Economic revitalization and expanded recreational opportunities

Pennsylvania boasts the 3rd largest ATV population in the country. Existing public ATV trails (in both mileage and quality) are limited. With estimates of over 300,000 all terrain vehicles in the state, the current 229 miles of trails in the State Forest system are inadequate both in quantity and quality for the demand of today's users. The Commonwealth needs to expand its current motorized recreational trail system to meet today's growing demand. RidgeRIDER™'s systematic approach to developing a network of multi-use, motorized trails provides a viable solution in offering a wide variety of recreation opportunities in a relatively small area. Well-planned and developed ATV parks and their visitors inject millions of dollars into local economies across the country every year. These parks and other recreation areas are provide increased recreation opportunities and make particular regions more attractive in which to live and work. According to the publication Pennsylvania's ATV Riders and Their Needs (Lord, Elmendorf, & Strauss, 2004), day and overnight trips within the Commonwealth are more common than out of state trips. Pennsylvania's high number of registered ATVs makes it logical that favorable economic impacts would result from a well-developed ATV park in the region. The very same natural resources that built this region can play a key role in its revitalization as quality of life increases and the economy develops through recreation and tourism, which is arguably the leading industry in Pennsylvania.