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Park Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicles

The Park Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicles, an expansive 200-page illustrated manual, is the only publication of its kind.

From National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

	Scene on the Redbird State Riding Area developed by the state of Indiana.

One of the most popular "tools" that the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) has to offer is currently going into its second printing. The Park Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicles, an expansive 200-page illustrated manual, is the only publication of its kind and has been used by hundreds of ATV and off-highway motorcycle enthusiasts since it was first published in 2002.

Nila Armstrong, Streams and Trails Specialist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, was one of the first land managers to obtain a copy of the Park Guidelines. "I found the book to be extremely valuable for our project," says Armstrong, who was the main driving force behind the creation of a new OHV park in southern Indiana called Redbird State Riding Area (SRA) in 2003. "We found the OHV user survey in the appendix especially helpful as a starting point for developing the park. The marketing tips for dealing with the public and various state lawmakers was also a 'must-have' as far as I'm concerned."

Professional trail designer Troy Scott Parker from Boulder, Colorado utilized Park Guidelines to help develop the tentatively-named Rock Run Recreation Area in west central Pennsylvania. "I got the manual from NOHVCC because I didn't know anything about OHV trails or parks when I first started the Rock Run project," says Parker, whose main area of expertise at that time was hiking trails. "It's a great resource on what it takes to make an OHV park happen and work. I backed it up by visiting several successful OHV parks throughout the country and that gave me a chance to see all the issues the book talks about firsthand. I could see how reading this book could save a lot of people a lot grief before they embark on an OHV park project." Currently, the Pennsylvania recreation area is on the fast-track to completion according Parker and could open as soon as next year.

Summary of the Guidelines

• Answers common questions that arise when development of an off-highway vehicle (OHV) park is desired or proposed;

• Provides information to the OHV public on community planning and coalition building necessary to promote local OHV park planning efforts and to develop local public support for an OHV park;

• Provides information and resources to the OHV public, youth group leaders and governmental agencies that encourage and assist them in the development of youth activities, safety training, and environmental programs at OHV parks;

• Provides information that assist governmental agencies and the private sector in planning, designing, funding, operating and maintaining new OHV parks and upgraded existing parks to meet the needs and desires of the OHV recreation community while addressing environmental and general public concerns; and

• Offers ideas and resources and suggestions to managing governmental agencies and private owners of OHV parks that will enhance ongoing activities and encourage development of additional park programs.

NOHVCC also has an Urban Park CD that is a PowerPoint presentation that can assist you when you approach your community, zoning meetings, etc. They also have a list of individuals that have already developed parks and could be contacted if you have specific questions.

Park Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicles is one of the few publications from NOHVCC that has a cost ($45 plus $6 shipping and handling). To place orders contact the NOHVCC home office at 800-348-6487 or by email at trailhead@nohvcc.org or by visiting their website at www.nohvcc.org for payment by check or credit card.

The report is also available from the National Recreation and Park Association at www.nrpa.org, click on NRPA Store, and look for Park Planning Guidelines for Off-Highway Vehicles. The book costs $31.50 for NRPA members, and $45 for non-members. This book is not available through the FHWA Report Center.

April 28, 2005

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