DCNR secretary touts new ATV connector trail heading to Renovo

RENOVO, PA — Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn came to Renovo Monday to join in an update on the $1.2 million in state funding announced in December to help development of an ATV connector trail.

Speaking adjacent to near where the new 1.2 mile trail will end, Dunn said, “DCNR continues to recognize the desire of the ATV riding community to be able to travel long distances legally and without interruption and the positive effect such opportunities can have on local communities. This grant provides resources to further the connection between communities in the region and provide outdoor recreation opportunities to Pennsylvanians. We are pleased to make this announcement and look forward to seeing the impact of this grant for years to come.”

The county will use the grant for a portion of the ultimate Whiskey Springs to Bloody Skillet ATV Connector trail (that latter undertaking is many years from fruition). The new grant will provide for a new trail across private property which will link to DCNR land and when a trail on that portion is completed, ATV riders will be able to ride from Renovo to the New York state line. Officials said the project detailed Monday will be constructed in 2023, as will the section on Sproul State Forest land; open to ATVs in 2024. Work will include construction of approximately 1.25 miles of trail from Brewery Run Road to Sproul State Forest that will be ADA accessible and include other landscaping and site improvements.

Dunn thanked the multiple agencies involved in bringing the trail expansion to reality. She specifically thanked Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder for his role in the effort. Snyder was among those who offered comment on the project status, as did Henry Sorgen, president of the Central Mountain ATV Association.

“A few years ago, Secretary Dunn encouraged us to look at using private land to develop smaller ATV connector trails that would help close a few gaps and pave the way for the proposed Whiskey Springs to Bloody Skillet ATV Connector Trail,” said Clinton County Economic Partnership and Visitors Bureau Chamber/Tourism Director Julie Brenan. “This Brewery Run connector is a big response to that idea. As we participate in outdoor and travel shows around the state and beyond, ATV riding is what we talk to people about the most. They want places to ride, and we’ve got the space in Clinton County to make that happen.”