Get involved in a local trail club

To the editor: Did you ever wonder how those ATV/UTV and snowmobile trails appear each year just in time for riding fun? Club volunteers spend countless hours working with landowners, putting up signs, brushing trails and getting grooming equipment ready. All clubs are volunteer groups and are always looking for new members. You may ask why you should join a club. First off, it is a lot of fun interacting with others who share your passion for motorized recreation. You also get to join your voice with the club and state organizations who work hard to keep trails open as anti-motorized groups push to achieve their goals. Prospective club members often ask how involved they have to be if they join. The easy answer is as involved as you want to be. Some club members may brush trails, run grooming equipment, help with fundraisers or hold leadership positions. Others just want to be social members who participate in the fun activities. The Oconto County Snowmobile Alliance consists of nine clubs: Oconto Falls Snow Jokers, Bagley and Brazeau Joyriders of Klondike, Chase Sno-Chasers, Gillett Sno and ATV Riders, Lena Snow Drifters, Chute Pond Snowmobile Club, Paul Bunyan Riders of Lakewood and Red Arrow Snowmobile ATV Club of Townsend. The Iron Snowshoe Snowmobile Club of Marinette County also belongs to the alliance. These clubs spend nearly 10,000 volunteer hours each year preparing, brushing and grooming the 475 miles of trail in the county. ATV/UTV Clubs in Oconto County include the Dusty Trails ATV Club in Mountain, Hidden Bear Trail ATV Club in the Lakewood/Riverview/Doty area, Crooked Trail Riders ATV Club in Crooked Lake and the Oconto Area ATV Club in Oconto. Red Arrow in Townsend and Gillett Snow & ATV riders in Gillett are year-round clubs that have members who either snowmobile or ATV/UTV and some who enjoy both. These clubs are responsible for about 450 miles of interconnected summer trails and routes. Overall coordination of the county wide trail systems is the responsibility of the Oconto County Parks and Recreation Department. More information about trail maps, the clubs and links to their websites can be found at www.ocontocounty.org. Even if you don’t ride a sled, ATV or UTV but own a business or just want to get involved, we welcome your assistance. Thanks for your support, and see you on the trail! John Brantmeier, Townsend, Oconto County Snowmobile Alliance president