This article was taken from The Shwano Leader it is the local news paper in Shawano County

Potential county-wide ATV trail system in early stages of planning

A permanent trail system in Shawano County has long been a dream of ATV enthusiasts, but now there is an actual proposal being explored that could make the dream a reality.

As currently envisioned, the trail system would connect the Embarrass River ATV Park and Campground in Tigerton with Oconto County’s trail system using easements from the American Transmission Company’s power line project.

It is also hoped the trail system could make use of the Novitiate property in the town of Richmond, part of which would be turned into an ATV park under the proposal.

The proposal is still in the preliminary stage and there are a number of bridges to cross before it can go forward, including property appraisals and negotiations.

But it is the first time the idea of a countywide trail system has ever progressed this far, according to Wendy Hafner, president of the Happy Trails ATV Club.

“Much more progress than we’ve had in the past,” Hafner said. “We actually have something formed.”

Hafner said the community has been asking for an ATV trail system in the county for years.

“It would mean a lot of tourism dollars would stay right here,” she said. “It would also mean a very great family sport would be able to be done right here locally instead of having to travel away to do it.”

The main objective of the Happy Trails ATV Club, which was established in 2003, has been to establish a trail system in the county.

The Shawano County Planning and Development Department is planning on informational meeting Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. on the potential development of a countywide ATV trail, said County Planner Melinda Barlow.

“We’re looking at ways to connect the Tigerton ATV park to the several hundred miles of trails in Oconto County and have a designated countywide ATV trail,” she said.

As proposed, the trail would cut across the county making use of American Transmission Co. easements.

“As we were looking at potential routes, we found the ATC easement does pretty much provide a logical connection from Tigerton to the trails of Oconto County,” Barlow said.

The Aug. 25 informational meeting will mainly be for the benefit of property owners that have land with an ATC easement.

Representatives from the DNR and Wisconsin ATV Association, as well as state Rep. Gary Tauchen (R-Bonduel) are scheduled to be a part of the informational meeting.

Barlow said the possibility of a trail using ATC easements has already been discussed with ATC.

“They are not opposed to it as long as the property owners are in agreement with it,” she said.

“It just seemed like a recreational opportunity that we don’t provide for very well in Shawano County,” Barlow said. “There’s a huge economic impact. To get those tourism dollars here in Shawano County would be great. And a lot of our residents are ATV-ers.”

As part of the proposed trail system, the county is also exploring the possibility of purchasing part of the Novitiate property for trail use and an ATV park. The idea would be to connect the site with the ATV park in Tigerton.

Barlow said there are DNR funds available for land acquisition and property development for ATV use and for ATV trail maintenance.

The idea of using the Novitiate property was first floated last year, but neither the county or property owners could agree on an appraisal.

“Our appraisal was too low for the owners and their appraisal was too high for us,” said County Administrative Coordinator Frank Pascarella.

The Novitiate was built in the late 1930s and was given in the 1950s to the former Alexian Brothers order for use as a training center. The property has changed hands a number of times over the years.

The current owners put the property up for sale in 2005, but bids at an auction were rejected for not meeting the minimum.

Pascarella said there have been talks with the property owners about new appraisals, but this time those appraisals would separate the former Novitiate building itself from the rest of the property.

“We’re looking at it in another light rather than as one property,” Pascarella said. “One appraisal for the ag land that adjoins the town of Richmond’s park and one for the building property.”

Pascarella said the process — including finding an appraiser both parties can agree on and subsequent negotiations — could take six months to a year. Currently the county’s Capital Improvement Projects and Highway and Parks committees are exploring the option.

“This is still very preliminary,” Pascarella said.