ORA seeks members for a new ATV Association

In the wake of releasing the findings of the ATV trail feasibility study, the Oil Region Alliance is looking for potential members of the newly created  Oil Region ATV Association. 

The 15-member association, which was formed in January, is a standalone organization that will provide technical assistance for the possible development of an ATV trail using public roadways in Venango County. 

Potential board members, especially those with expertise and skills such as financial, legal, and marketing experience can contact Kim Harris at [email protected], 814-677-3152 or send a letter of interest to 217 Elm St., Oil City, PA 16301.

The creation of the board is the first outcome of the Oil Heritage Valley Trail Feasibility Study, which was commissioned by the ORA. ​

More than 1,200 responses were received during the study, which considered the following key factors:

• Unprecedented interest, investment in motorized recreation utilizing All Terrain and Utility Vehicles (ATV/UTV) within the region;
• The decreasing snowfall required to support snowmobile trail touring and growing interest in alternatives for outdoor recreation that extends throughout the year;
• Emerging technological and mechanical advancements that accommodate trail exploration in large groups and as families;
• Maximized diversity, equity and inclusion can be achieved through motorized recreation by extending recreation years of younger and older participants, no gender biased and accommodates people of all ages, abilities and endurance levels;
• Recognition of the massive economic value that is leaking out to other states that already provide motorized community connector trails and large-scale community connector heritage and touring trail systems. The Oil Region can serve as a recreational hub that can attract visitors from surrounding states.

​The "majority" of respondents were in favor of ATV trails in Venango County, according to a press release from the ORA. 

"The study confirmed that this is a highly desired form of outdoor recreation. Most (respondents from the region) are current riders and over half report 15-plus years of riding experience. Yet ATV/UTV trails are among the most underserved and underdeveloped trail systems within the commonwealth," according to the executive summary of the study. The full summary is available on the ORA website.

“This has taken a great deal of time to go through, and we need to move forward positively,” said Harris, Oil Region Alliance Outdoor Recreation Program Manager. She emphasized incidents or riders traveling on private property can hinder some of the progress being made in developing a trail.

Despite the large support for creating a trail, no private landowners have come forward to have trails developed on their property. Therefore, public roads are being identified to create a “trail” that would allow ATV users to traverse the county.

“We have wanted to develop an ATV trail in Venango County for quite some time and recognize the potential economic impact it could have on our region,” said John Phillips, ORA president. 

Any landowners interested in learning more about ATV trail development can contact Harris. There are different means of partnering for the trail, including easements and sales of portions of property or entire parcels that private individuals may not be aware of when considering allowing trail development on their land.