TXTEAMMTXTEAMMTeXas Trails Education And Motorized ManagementTeXas Trails Education And Motorized Management

OHV Park 101OHV Park 101OrOr

Everything you’d want to know about Everything you’d want to know about running an OHV parkrunning an OHV park

( almost! )( almost! )

I have the land and I know that there are a I have the land and I know that there are a lot of offroaders who want to use it, but…lot of offroaders who want to use it, but…

• Should I just open my gate and let them build the trails themselves?• How do you build trails for offroading?• What about the liabilities?• How much do I charge? • What kinds of rules do I need – and how do I enforce them?• What about an office? restrooms? signs? • Where will they park to unload? How much room do I need for that?• How do I keep track of them once they’re on the property?

And the list goes on and on…if the questions seem overwhelming, don’t despair…

Just remember these few simple ideas Just remember these few simple ideas about offroad recreation…about offroad recreation…

• Other states have been doing this for years. There is no need to “reinvent the wheel”.

• They should be considered

“tourists”. They want & need the same things all other tourists want.

• As with any other sector of the public, they need management.

• They need trails – to suit a variety of age/skill levels.

• You’ll need to give them rules and regulations specific to your land/trails.

• Most are very family oriented – they are not all “beer swilling Bubba’s”.

There are many state and national There are many state and national

organizations to help youorganizations to help you… … TexasTexas ParksParks andand WildlifeWildlife

DepartmentDepartmentRecreational Trails DivisionRecreational Trails Division Funding through federal gas tax rebate grant programFunding through federal gas tax rebate grant program

Recreational Grants DivisionRecreational Grants Division Funding through recreational and community Funding through recreational and community

development programs/grantsdevelopment programs/grants

OHV ProgramOHV Program Provides assistance in developing, managing and Provides assistance in developing, managing and

advertising OHV recreational opportunitiesadvertising OHV recreational opportunities Funding through state decal program grantsFunding through state decal program grants

Inland Fisheries Division Inland Fisheries Division Provides assistance and approval for Local River Provides assistance and approval for Local River

Access Plans (LRAPs) Access Plans (LRAPs)

The NOHVCC is a national non-profit organizationwith state representatives. They are devoted to helpingpromote a positive image and future for off-highwayvehicle recreation. A virtual storehouse of information

for operating, maintaining and supportingmotorized recreation of all kinds.

TreadTread LightlyLightly! ! PrinciplesPrinciples

T - T - Travel and Recreate with Minimum ImpactTravel and Recreate with Minimum Impact R – R – Respect the Environment and the Rights of Respect the Environment and the Rights of

OthersOthers E – E – Educate Yourself, Plan and Prepare Before Educate Yourself, Plan and Prepare Before

You You

GoGo A – A – Allow for the Future Use of the OutdoorsAllow for the Future Use of the Outdoors

(leave it better than you found it!)(leave it better than you found it!) D- D- Discover the Rewards of Responsible Discover the Rewards of Responsible

RecreationRecreation

Other national groups Other national groups include:include:

The American Motorcyclist Association The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)(AMA)

Can provide political, statistical, legal and funding Can provide political, statistical, legal and funding informationinformation

The ATV Institute of America (ASI)The ATV Institute of America (ASI) Can provide free safety training for ATV usersCan provide free safety training for ATV users ATV safety training is required for all public land ATV safety training is required for all public land

users in Texas users in Texas Keep America BeautifulKeep America Beautiful Has a state affiliate, “Keep Texas Beautiful”Has a state affiliate, “Keep Texas Beautiful” Provides organization for litter pick-up, free trash Provides organization for litter pick-up, free trash

bags, advertising in local newspapersbags, advertising in local newspapers

The Basic SixThe Basic Six

1.1. Land, what kind and how muchLand, what kind and how much

2.2. User group, M/C’s, ATV’s, 4x4’s or any User group, M/C’s, ATV’s, 4x4’s or any combination of these threecombination of these three

3.3. TrailsTrails

4.4. Rules and RegulationsRules and Regulations

5.5. InfrastructureInfrastructure

6.6. Legal issuesLegal issues

First and foremost, consider the type of land you are using…..

And just how much of it you want to devote to offroad use…. Off highway motorcycles (OHM’s) and ATV’s

need the most acreage 4x4’s need less acreage but more elevation

change All three disciplines will need more acreage than

each one individually OHM’s and ATV’s can sometimes use 4x4 trails,

but rarely is it vice versa

Some land needs more management than others…… Sand dunes have

open riding, no trails No trails to follow

means more management of the individual

The need for stricter rules and regulations

Other land can almost help manage itself… Trails systems help keep

users contained Thickly wooded/desert

cactus areas can keep trailblazing to a minimum

Long, scenic trails help keep users satisfied and coming back

You must balance the user groups with the type You must balance the user groups with the type and amount of land you have availableand amount of land you have available

OHM’s travel OHM’s travel quickest of all quickest of all users, prefer to users, prefer to utilize single tracks utilize single tracks

ATV’s can travel ATV’s can travel either slow or fast, either slow or fast, prefer to utilize prefer to utilize double tracks double tracks

Both these user Both these user groups need long groups need long trailstrails

4x4’s travel slow, 4x4’s travel slow, leave the largest leave the largest “footprint” of all“footprint” of all

4x4’s need/want 4x4’s need/want drastic elevation drastic elevation changeschanges

Can utilize shorter Can utilize shorter trails if topography trails if topography is sufficientis sufficient

Trails and Trail SystemsTrails and Trail Systems

• The trails should be designed by professionals for maximum sustainability and to minimize liability

• Trails should be always be marked with the proper signage

• Trails should be mapped • Trail users can be utilized as a volunteer labor

force• Trails can be rated for skill level • Trails can be utilized by both motorized and non-

motorized users ( horses and hikers love OHV trails! )

Rules and Regulations are:Rules and Regulations are:• to insure the safety

of your visitors • to limit your liability• to maintain the

proper use of the land

• tailored to the user groups, land management practices and legal requirements

• in written form

• signed by all users, especially for minors

• kept on file• enforced when

necessary• have definite

consequences for non-compliance

• posted near the office check in area or at the trailhead

Minimum InfrastructureMinimum Infrastructure• Office/check-in area From a minimum of a drop box near a gate to a check –in office

with a retail outlet attached. • Good fencing or some other type of containment method• Restrooms This can be as minimal as portable restrooms - to restrooms

with showers attached.• Marked trails system (except in sand dunes) Mapped and/or marked with signage• Staging area This is an area designated for loading and unloading. Size will depend upon type of vehicles and usage patterns.

*** Maximum infrastructure is limited only by your budget and creativity – but don’t price yourself out of your market!

Texas’ New OHV Trail & Texas’ New OHV Trail & Recreational Area ProgramRecreational Area Program

SB 1311 adopted by 79SB 1311 adopted by 79thth Legislature of Legislature of Texas Texas

Established a decal program to be Established a decal program to be administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. (TPWD) Dept. (TPWD)

Funds gathered to be used for establishing Funds gathered to be used for establishing OHV recreation sites, maintenance of a OHV recreation sites, maintenance of a public system of trails, improving existing public system of trails, improving existing trails and recreational sites and education trails and recreational sites and education on the responsible use of OHV’son the responsible use of OHV’s

Cost $8 first year, annual renewal in Cost $8 first year, annual renewal in SeptemberSeptember

Required for use on all public lands or Required for use on all public lands or lands purchased or developed under either lands purchased or developed under either the RTF or state grant program. the RTF or state grant program.

TeXas Trails Education AndTeXas Trails Education AndMotorized Management Motorized Management

(TXTEAMM)(TXTEAMM) Is recognized by :

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.