Vehicle sector by
TWRA region.
TWRA Region
Direct
Total
TIO
Multiplier
($ million)
West
602.4
1,130.6
1.88
Middle
448.0
867.1
1.94
Plateau
271.2
472.1
1.74
East
512.0
950.2
1.86
Table 6. Total Value -Added from OHV Expenditures by
TWRA Region
Middle
23%
TWRA region
Direct
Indirect
Induced
Total
($ million)
Total value added consists of wages and salaries,
self-employed income, interests, rents, royalties,
dividends, profits, and excise and sales taxes.
OHV household expenditures for the state result
in $2.3 billion dollars in value-added with the
west TWRA region accounting for an estimated
$784 million followed by the east, middle, and
plateau TWRA regions (Table 6).
West
452.4
60.0
271.2
783.5
Middle
328.8
46.2
211.9
586.8
Plateau
199.9
23.2
99.2
322.4
East
373.1
51.8
221.3
646.2
163
Appendix
Findings:
•
An estimated 156 thousand Tennessee households participate in OHV activities.
•
Total economic impacts from OHV activities in the state are estimated at $3.4 billion. The expenditures for the state that take place in preparing for, participating
in and recovering from OHV activities appear to have a multiplier of around 1.95.
Each expenditure almost doubles in value when examining economic activity.
•
Many of the expenditures do not necessarily occur onsite, but rather in preparing
for and transporting to and from the event.
•
For the state, average trip expenditures are greater for food and lodging and OHV
categories. The remaining categories are split relatively equal.
•
Close to 80 percent of the average OHV expenditures in the last 12 months are
from OHV and support vehicle purchases.
•
Economic impacts vary by TWRA regions. The west has the largest estimated direct expenditures ($600 million) followed by the east, middle, and plateau regions.
•
The middle TWRA region has the largest multiplier (1.94) followed by the west
(1.88), east (1.86), and plateau (1.74) regions.
AIM AG | Agri-Industry Modeling and Analysis Group
Burton English
Dept. of Ag. Economics
(865)-974-3716
[email protected]
164
Jamey Menard
(865)-974-3716
[email protected]
Kim Jensen
(865)-974-3716
[email protected]
Appendix
Fall Creek Falls Hotel Occupancy Rates with 1 being July
165
Fall Creek Falls Campground Occupancy Rates
166
Appendix
Appendix
Best Management Practices
For Erosion Control
During Trail Maintenance and Construction
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Department of Resources and Economic Development
Division of Parks and Recreation
Bureau of Trails
167
Copyright 1994
Updated 2004 by
State of New Hampshire
Bureau of Trails
State of New Hampshire
Bureau of Trails
172 Pembroke Road, PO Box 1856
Concord, New Hampshire 03302-1856
(603)271-3254
www.nhtrails.org
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
168
Appendix
Appendix
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................................... iii
II. PURPOSE ............................................................................................................................................... iii
III. DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ iv
1. Wetlands and Water Quality .............................................................................................. 1
² Wetlands .......................................................................................................................................... 1
² Wetlands Regulatory Situation ................................................................................................. 2
CLASSIFICATION OF PROJECTS ................................................................................................. 2
² Water Quality ................................................................................................................................. 3
SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL .................................................................. 3
SLOPES AND SOIL .......................................................................................................................... 3
2. Trail Planning and Design .................................................................................................. 4
² Trail Planning Guidelines ........................................................................................................... 4
TRAIL DESIGN ................................................................................................................................ 4
RECOMMENDED TRAIL GRADES .............................................................................................. 5
² Planning and Design Resources ............................................................................................... 6
3. Trail Construction and Maintenance .......................................................................... 7
² General Guidelines ....................................................................................................................... 7
² Erosion and Sedimentation Control Techniques .................................................................. 8
SEDIMENT BARRIERS .................................................................................................................. 8
Bales ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Silt fencing .................................................................................................................................... 8
RETAINING WALLS (REVETMENTS)/CRIBBING...................................................................... 9
FILTER STRIP .................................................................................................................................. 9
STABILIZATION ............................................................................................................................ 10
² Drainage ......................................................................................................................................... 11
OUTSLOPING/ INSLOPING ..........................................................................................................11
SWALES/DIPS/BERMS ................................................................................................................. 12
WATER BARS ................................................................................................................................ 12
REVERSE GRADE ........................................................................................................................ 13
DEFLECTORS ................................................................................................................................ 14
i
169
Appendix
CULVERTS ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Open-top culvert ......................................................................................................................... 15
Box culvert.................................................................................................................................. 15
² Water Crossings .......................................................................................................................... 16
STEPPING STONES ......................................................................................................................
FORDS ............................................................................................................................................
BRIDGES ........................................................................................................................................
Culvert bridge .............................................................................................................................
Constructed bridge ......................................................................................................................
16
16
17
17
18
² Wet Soil Crossings ..................................................................................................................... 18
STEPPING STONES ...................................................................................................................... 19
CORDUROY .................................................................................................................................. 19
PUNCHEON ................................................................................................................................... 20
BOARDWALKS ............................................................................................................................. 20
Floating boardwalks .................................................................................................................... 21
TURNPIKING, CROWNS, AND DITCHES ................................................................................. 21
Assistance and References ............................................................................................................. 22
Technical Assistance Available ..................................................................................................... 22
Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................... 23
Appendix I. - Other Resources (Publications) .............................................................................. 24
Appendix II. - Seeding Mixtures for Temporary Seedings .................................................... 25
Appendix III. - Communities with Designated Prime Wetlands .......................................... 25
Appendix IV. - Clues to Identifying Forested Wetlands ........................................................ 26
ii
170
Appendix
I.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The following state agencies contributed technical assistance in the revision and update of this document:
Department of Resources and Economic Development - Bureau of Trails
Department of Resources and Economic Development - Division of Forests and Lands
Department of Environmental Services - Wetlands Bureau
A number of agencies contributed technical assistance in the development of the original document:
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Federal Energy Management Agency
New England Sled Dog Club
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands
New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation
New Hampshire Statewide Trails Advisory Committee
Office of State Planning
Trailworks
U.S.D.A. Forest Service
U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Water Supply and Pollution Control Division
II. PURPOSE
In addition to providing recreation, trails foster an appreciation and respect of nature. Trail construction and maintenance
may involve impacts to wetlands and other natural resources. This publication attempts to create an understanding of
these impacts and provide the methods necessary to minimize them. It has been developed as a reference tool to help
public land managers, trail clubs, landowners and recreational trail users work together to protect our state’s natural
resources. It is necessary to develop erosion control plans for trail projects to minimize erosion, sedimentation and
resulting water degradation prior to the initiation of construction and maintenance activities.
Impacts to wetlands, rivers, and stream areas are regulated by the State of New Hampshire’s Department of
Environmental Services (DES) Wetlands Bureau. It is necessary to file an application and receive a permit from
the Wetlands Bureau prior to beginning trail maintenance and construction which may impact wetlands. This
publication outlines the various classifications relative to the potential wetlands impact and can serve as a resource
for the best management practices in accordance with wetlands regulations.
NOTE: Compliance with these BMPs is a criterion for Minimum Impact Projects per DES Administrative
Rule: PART Wt 303.04 Minimum Impact Projects. Minimum Impact Projects shall be those projects that
meet any of the following criteria:
(y) Construction of trails in accordance with the “Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance
and Construction,” 1996 that involve less than 3000 square feet of impact to wetlands per crossing, and that cross stream
channels less than 10 feet wide.
This document does not specifically address trail standards as they relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA). Full accessibility should be strived for wherever it is possible to do so, but such standards may be impossible
to meet in many backcountry settings.
iii
171
Appendix
III. DEFINITIONS
Bedrock. The solid rock that lies under the soil or that is exposed at the surface as trail ledges.
Best Management Practices (BMP’s). Best management practices are those practices that are currently believed
to provide the most effective, practicable means of preventing or reducing the likelihood for soil erosion and
sedimentation problems. NOTE: for the DES Trails Notification process, the use of these BMPs is mandatory.
Geotextile. Water permeable textile material (fabrics, etc) used as an underlay to conserve gravel on trails and stabilize
erodible surfaces. Textile allows for water to pass through it but keeps soil layers from mixing and breaking down.
Hardpan. A hardened or cemented soil layer that contains soil consisting of sand, loam, or clay and can be cemented
by iron oxide, silica, calcium carbonate, or other substances. A hardpan layer prevents precipitation from draining
through the soil layers.
Hydric Soil. Soil that is saturated or flooded during a sufficient portion of the growing season to develop anaerobic
conditions in the upper soil layers.
Hydrologic soil groups. Refers to soils grouped according to their runoff-producing characteristics. The chief
consideration is the inherent capacity of soil bare of vegetation to permit infiltration.
Hydrology. The science dealing with the properties, distribution, and circulation of water on the surface of the land,
in the soil, and below the ground surface in the underlying rocks, and in the atmosphere. Commonly used to describe
the distribution and circulation of water in a particular area.
Hydrophytic vegetation. Plants which are adapted to growing in saturated, poorly, or very poorly drained soils.
Peat. Unconsolidated material, largely undecomposed organic matter, mostly sphagnum mosses, that have
accumulated due to continued saturation.
Rill. A steep-sided channel resulting from accelerated erosion in unstable soils.
Sheet erosion. The removal of a fairly uniform layer of soil material from the land surface by the action of rainfall
and runoff.
Vernal pool. A seasonal pool, usually occurring as a result of spring rains or snow melts, which provides crucial
breeding habitat to some species of wildlife, such as wood frogs, spotted salamanders, fairy shrimp, and fingernail
clams. Vernal pools dry up in the summer, but may still be identified as small topographical depressions with or
without vegetation.
Channel. A waterway that contains moving water either periodically or continuously. A channel has a definite bed
and banks that confine the water.
Riprap. A layer of large, durable materials (usually rocks) used to protect a stream bank or lake shore from erosion;
may also refer to the materials used.
Runoff. The part of precipitation and snowmelt that reaches streams by flowing over the ground.
Sediment. Fragments of rock, soil, and organic material transported and deposited by water, wind, or other natural
phenomena. The term can refer to any size of particles but often refers to fragments smaller than 6mm.
Angle of Repose. The maximum slope or angle at which a material, such as soil or loose rock, remains stable.
Berm. A low earth ledge constructed at the side of a road or trail to divert the direction of flowing water.
iv
172
Appendix
1. Wetlands and Water Quality
² Wetlands
In 1967, the N.H. State Legislature enacted a law relative to projects located in tidal surface water bodies and
wetlands. In 1969, the law was amended to protect freshwater, non-tidal wetlands, and surface waters. Currently the
permit and enforcement authority for this law is delegated to the Department of Environmental Services (DES)
Wetlands Bureau.
The purpose of the law is to protect surface waters, freshwater, and tidal wetlands from unregulated activities. The
determination was made that wetlands areas were of value as fishery and wildlife habitat, potential habitat for
endangered and threatened plants and animals, storm-water control, nutrient/sediment/toxicant filtering, groundwater
discharge and recharge, and for aesthetics and recreation.
The DES Wetlands Bureau regulates two general categories of resources: 1) Flowing and standing surface water
bodies. Rivers, perennial, and intermittent streams can be categorized as flowing. Lakes (natural and man-made),
ponds (natural, man-made, or beaver constructed), and oceans are standing. Jurisdiction also includes the banks of
those water bodies (sloped land above them). 2) Freshwater and tidal wetlands. The state defines a wetland area
as being saturated with ground or surface water for a sufficient duration to support vegetation adapted to wet soil
conditions. Therefore, in order to identify whether an area is a wetland it must exhibit three characteristics:
hydric soil, hydrophytic vegetation, and presence of water. Some common indications of wetland areas:
*
*
*
*
*
*
water present at or near the ground surface (small test pit shows pooling water within 20" below soil surface).
change in vegetation types or increase in density.
saturated or wet leaf litter visible during dry conditions.
ponding water during wet conditions.
change in topography from slope to level areas.
presence of surface water with adjacent low-lying level area.
The DES Wetlands Bureau regulates activities such as excavation, dredging, filling, and construction of any structures
in the surface waters, wetlands, and certain other protected resources (such as upland tidal buffer zones and lands
adjacent to Prime Wetlands). Any person (includes individual, company, association, corporation, municipality or
government) proposing a project is required by law to file an application with the DES Wetlands Bureau and
receive a permit prior to conducting that activity. Each application is reviewed according to specific criteria and
evaluated on degree of impact a project has to the wetland or water resource and whether the applicant has avoided
or minimized their activities in relation to the wetland or waterbody.
1
173
Appendix
² Wetlands Regulatory Situation
CLASSIFICATION OF PROJECTS
Before trail maintenance and/or construction operations may be done in wetlands, a permit must be obtained from,
or a notification sent to, the DES Wetlands Bureau. Depending on the size of the projects and the type of wetland
area to be affected, the Wetlands Bureau has developed the following project classifications. The Wetlands Bureau
staff should be contacted at 603-271-2147 if there is a question concerning project classification. Projects which
avoid wetlands or have minimized the proposed impact are subject to a more expedient review, provided the
applications have been filed with a set of complete supporting information and the project and wetlands have been
clearly delineated. Projects which have been designated to meet the minimum impact classification can file a simple
notification form, with the appropriate documentation.
Projects in jurisdiction that do not require a permit
• Mowing or cutting of vegetation in a wet meadow, swamp, or forested wetland, provided roots of vegetation
are not disturbed, and the ground is frozen or sufficiently dry to avoid making ruts, and the area is stabilized
once thawed and the project is not located in a bog or adjacent to a prime wetland.
• Installation of a culvert in an area where waters flow during runoff to such a limited extent as not to create a
defined, scoured channel nor maintain wetlands vegetation or wetlands soils.
Minimum Impact Projects (Trails Notification Form)
• Projects, which involve impacts of less than 3,000 square feet in swamps or wet meadows that are not in or
adjacent to municipality-designated prime wetlands.
• Installation of a bridge provided no work is done in the water or wetland; fill does not exceed 3,000 square feet
on the banks or bed of a river, and is not located in bogs and marshes or adjacent to or in prime wetlands.
• Maintenance dredging of nontidal drainage ditches and plugged culverts within the bounds of a constructed project.
• Projects that disturb less than 50 linear feet of a seasonal stream during periods of non-flow.
• Repair in-kind of culverts, bridges, riprap slopes, and retaining walls.
Minor Impact Projects (Permit)
• Projects involving less than 20,000 square feet of alteration in the aggregate in nontidal wetlands, nontidal
surface waters, or banks adjacent to nontidal surface waters.
• Projects that disturb less than 200 linear feet of a stream, riverbanks, or channel.
• Construction of boardwalks in a marsh or swamp.
• Those projects located in jurisdiction that do not meet the definition of minimum or major.
Major Impact Projects
• Projects in or adjacent to municipality-designated prime wetlands, sand dunes, tidal wetlands, upland tidal
buffer zones, or bogs.
• Projects within 100 linear feet of the highest observable tide line that alter any bank, flat, wetland, surface
water, or undeveloped upland tidal buffer zone.
• Projects that involve alteration of nontidal wetlands, nontidal surface waters, and banks adjacent to nontidal
surface waters in excess of 20,000 square feet in the aggregate.
• Projects that disturb more than 200 linear feet of an intermittent or perennial stream, river, lake, or pond.
• Projects in a wetland that has been identified by the Natural Heritage Bureau (DRED) as an exemplary natural
community, or that has documented occurrence of state or federally listed Endangered or Threatened species.
• Projects classified as major require a field inspection by DES Wetlands staff. Projects that propose to impact
areas adjacent to or in prime wetlands require a public hearing.
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Appendix
² Water Quality
SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION CONTROL
Soil erosion is defined as the loss of soil by the actions of water, ice, gravity, or wind, and includes both the
detachment and transportation of soil particles. Soils which contain high proportions of silt and fine sands are more
vulnerable to erosion. The potential for soil erosion decreases as the percentages of organic matter increases. The
most important factors which affect the potential for soil erosion include: soil particle size, soil structure, soil
permeability, and percentage of organic content. Vegetation, slope, and climate are also important considerations
which affect the potential erodibility of soil.
Vegetation acts as a natural buffer to protect wetlands from erosion and sedimentation. The maintenance of existing
vegetation on stream banks is a fundamental principle of erosion and sedimentation control. Vegetation filters runoff
and provides a protective cover to the soil from the impact of rain and flowing water.
Soil erosion control practices will help to protect water quality, maintain recreational trails, and reduce the costs of
maintenance. Such measures include mulching with hay, vegetative restoration, and scheduling trail construction to
be done in phases to keep the amount of unstabilized areas at a minimum. In order to maximize effectiveness, erosion
control measures must be properly chosen, located, and implemented in a timely manner. Many erosion control
practices will not only protect water quality, but also maintain trail integrity and improve usability.
Sedimentation is the end-product of erosion. Sedimentation refers to the settling out of soil particles which have been
detached and transported, usually by water, in the process of erosion. Sedimentation is minimized by erosion control.
The first step in planning for sedimentation control is to control erosion. The second step is to trap sediments which
are transported by runoff before they reach streams or wetlands.
Sedimentation occurs when moving water in which the soil particles are suspended is slowed to a degree which
allows the soil particles to settle out of suspension. Larger, heavier particles, such as sand and gravel, settle out more
quickly than smaller, lighter particles, such as clay and silt. This can be seen at the base of slopes on the flatter areas
of a trail where small sandy patches or deltas develop.
SLOPES AND SOIL
Soil which has eroded contributes to both onsite and offsite damages, usually to wetlands and surface waters. The
depth, structure, and composition of the soil, as well as the soil’s permeability, texture, and drainage capacity, are
all significant in the soil’s ability to withstand erosion. Soil compaction occurring on recreational trails restricts the
natural absorption of water. Churning of the soil loosens surface soil particles, which then can be carried away by
wind or water.
Slopes are especially susceptible to erosion due to the relationship between the grade of the slope and the potential
for increased water velocity. Trail construction or maintenance work that is to be performed on hillsides should be
carefully planned so as to minimize the trail grade and to incorporate proper cross-drainage.
The most effective way to decrease erosion is to avoid modifying slopes. Trails in areas with long, steep slopes should
be designed to follow the contours to minimize accelerated soil churning and erosion. Modifying a slope by clearing
existing vegetative cover also increases its vulnerability to erosion. Vegetation helps filter runoff water and holds
soil particles in place. Vegetation also maintains the soil’s capacity to absorb precipitation.
During trail planning and construction, the most desirable slope grade is less than or equal to 5%. This will minimize
potential erosion and sedimentation problems. Slope grades in excess of 10% increase the need for maintenance and
the potential for erosion.
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Appendix
2. Trail Planning and Design
² Trail Planning Guidelines
The ideal recreational trail is one that requires minimal maintenance. When planning a trail and its construction,
you should take advantage of the natural features of the environment rather than transforming the landscape to
meet the proposed project’s needs. The materials that will be used, the construction and maintenance techniques,
and the size of the trail project will help identify the scale of the environmental impact to soils and wetlands. The
best wetlands protection is avoidance. Should modification to the landscape be required, it is imperative to
minimize soil disturbance near wetlands. The first step in trail planning is to visually inspect the area. In general,
look for routes that are dry, of moderate grade, and in need of little terrain modifications in order to minimize
potential erosion and sedimentation problems. Survey the trail during wet months!
In addition to concern for protecting wetlands and preserving water quality when performing trail work, consideration
for potential impact to rare flora and fauna is recommended. The New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau must be
contacted if a permit is required or a trail notification is filed. The New Hampshire Heritage Bureau can be contacted
at the Department of Resources and Economic Development (603-271-3623).
TRAIL DESIGN
Poorly designed, located, constructed, and maintained trails can cause significant erosion and sedimentation
problems. The first rule of trail design is to avoid crossing wetlands, or other sensitive areas, such as vernal pools.
This may mean planning a longer route that minimizes the impact to environmentally sensitive areas, as well as
reducing the need for future remedial actions.
Where wetlands crossings are unavoidable, crossings should be properly designed and placed at the narrowest
wetland location. Trail design should always ensure that runoff water and drainage from the trail is collected in a
stabilized area or sediment basin. Natural drainage patterns should not be disrupted or moved, as the runoff water
and surface water may be providing moisture to wetlands downslope or downstream. The design of these
drainageways ensures that runoff volume and velocity is handled without risk of erosion or sedimentation. Surveying
the trail during wet months will help determine drainage patterns and the location of wetlands and saturated soils.
Water is a powerful attractant to people. Typically, many trails have been built too close to the water, with resulting
environmental and maintenance problems. Good trail design can balance the desire to be near water with
environmental protection by incorporating scenic viewpoints, vegetative buffer zones, and by minimizing the
number of wetland crossings.
General Guidelines
• Know the type of trail being constructed. Design for all potential uses.
• Good planning and design of recommended trail work should prevent many potential erosion problems.
• Whenever possible, use vegetative means of erosion control, such as seeding or planting small trees or other
ground cover.
• Avoid using heavy equipment whenever possible, thus reducing the amount of disturbances to the natural resources.
• Certain forms of recreational trail use can create serious erosion and sedimentation problems. It is essential to
integrate erosion control measures when planning, constructing, and maintaining trails, and to assure the measures
are appropriate for the type of recreational use the trail receives.
• The steeper the slope, the greater the potential for problems.
• Multiple-use trails should be designed to the most limiting standard. For example, a snowmobile and cross
country ski trail design should not exceed 20% slope, the maximum grade guideline for cross country ski trails.
• The following chart consists of guidelines for recommended grades for recreational trail use which should be
considered during the planning and design process.
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Appendix
RECOMMENDED TRAIL GRADES
Trail Type
Grade
Hiking/Interpretive
10-12% sustained, pitch grades that are
considerably steeper are acceptable if short
in duration
Cross Country Skiing
8-17% sustained, 20% maximum
Snowmobiling
Avoid grades of greater than 25%
Mountain Biking
4% sustained, average of 3%, pitched grades
of 8% or greater, 5% for long runs, grades of
10% can be considered
Equestrian
8% sustained, 15% for a maximum of 200 feet
and include a 4% easing-off section of at least
500 feet in length where practical; avoid
steeper than 15%, although short sections are
acceptable where they avoid sensitive
environmental areas
Dog Sledding
20% maximum for winter use
ATV/Motorcyle
Avoid grades of greater than 30%
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Appendix
² Planning and Design Resources
Soil information, hydrologic data, and topographic and soil survey maps are valuable tools which should be used
to plan trail construction and maintenance. Soil maps developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
using the National Cooperative Soil Survey procedures help to identify an area’s predominant soil. These maps can
be useful when attempting to identify appropriate areas to locate the trail. Due to the scale on which the maps are
produced and the accuracy of soil boundaries, soil maps are useful for planning but not for site-specific purposes.
Actual onsite review is the only way to identify whether the location is capable of supporting a trail. Soil maps are
available through the NRCS in each county.
Prime wetlands have been designated and adopted in many N.H. communities, under RSA 482-A:15. Maps have
been prepared for these communities as part of a comprehensive wetlands evaluation. These maps are used to identify
prime wetlands. If an area is designated as a prime wetland, a proposed trail project would be considered a major
impact project. There is no size limitation for regulated wetlands. Not all wetlands can be located on a map, at which
case an onsite review would be required while planning trail work. For information on whether a particular wetlands
is designated as a prime wetlands, contact the local conservation commission. For more information on prime
wetlands, contact the Department of Environmental Services Wetlands Bureau (603-271-2147) or www.des.state.nh.us/
wetlands.
Topographical maps developed by the United States Geological Survey are one of the most useful and comprehensive
reference tools when planning trail construction or maintenance. They provide valuable data regarding elevation,
contour, large wetlands areas, and existing trails. Typically, these maps are scaled so that 1 inch = 2000 feet.
Topographical maps are available at many bookstores and outdoor sporting good stores.
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Appendix
3. Trail Construction and Maintenance
² General Guidelines
Obtain permits or notifications first.
• Before beginning any trail construction, install necessary measures to minimize and prevent erosion.
• Stabilizing slopes, creating natural vegetation buffers, diverting runoff from exposed areas, controlling
the volume and velocity of runoff, and conveying that runoff away from the construction area all serve to
reduce erosion.
• Careful trail planning and design will create a stable trail that will result in fewer problems with soil erosion
and sedimentation.
• During trail construction, minimize the amount of soil disturbance at stream crossings.
• Trail construction is best done during the dry months when soil saturation and water levels are at their lowest.
• The three most important factors to consider during trail construction are the character of the land itself (soil,
slope, and vegetative cover), the type of expected use, and the volume of that expected use.
• Some trail construction areas may need to be stabilized if heavy traffic is expected on the trail.
• Install temporary erosion control measures such as hay bales before construction begins. Keep them in place
and maintained during construction and remove them only after the site has been stabilized.
• Trails through wet areas may have to be closed during the spring or other wet periods. Plan an alternate route,
if possible.
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Appendix
² Erosion and Sedimentation Control Techniques
SEDIMENT BARRIERS
Definition
An erosion control device installed across and at the toe of a slope, usually consisting of hay, straw bales, or geotextile
materials, to prevent sediment from entering wetlands or open water.
Conditions where appropriate
• When the erosion which would likely occur is in the form of sheet or rill erosion.
• Where temporary sediment retention is necessary until permanent vegetation is firmly established.
Bales
Guidelines for bale installation
• Bales shall be placed in a single row on the
contour with the ends tightly adjoining, not to
exceed 600 feet in length. Turn up the ends and
begin a new row, if needed.
• The bales should be embedded into the ground
at least 4" deep.
• After placing bales, they should be anchored in
place with two stakes per bale driven through
the bale and into the ground.
• Bales should be used where the area below the
barrier has exposed soils and would be impacted
by water flowing through a barrier.
• Inspections should be frequent. Repair or
replacement should be done promptly, as needed.
Silt Fencing
Guidelines for silt fencing
• If wooden stakes are utilized for silt fence construction, they must have a diameter of 2" when oak is used and
4" when pine is used.
• The filter fabric should be purchased in a continuous roll and cut
to the length of the barrier to avoid the use of joints. When joints
are unavoidable, filter cloth should be spliced together only at a
support post, with a minimum of a six-inch overlap, and sealed.
• When wire support is used, a standard-strength filter cloth may
be used. When wire support is not being used, extra-strength cloth
should be used.
• The fabric should be stapled or wired to the fence and a minimum
of 4" of the fabric should be extended into the trench.
• The trench should be backfilled and the soil compacted over the filter fabric.
Additional considerations
• Inspect bales and barriers after heavy rains.
• Sediment deposits should be removed when the level of deposits reaches one-half of the height of the bale or
the silt fencing.
• Barriers should be removed when the area has revegetated and the barriers are no longer needed. The sediment
should be removed or graded out before removal.
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Appendix
• Straw and hay bale barriers require more maintenance than geotextiles due to the permeability of the bales
being less than that of silt fencing.
• Silt fences should be removed when they have served their useful purpose, but not before the upslope area has
been permanently stabilized.
• For specific information regarding the different types of geotextile materials and their construction and
maintenance guidelines, contact the Department of Environmental Services, county conservation district, or a
local industrial supplier.
RETAINING WALLS (REVETMENTS)/CRIBBING
Note: Retaining walls and riprap along streams or in wetlands need to be permitted.
Definition
Structures used to provide stability and strength to the edge of a trail, usually made of logs or rocks.
• Where vegetation will not provide sufficient protection from soil erosion and sedimentation problems.
• Retaining walls are used on unstable slopes where space is limited and the trail would be “lost” if the
slope collapsed.
• Retaining walls are often used when a slope is too steep to establish and maintain vegetation, as well as to
reduce extreme slopes.
• Where loosely structured soils are encountered, such as sands or gravel.
Guidelines
• Clear debris and loose rock from the area requiring
retaining walls.
• The logs should be at least 10" in diameter and peeled.
• Dig a trench, then stack and fit together rocks or logs along
the lower edge of the trail. Construct the cribbing as high as
the trail requires to create a level and stable surface.
• The logs can be secured by spiking them together.
• Fill and pack down soil in layers to create the treadway
behind the cribbing.
• Slope the trail surface to provide for proper drainage.
• As log revetments gain height, they may require additional bracing and/or support.
• Rock cribs are preferred to log cribs due to greater durability and less maintenance.
• The heavier the log, the more likely it will be able to support the weight of the use the trail receives.
• Be sure to provide for drainage from behind the cribbing wall.
FILTER STRIP
Definition
An area of undisturbed soil, vegetation, and forest litter situated
between an area of exposed soil, such as a trail, and a body of
water or a wetland. A filter strip allows surface runoff to drop
sediment before it reaches environmentally-sensitive areas.
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Appendix
• Maintaining a filter strip at the base of a slope retains sediment on site and is considered to be the preferred
method for erosion control.
• In areas adjacent to any body of water or wetlands.
• At the outlet of drainage structures such as culverts, waterbars, and ditches after the water passes through an
energy dissipater or spreader ditch.
Guidelines
• If slope is 0-10%, filter strip width should be 50 feet.
• If slope is 11-20%, filter strip width should be 70 feet.
• When planting a new filter strip a temporary diversion should be used to divert water flow away from the filter
strip until dense vegetation is established.
• Dense vegetative cover of forest litter is necessary for a well-functioning filter strip. If this is not available,
seeding, planting, or other erosion-control measures can be substituted.
• Filter strips are less effective as the slope increases.
STABILIZATION
Definition
Establishing vegetation on highly erodible or disturbed areas by sowing seed and other plants and/or mulching.
• In areas where permanent vegetative cover is necessary to stabilize the soil.
• In areas of trail where the soil is badly eroded and requires stabilization in order to continue potential trail use.
• Generally applicable where bankfull flow velocity does not exceed five feet/second and soils are erosion-resistant.
Guidelines
• An analysis of the soil may be necessary to decide how much and what kind of seed is appropriate.
• It is necessary to first drain existing water when preparing the seedbed in water-diversion structures.
• Guidelines for proper seeding can be found on the seed bag, or information can be obtained from the dealer
where the seed is purchased. (See seeding chart in Appendix III.)
• Lime and fertilizer may be applied prior to or at the time of seeding and incorporated into the soil.
Application rates will be determined by conditions at the specific site. No fertilizer should be applied if near
surface water or wetlands.
• Seed mix should consist of native materials, if possible.
• Once an area has been seeded, it should be covered with hay or straw for protection from sun and rain and anchored.
• Mulching is recommended as a good practice for protecting exposed areas even if seeding is not expected to be
done. Mulch must be anchored to prevent wind or water from moving it.
• The most commonly used materials for mulching are hay and wood chips. When these materials are not available,
brush can be substituted.
• Grass and legumes are the most commonly used plant materials for seeding.
• Native seed mixes are desirable but may be difficult to obtain.
• This practice does not apply where tidal conditions exist.
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Appendix
• Disadvantages of seeding include the potential for erosion during the establishment stage, the need to reseed
areas which fail to establish vegetation, and limited periods of time during the year which are conducive to
successful seeding.
• Grass seeding has limited success in preventing surface erosion from slopes exceeding the angle of repose, or
that angle at which a particular slope is stabilized. Some grass has limited success due to shallow root systems.
² Drainage
General Guidelines
• Proper drainage will carry the water either over the trail, under the trail, or will intercept the water before it
crosses the trail.
• Surface runoff which is intercepted by erosion-control measures must be collected by drainageways and
discharged in stabilized areas or sediment basins.
• The drier the terrain, the more stable the trail, which keeps potential erosion problems at a minimum.
• Examine topography, surface flow patterns, soils, and the water table to help determine the area’s potential
wetness, preferably during the wettest months of the year, to help prevent future erosion problems.
• The ideal trail would be located on soil which has a seasonal high water table of two to four feet below the surface.
• Poor drainage is the primary cause of a majority of trail maintenance problems which can be avoided with
proper planning.
• Cross-drainage techniques, such as swales, culverts, and water bars, should be utilized to divert water off of the
trail as soon as possible.
• Attempts should always be made to maintain natural drainage patterns.
OUTSLOPING/INSLOPING
Definition
Outsloping is a process where the trail surface is sloped in the same direction (with) as the slope on which it is
located. Insloping is a process where the trail surface is sloped in the opposite direction (against) of the slope on
which it is located.
• Outsloping and insloping are appropriate in areas where the grade of the slope is relatively high.
• In areas where the amount of water flow is relatively low.
Guidelines
• Be sure to maintain the slope pitch at approximately 1-2%.
• No intermittent or perennial streams should cross over the trail.
• No drainage ditches should be laid on the upslope side of the trail.
• Make sure the water is not being diverted towards streams or other bodies of water. If water drainage is
unavoidable in areas adjacent to streams, make sure there are vegetative buffers.
• If water flow is more extensive than outsloping/insloping can control, larger structures such as diversion ditches
may be necessary.
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Appendix
SWALES/DIPS/BERMS
Definition
A depression constructed across a slope, above and in conjunction with an earthen berm.
• In areas where surface runoff might create erosion problems running across a trail.
• On slopes which have a trail grade less than 10%.
• This technique may be most appropriate for cross country skiing, dog sledding, and
mountain biking trails.
•
•
•
•
•
Guidelines
• Install swales at the top of any slope and at proper spacing along sloping sections of the trail.
• The swale can be as shallow or as deep as necessary, taking into consideration the
expected trail use and the conditions.
Soil should be removed from the swale and transferred to the downhill side to form the berm.
The swale should be constructed at a 30-45 degree angle downslope from a line perpendicular to the direction
of the trail.
The downhill end of the swale should extend far enough to disperse the water flow away from the trail.
If erosion is a potential problem at the outlet (downhill end) of the swale, riprap or other velocity dissipaters
should be utilized.
The uphill end of the swale should extend far enough beyond the trail in order to fully intercept the flow of water.
• Alternative water drainage techniques may be required if the swales are consistently becoming filled or breached.
• The frequency that the swale and the berm may need to be cleaned or restored depends on the amount of
sedimentation which occurs.
• A broad-based dip is the recommended practice on trails where distinct bumps pose an erosion problem.
WATER BARS
Definition
A rock, earthen, or log barrier, or excavated channel, angled across a trail to divert the runoff water off of a trail.
• In general, the greater the slope and the higher the velocity or volume
of water, the greater the need for waterbars as opposed to other
drainage techniques.
Guidelines
• Place each rock or log solidly into the ground, preferably using flat
rocks or rot-resistant logs.
• Install waterbars at the top of slopes and at steep sections of the trail as needed.
• The waterbar should be constructed at a 30-45 degree angle downslope from a line perpendicular to the direction
of the trail.
• Extend the outlet end of the waterbar beyond the edge of the trail and place rocks or logs there to filter the water.
• Construct the waterbar so that it extends at least 12" beyond both sides of the trail.
• As a minimum, the waterbar should drain at a 3% outslope.
• In a rock waterbar, each rock should overlap the rock below it and be overlapped by the rock directly above it.
• A log waterbar should be constructed with peeled logs at least 10" in diameter.
• Log waterbars should be held in place with large stones.
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Appendix
• Observe the trail during a rainstorm to more accurately determine the
need for waterbars.
• The channel created by the waterbar outlet and the waterbar itself can
be lined with stone to reduce erosion.
• Species appropriate for log waterbars include spruce, hemlock, beech,
and oak trees.
• Alternative drainage measures should be taken for trails frequented by
mountain bikers, snowmobilers, cross country skiers, and dog sledders,
as protrusions in the trail may damage tracks, skis, or wheels.
• One type of waterbar that may be appropriate on multiple-use trails
utilizes flexible rubber belts imbedded in the trail’s surface.
• Consider using box culverts where the bumps caused by waterbars
pose a problem.
SPACING FOR WATER BARS
Road/Trail Grade (percent)
2
5
10
15
20
30
Spacing Between Water Bars (feet)
250
135
80
60
45
35
REVERSE GRADE
Definition
A short rise in a trail which traverses a slope and forces any water in the trail to drain off the side.
• When the trail climbs up or traverses a hill with a 10-15% slope, a reverse grade should be used to take
advantage of natural cross-drainage.
• When it becomes necessary to break the grade of the trail to help limit the steep slope length.
• Can be used in conjunction with additional water drainage techniques.
• In areas of trail where waterbars cannot be used.
Guidelines
• Try to blend reverse grades into natural terrain.
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Appendix
DEFLECTORS
Definition
Rubber belting fastened to treated timbers which are placed in the
ground to deflect water off of a trail.
• Areas where low water volume is expected for drainage.
• Areas where an open-top culvert might be considered.
• Roadways or trail corridors where water runoff can cause erosion
issues.
• Heavily traveled trails where motorized use is expected.
• Trails or roads where grading is typically not a maintenance activity.
• Trails or roads where broad-based dips may pose problems
for equipment.
Guidelines
• Bury lumber in gravel so that approximately 3" of rubber belting
is exposed over trail surface. Keep sediment cleaned from uphill
side of deflector.
CULVERTS
Definition
A metal, plastic, cement, or wood pipe placed under a trail to permit crossing an intermittent or active stream.
• On trails where water consists of small or intermittent flows.
• In general, cross-drainage culverts are more effective for drainage areas under ten acres.
• This is the preferred method of water drainage on trails frequented by mountain bikers, snowmobilers, cross country
skiers, and dog sledders, because the construction is such that there are no external obstructions on the trail.
Guidelines
• A dredge and fill permit or notification is required for work within the body of a stream or waterbody, or within
the banks of a stream and in an adjacent wetland.
• Culverts should be of a size appropriate to carry potential maximum water flow. The minimum size recommended
is 12" to facilitate cleaning with a shovel.
• The culvert should extend one foot beyond the base of the trail on either side.
• Culverts should be sloped at least 6% to produce water velocities that will prevent the pipe from becoming
unduly silted.
• It may be necessary to construct a berm across the side ditch to
assist in water removal.
• Stream alignment should be straight at the point of crossing and
of uniform profile so as not to obstruct the flow of water.
• For larger water flows, a corrugated metal culvert is recommended.
• Seat the pipe, backfill to half the diameter with clean fill, and tamp.
Then fill over and around the culvert and tamp at six inch intervals to
help prevent erosion, add strength to the pipe, and to prevent seepage
along the pipe. Cover the pipe with a minimum of 12" of soil.
• Build up headwalls around and above the pipe.
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14
Appendix
SIZING PIPE CULVERTS FOR STREAM CROSSINGS
Acres of Drainage
Shallow and High
Elevation Soils
2
4
7
12
16
27
47
64
90
120
160
205
250
Normal Forest
Soils
Recommended Pipe Culvert
Diameter in Inches
9
16
25
40
55
84
130
190
260
335
400
550
640
12
15
18
21
24
30
36
42
48
54
60
66
72
Open-top culvert
Guidelines
• Can be constructed of either stone or sawn timber, depending on the
availability of materials.
• Log culverts may be constructed with two 6-10" logs set into the trail
and pinned to prevent movement.
• Line the base of the culvert with riprap and install spreaders if necessary.
• Sawn timber open-top culverts are usually constructed of two 3" x
8" planks set on a 3" x 12" plank, spiked at the bottom. This would
create a water flow area 8" deep x 6" wide.
• Open-top culverts are most appropriate when water runoff is light.
• Caution if an equestrian or bike trail.
Box culvert
Guidelines
• The top of the culvert should be flush with the surface of the trail to provide for an uninterrupted tread.
• Can be constructed of wood or stone.
• If stones are used, align them so that there are no protruding edges which will catch debris, and cap the culvert
with flat stone. Pack the sides with gravel up to the top of the culvert and cover with native materials or flat stones.
• For log culverts, set two 6" or 8" diameter logs 30 degrees across the trail about 4" apart. Cap the logs with a
3" x 8" plank which has a 3" x 4" piece of wood nailed down the middle to act as a spreader.
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Appendix
² Water Crossings
General Guidelines
• Water crossings are a major concern in the construction and use of trails because of the potential for large
amounts of sediment to enter a stream.
• Avoid water crossings if at all possible. Rerouting the trail away from water crossings will save construction
time and money, as well as create less of an impact to the environment.
• When needed, crossing sites should be selected at right angles to the stream and should not interfere with
natural water flow.
• Erosion and sedimentation-control devices should be utilized whenever trail construction occurs in or near a
wetland, stream, or water body.
• Before constructing any type of water crossing on trails, a permit or notification from the Wetlands Bureau
is required.
STEPPING STONES
• When trails lie in low wet areas and the surrounding soil surface
is plagued with destruction due to users attempting to avoid
these areas.
• Stepping stones are the option of least environmental impact
that accomplishes the objective of protecting the environment
and providing dry passage.
• The ideal location for placing stepping stones is in shallow
streams with light to moderate water flows and should be
avoided where dangerous stream flooding may occur.
• Stepping stones minimize silting of water by decreasing stream bed and bank disturbance.
Guidelines
• When placing stepping stones, set stones approximately one and a half feet apart with the flat surface facing up.
• Stepping stones must begin before or at the edge of the stream to allow for dry passage that does not create
stream bank erosion from use and minimizes water undercutting into the bank.
• If the stepping stones are unsteady, they may not be set correctly or be large enough. Replace with larger stones.
• Stepping stones are generally appropriate for hiking and walking trails.
• Stagger stones to reduce potential damming of debris between the stones.
• Stepping stones are not universally accessible.
• The distance between stepping stones can be adjusted to accommodate the majority of users.
• Stepping stone surface area should be a minimum of one square foot in size.
• Wet areas or streams with soft mucky bottoms may not adequately support stepping stones.
FORDS
Definition
A shallow stream crossing that utilizes the streambed.
188
16
Appendix
• Use only on perennial streams having intermittent flow.
• Fording should be a last resort due to the potential impacts on water quality.
• Where the streambed is hard or easily hardened.
• Where recreational use in non-motorized.
• When no other stream crossing alternative is viable or permitted.
Guidelines
• Attempt to minimize extensive work within the streambed.
• Provide for a hardened stream bank to prevent bank erosion.
• Fording can generate bank erosion, disturb aquatic life, may be potentially dangerous for the user, and is illegal
for motorized use, if water turbidity is increased.
• Fording may create water quality problems due to the disturbing of the natural stability of the streambed.
• Pad made of large stone (stone ford) can allow water to pass through stones while hikers cross without coming
into contact with water.
BRIDGES
Culvert bridge
Definition
A permanent structure designed and constructed to transmit water under the trail.
• When topography or other circumstances make it necessary for a stream crossing.
• When a trail is frequented by a variety of different user groups.
• When planning for a universally accessible or multiple-use trail.
Guidelines
• Culvert size selection should be based upon the size of the drainage area of a watershed and should be able to
handle the largest potential stream flow, such as a ten-year storm flow.
• The length of the pipe will be determined by the width of the trail.
• Seat the pipe on undisturbed soil, backfill to half the diameter of the pipe with clean fill or stone, hand tamp,
and then cover the culvert with clean fill or stone to a depth of at least half the diameter of the pipe.
• Place the culvert on the same grade as the streambed, or lower, not above it. The minimum culvert grade for a
bridge is approximately 2-4%.
• Protect the upstream and
downstream end of the fill around
the culvert from erosion by the
placement of headers. The side
slopes can be further stabilized for
erosion control by seeding or
mulching or by placing riprap on
the slopes.
• One large culvert is preferred to
many small pipes.
• The culvert should be built with an emergency spillway, not located over the pipe.
17
189
Appendix
• Culverts should be at least 12" in diameter so that hand tools can be used to clean accumulated debris.
• Bridges can be a maintenance liability, whereas culverts are not as expensive and are easier to maintain.
NOTE: Culverts do require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep debris clear.
Constructed bridge
Definition
Structures designed to cross open water, wetlands, or ravines. A
variety of designs are employed but all generally involve fixing
both ends of the structure to dry land.
• When the water flow is such that it cannot be managed by culverts.
• When the terrain is not conducive to any other type of construction or there is a need to protect/maintain the
stream bed in an unaltered condition.
• Where seasonal water levels or expected use would prohibit the use of culverts as a form of water crossing.
Guidelines
• The preferred type of bridge is a structure incorporating sills, abutments, and wingwalls. Attempts should be
made to place the sills back from the top of the bank and have no work or materials within the banks (bank-tobank bridge).
• The bridge should span the total width of a stream and its adjacent flood plain.
• It is a good idea to be prepared for washouts by anchoring one end of the bridge with a cable, so that in the event
of the bridge being swept away, it can be retrieved and reset.
• Use large rocks or ledges as abutments whenever possible.
• For larger streams, complete hydrologic studies to compute peak flow rates for proper design of the bridge.
• A dredge and fill permit or notification is required for work within the body of a stream or waterbody, or within
the banks of a stream and in any adjacent seasonal wetlands.
• Bridges should use native materials compatible with the adjacent trail environment whenever possible.
• Construction of bridges is usually viewed as a last resort after all other options have been considered. Bank-tobank bridges (outside top of banks) are preferred.
• Because of the proximity to wetlands, it is especially important to have erosion-control measures in place
before bridge work begins.
• Rocks or crushed stone should be used as fill around logs to bring the trail surface up to the level of the bridge
deck to allow for drainage.
• Abutments, such as rock, logs, and sawn timbers should be firmly anchored into the stream bank and placed
parallel to the stream thread.
• There are many different types of bridges that can fulfill specific needs. Most of these bridges require consulting
with engineers.
² Wet Soil Crossings
General Guidelines
• Avoid constructing new trails through wet soils and consider rerouting those sections of existing trails that
cross wet soils.
• Trails located on wet soils may not be appropriate for frozen ground conditions.
18
190
Appendix
• When designing trails, attempt to provide alternative routes during wet seasons.
• Wet soil crossings require a permit or notification from the DES Wetlands Bureau.
STEPPING STONES
Refer to guidelines for stepping stones under “water crossings.”
Definition
Refers to any material which is laid down on a trail which lessens compaction of soil, provides a dry surface for
users, and prevents potential erosion and abrasion.
• It is necessary due to the natural surface being either damaged or destroyed.
• When the existing material is unstable and needs protecting and strengthening.
• When an environmentally sensitive area needs protection and the trail cannot be rerouted.
Guidelines
• The surface material to be used will depend on the kind and amount of use the trail receives.
• Ideally, native materials should be used as the surfacing material.
• When native materials cannot be acquired, materials which blend with and preserve the natural environment
should be used.
• In some cases, a single layer of surfacing will be sufficient. In other cases, a sub-base may be required, such as
in areas of wet ground and peat or on trails which flood easily. In these cases, the base is the load-bearing part
of the trail and will comprise the bulk of the material to be used and should have adequate drainage to keep the
surface dry.
• Each situation which requires surfacing will be unique. How the trail will be hardened will depend on the soil
type, slope, depth of the water saturation, the sensitivity of the environment, the trail’s expected use, and the
availability of native materials.
CORDUROY
Definition
A structural unit composed of a series of logs or other material placed
perpendicular on the trail to provide a method of crossing wet areas.
• Can be used as a temporary means of stabilizing a wet area
of the trail until more extensive construction can be arranged.
• Can be used on winter-use trails to protect wet areas which are
usually frozen but may soften occasionally during the winter months.
Guidelines
• Lay a mat of green brush, posts, or small logs parallel to the direction of the trail.
• Use geotextile fabric or other appropriate bedding if needed.
• Cover the mat with a series of logs laid side by side, perpendicular to the trail.
• The corduroy should be removed in the spring to prevent damage to the area and should be left in place during
the summer until drainage problems can be corrected or until trail rerouting can be completed.
• Cover logs with gravel to create the treadway.
19
191
Appendix
• An alternative to constructing corduroy is geotextiles with gravel cover.
• The construction of corduroy is a time-consuming construction which requires a large quantity of wood
and maintenance.
PUNCHEON
Definition
A footway, walkway, or travel corridor constructed of wood, usually logs, to provide a dry treadway on fragile, wet terrain.
• In bogs, mud flats, and marshy areas where there is frequently
little rock and the underlying soil is mucky or peaty and saturated
during part of the year when the trail may be in use.
• In areas prone to flooding, puncheons are not recommended as
they may float away.
Guidelines
• In trail planning and construction, attempt to avoid areas where this labor-intensive and highly impactive
technique is necessary.
• The simplest type of puncheon is a topped-log puncheon, made with two stringers that form the treadway and
set on top of two base logs that serve as the sills.
• Hew the timbers to make a flat walking surface and score the surface with an axe.
• Level each sill and cut notches where the stringers will be attached.
• Sills should be set 2" into the soil surface to provide for added stability.
• For stringer spans over 10', a center sill should be used.
• Natural rot-resistant wood such as cedar, spruce, and hemlock are preferred.
• Some puncheons can be constructed of native materials, while others may require milled lumber.
• Treated timber reduces the potential for decay.
BOARDWALKS
Definition
A fixed planked structure, usually built on pilings, erected in areas of wet soils or water to provide for dry crossing.
• When other forms of wet soil crossings are inappropriate due to the restriction of surface flow.
• In areas that are susceptible to flooding.
• In areas of fragile habitat such as bogs, where interpretive nature trails may be appropriate.
• Boardwalks are the recommended practice when attempting to provide universal accessibility on trails.
Guidelines
• All wood used in construction should be either pressure-treated or naturally rot-resistant species.
• The planks should be placed perpendicular to the direction of travel.
• The width of the boardwalk will depend on the expected use and whether the trail will be designed for one or
two-way travel.
192
20
Appendix
• Handrails may be added as a safety feature, depending on the expected use of the trail.
• Treated timber reduces potential for decay.
• Design standards are available for universally accessible boardwalks.
Floating boardwalks
Definition
A floating planked structure constructed on areas of wet soil to provide for dry crossing.
• In wet areas where the depth below the surface of which hardpan is found is such that it would be easier to build
a floating structure.
• In areas which are susceptible to flooding.
• In areas which may be used only seasonally and the structures will be removed.
Guidelines
• Floating boardwalks can be constructed of styrofoam, wood, or plastic barrels.
• See boardwalk guidelines.
• Side railing may be constructed, depending on boardwalk location and usage.
TURNPIKING, CROWNS, AND DITCHES
Definition
A raised section of the trail which usually consists of trenches on one or both sides to improve drainage on wet areas
of trail.
• In flat wet areas where soils are easily saturated or highly erodible.
• Where subsurface water is recurrent and the trail needs to be raised.
Guidelines
• Dig a drainage ditch on one or both sides of the causeway using the material removed to construct a crown or
turnpike to provide for dry trail surface.
• Crowns should be sloped 2-4% from the center line to the outside edges of the trail.
• The raised surface should consist of native materials.
• If necessary, reinforce the causeway with logs or rocks to provide extra stability.
• The topography of the land will generally dictate the types of soil that exist on the trail.
• The material removed from the ditches may not be appropriate for use in the construction of the turnpike,
crown, or ditch, and it may be necessary to bring in material from somewhere else.
• To improve water passage, use riprap as the base material underneath a geotextile mat with soil or sand placed
on top and use culverts where needed to provide proper cross-drainage.
21
193
Appendix
Assistance and References
Bureau of Trails
P.O. Box 1856
Concord, NH 03302-1856
(603) 271-3254
www.nhtrails.org
Department of Environmental Services
Water Division
Wetlands Bureau
P.O. Box 95, 29 Hazen Drive
(603) 271-2147
www.des.state.nh.us/wetlands
Division of Forests & Lands
Natural Heritage Bureau
P.O. Box 1856
(603) 271-3623
www.nhdfl.org
Technical Assistance Available
Assistance in using this manual may be obtained at the following locations from the local conservation district
serving each county throughout the state.
Belknap County Conservation District
Federal Building, Room 203
719 No. Main Street
Laconia, NH 03246
(603) 527-5880
Carroll County Conservation District
44 Main Street
P.O. Box 533
Conway, NH 03818
(603) 447-2771
Cheshire County Conservation District
11 Industrial Park Drive
Walpole, NH 03608
(603) 756-2988 X116
Merrimack County Conservation District
The Concord Center
10 Ferry Street, Box 312
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 225-6401
Coos County Conservation District
Box 235, RFD #2
Lancaster, NH 03584
(603) 788-4651
Rockingham County Conservation District
110 North Road
Brentwood, NH 03042
(603) 679-2790
Grafton County Conservation District
Swiftwater Road
RR2, Box 148B
Woodsville, NH 03785
(603) 747-2001
Strafford County Conservation District
259 County Farm Road
Unit 3
Dover, NH 03820
(603) 749-3037
Hillsborough County Conservation District
Chappell Professional Center
468 Route 13, South
Milford, NH 03055
(603) 673-2409 X9
Sullivan County Conservation District
24 Main Street
Newport, NH 03773-1500
(603) 863-4297
22
194
Appendix
Bibliography
Agate, Elizabeth. Footpaths, 1983, British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England.
Bureau of State Parks, Division of Outdoor Recreation, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation,
Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, 1992, Richmond, VA.
Cullen, J.B., 2000 Department of Resources and Economic Development, State of New Hampshire, Best
Management Practices for Erosion Control on Timber Harvesting Operation, Concord, NH.
Department of Ecology, State of Washington, Stormwater Management Manual for the Puget Sound Basin,
February, 1992, Olympia, WA.
Department of Environmental Services, State of New Hampshire, Best Management Practices to Control Nonpoint
Source Pollution: A Guide for Citizens and Town Officials, 1993, Concord, NH.
Division of Engineering and Operations Standards, Department of Transportation, State of Alaska, Contractor
Guidance for Preparing and Executing Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans, 1992, Juneau, AK.
Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Department of Conservation and Recreation, State of Virginia, Virginia
Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook, 1992, Richmond, VA.
Hartung, Robert and Kress, James, Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Woodlands
of the Northeast: Erosion and Sediment Control Guides, 1977, Broomall, PA.
Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Snowmobile Trails Manual, Laconia, NH.
Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation Handbook, 1993, Juneau, AK.
Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Standard Specifications for Construction of Trails, June,
1984, Washington, D.C.
McCoy, Michael and Stoner, MaryAlice., Mountain Bike Trails: Techniques for Design, Construction and
Maintenance, BikeCentennial, Missoula, MT.
Rockingham County Conservation District, Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture,
Stormwater Management and Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook for Urban and Developing Areas in New
Hampshire, 1992, Exeter, NH.
Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Engineering Field Handbook, October, 1992,
Washington, D.C.
23
195
Appendix
Appendix I.
Other Resources
RESOURCES (Publications)
Soil Stabilizers on Universally Accessible Trails
USDA Forest Service for USDOT, Federal Highway Administration. 2300 Recreation Management, September
2000. 0023-1202-SDTDC
Managing Degraded Off-Highway Vehicle Trails in Wet, Unstable, and Sensitive Environments
USDA Forest Service. 2300 Publication, October 2002. 0223-2821-MTDC
Geosynthetics for Trails in Wet Areas
USDA Forest Service. 2300 Recreation, August 2000. 0023-2838-MTDC
Wetland Trail Design and Construction
USDA Forest Service. 2300 Recreation, September 2001. 0123-2833-MTDC
Floating Trail Bridges and Docks
USDA Forest Service. 2300 Recreation, July 2002. 0223-2812-MTDC
BMP for Erosion Control on Timber Harvesting Operations in New Hampshire
UNH Cooperative Extension and N.H. Division of Forests & Lands
Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook, 2000 edition.
USDA Forest Service. 2300 Recreation, August 2000. 0023-2839-MTDC-P
196
24
Appendix
Appendix II.
Seeding Mixtures for Temporary Seedings1
For Excessively Well to Somewhat Poorly Drained Soils
Area/Purpose
Soil pH
Shade
AppropriateMixture2 (lbs./Ac.)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Roads
Trails
Landings
Burned Over
4.5-7.5
Heavy to None
Roads
Trails
Landings
5.5-7.5
Heavy to None
Roads
Trails
Landings
Wildlife
5.5-7.5
Moderate to None
Creeping Red Fescue
Redtop
Annual Ryegrass
Winter Rye
40
2
40
112
Seeding Dates. Seed disturbed areas as soon as possible. Seed as early in the spring as the ground can be
worked and in the late summer/early fall based on local recommendations.
1
On critical areas or droughty sites, apply hay or straw mulch at the of 90 lbs./1000 sq. ft. Anchor mulch on steep
slopes or where subjected to concentrated flow.
2
Appendix III.
Communities with Designated Prime Wetlands (as of December 2002):
Andover, Barrington, Bow, Brookline, Derry, Enfield, Exeter, Frement, Gilford, Holderness, Hooksett,
Meredith, Nashua, New London, Northwood, Pelham, Salem, Sanbornton, Sandwich, Tamworth, Weare
and Wolfeboro.
Prime wetlands are designated by a municipality according to the requirements of RSA 482-A:15 and Chapter Wt
700 of the DES administrative rules.
Typically, the evaluation method used is the “Method for Comparative Evaluation of Nontidal Wetlands in New
Hampshire” (1991) or “Method for the Evaluation and Inventory of Vegetated Tidal Marshes in New Hampshire”
(Coastal Method) (1993).
All projects that are in or adjacent to a prime wetland are classified as major projects. All major projects require a
filed inspection by DES and all prime wetland projects require a public hearing to be conducted by DES.
25
197
Appendix
Appendix IV.
Clues to Identifying Forested Wetlands
Wetlands perform many functions that are important to the health of our environment — they protect water quality in
our lakes and for drinking, help ensure adequate water supplies, and provide wildlife habitat, flood control, and
nurseries for finfish and shellfish. It is for these reasons that wetlands are protected under New Hampshire state law.
There are several types of wetlands in New Hampshire. Some wetlands have herbaceous plants – such as marshes,
wet meadows, and bogs. Wetlands that have woody plants or trees are forested wetlands or swamps, scrub-shrub
wetlands, bogs, and vernal pools. Since the state of New Hampshire is more than 80 per cent forested, and about 6
to 10 percent of the state is considered wetlands, there are a lot of forested wetlands in New Hampshire!
Wetlands are identified based upon three criteria; the presence of plants adapted to survive in wet soil conditions,
the presence of water at or near the surface for more than two weeks during the growing season, and the presence
of hydric soils. Although wetland identification may require a trained professional such as a wetland scientist, if
you have some knowledge of plants or a field guide, and good observation skills, you may be able to get an idea of
where wetlands are located.
The following questions are provided to guide you in observing some characteristics of forested wetlands. You will
need to know how to identify some plants to answer some of these questions. If you answer “yes” to one or more of
the following questions about a site, a forested wetland may be present on the property.
·
·
Do you see natural drainage routes, which are defined by a small channel or scouring?
Is the ground soggy or spongy under foot at any time during the growing season (May to September)?
·
·
Is Sphagnum moss present?
Do you see low spots or depressions where water lies or pools for more than seven days during the growing
season?
Does the ground have areas of depressions and mounds (also called pit and mound topography)?
Do you see springs or seeps? (Water may be trickling out of the ground.)
Do you see areas that cannot be crossed by vehicle, tractor, or other machinery because it might get stuck in
the soft, wet ground?
Do you see any water-stained leaves on the ground? (These look blacker than plain dry leaves.)
Do you see trees blown down (“windthrows”), which expose shallow but extensive root systems?
Do you see fine silt or sediment deposits on leaves on the ground or on stems or tree trunks?
Do you see drift lines where sticks, leaves and other water-carried debris have lodged against the base of
vegetation (especially on one side)?
Do you see any of these herbaceous plants: jewelweed, sensitive fern, cinnamon fern, royal fern, skunk
cabbage, jack-in-the-pulpit, goldthread?
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
·
198
26
Appendix
·
Do you see any of these shrubs present: highbush blueberry, winterberry holly, speckled alder, northern
·
arrowwood, silky or red-osier dogwood?
Do you see any of these deciduous trees present: black or green ash, American elm, black willow, swamp
·
white oak, red maple, silver maple, black gum, yellow or grey birch?
Do you see any of these evergreen or needle-bearing trees present: balsam fir, black spruce, larch or tamarack,
northern white cedar, or Atlantic white cedar?
·
·
Do you see a black organic layer (may look like decomposing leaves and roots) below the surface that is at
least 4 inches thick? (You will need to clear away some of the leaves and surface materials to observe this
characteristic.)
If you dig to a depth of 18 inches, is the soil color grayish or marked with rust-colored spots, streaks, or
lines of different color. (In agricultural fields, these characteristics are observed below the depth that a plow
·
can reach.)
If you dig a pit to a depth of 18 inches, does it fill with water or does water trickle down the inside? (You
may need to wait 20 minutes or so after you have dug the pit to observe this.)
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions about a site, a forested wetland may be present.
Most projects that propose impacts (of any size) to wetlands require a “dredge and fill” permit from the New
Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Wetlands Bureau. Contact the Wetlands Bureau for more
information:
NH DES Wetlands Bureau
29 Hazen Drive
PO Box 95
Concord NH 03302
Phone: (603) 271-2147
Fax: (603) 271-6588
www.des.state.nh.us/wetlands
email: [email protected]
27
199

Southern Gulf Off Road Park

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