The Nelsonville City Council is considering measures that would allow all-terrain vehicles on city streets.
At the present time, ATVs are not allowed on the city streets because there is no way to purchase a license plate for them, said Lt. Jeffrey Skinner of the Ohio Highway Patrol, adding if the city were to enact a city ordinance excusing this, his department would respect its provisions.
Nelsonville, along with other local organizations, began considering the ordinance after hearing of Hatfield-McCoy Trail System's success. The collection of trails commissioned in 2000 by the West Virginia legislature to boost tourism in nine counties is open to off-road vehicles and hikers and started an economic boom in the region.
Athens County is already a preferred destination for riders. Bill Kaepner, a spokesperson for the Ohio Motorized Trails Association based in Logan, said Wayne National Forest has excellent trails for ATV riders. Covering 67,224 acres of the county, the forest has been listed in numerous ATV publications as one of the best trail systems in Ohio.
If (Nelsonville) finds creative ways to give more people access to our trails
we support that Gary Chancey, the public affairs officer for Wayne, said.
With 71 miles of ATV - specific trail in its Athens unit alone, and 41 miles in its Ironton unit, the national forest welcomes all ATV riders, he said, adding that more trails are on the way.
The still-developing Kosmos project will designate 26 miles of old roads in the Kosmos Cement Plant region for all-terrain and off-road vehicle use, Chancey said. The project is an example of the park is trying to increase ATV traffic.
However, Chancey also mentioned the downsides of more ATVs. ATVs damage the trails more than other vehicles and mud bogging could become a problem, he said.
Mud bogging entails driving through a large body of water not on the trail, deepening the hole and scattering the water. Chancey said despite prevention attempts, the organization also must maintain the trails in the winter.
Still, Nelsonville sees the Wayne trail system as its main source of potential tourism because of its proximity, said Kevin Dotson, vice president of Nelsonville City Council. He added by allowing riders to drive around town, they'd be able to shop and help the local economy.
It would be an absolute boom for Nelsonville. They have a huge natural resource sitting at their door step said Karry Gemmell, the owner of Ohio ATV World in Athens. He said many forest preserves have trails for ATVs, but little access to amenities, and Wayne could have such
access with Nelsonville so close.
Ohio ATV World is another local group that could benefit from Nelsonville's efforts. The company rents ATVs to riders for the Wayne trail system and provides lessons for first time riders.
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Members of the Ohio Motorized Trails Association, based in Logan, ride ATVs in Wayne National Forest
