By MATT LINDSEY

With the snow gone from most of St. Lawrence County, ATV riders are anxious for trails to open. However, ATV enthusiasts shouldn’t head out on any trails until they are officially open and completely dry, the St Lawrence County Trail Board cautions.

“Trail openings depend a lot on what the weather is doing,” Tony Arquiett, D-Helena, said, noting, “We need warmer weather to dry up these trails.”

Deb Christy, St. Lawrence County Trail Coordinator, reports she is receiving calls and emails daily asking when ATV trails open. Christy encourages those interested in finding out about trail openings to watch for press releases, follow St. Lawrence Trails Facebook page, and contact local ATV clubs or dealers.

“The majority of the trails are maintained by ATV club volunteers, and it is the landowners and trail coordinators who determine when the trails are suitable to ride on,” said St. Lawrence County Legislator Joel LaPierrre, R-Gouverneur. “Trails usually open May 15, but will be later this year due to saturated soils.” Once the ground dries and conditions permit, work will proceed with grading and trail hardening followed by a press release with the opening date.

The Brasher Community Connector Recreational Trail was established last summer to provide access to multiple trails and businesses. ATV fans took full advantage of the opening of Brasher Forest using a designated route on the multi-use trail from North Lawrence to Helena.

The trail also makes nature more accessible.

"When you have a disability and you can't hike or bike into the forest, you may be able to ride an ATV," Arquiet said.

A goal of the trail is to spur economic development in St. Lawrence County, Christy said.

“Helena General Store, The Pit Stop Diner in North Lawrence, Jelly Bean Campground in Brasher, Lamphere’s Market in Hopkinton, and Kunoco in Parishville all on the trail, along with Fun Unlimited in Fowler are just some of the businesses that had increased sales this year,’ she said.

A new campground was added on Lake Ozionia Road the same year the multi-use trail opened here.

“We have 19 businesses in 11 towns that are positively impacted by the current multi-use trail,” Christy said.

Legislator LaPierre said there are too many to acknowledge all the people who have gotten the trail to where it is today.

“There have been many obstacles overcome and we all have strived for a multi-use trail system that all St. Lawrence County residents and visitors can enjoy,” he said. “From ATV’s, horse trails, dog sledding, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, hiking and just enjoying the great outdoors that St. Lawrence County has to offer. We all look forward to the day when St. Lawrence County has a multi-use trail system running from Lewis County to Franklin County and connecting many of our towns along the way.”

The St. Lawrence County Pilot Trail has been open since 2008. The easternmost section of the trail opened in 2013 in Parishville and Hopkinton connecting to the Franklin County line. The Brasher Community Connector through Stockholm to North Lawrence opened in 2016 and final connection through Brasher Forest to Helena in 2017 completed 112 miles of current trail which will open soon.

“Local municipalities of Brasher, Lawrence, Stockholm, Hopkinton and Parishville have embraced the ATV movement,” Christy said.

To date, no complaints or accidents have been reported to the county or the towns where the trail is located.

“The focus will remain a multi-faceted approach to public safety and resource conservation consisting of education, awareness, safety training, monitoring and a community oriented approach to policing which has resulted in positive results,” she said “The county legislators believe that all stakeholders working together in partnership will help achieve the long term goal of providing a safe trail that conserves natural resources, promotes families enjoying the out of doors together and economic prosperity for our region.”

As part of the development of the primary multi-use trail, the county legislators, county trail board and its partners are reviewing alternate trail segments.

Christy and trail board members have been attending town meetings one by one for Pierrepont, Canton, Russell, Hermon, Edwards, and Pitcairn presenting first to the town boards for their review followed by public meeting for comments.

St Lawrence County Trails Board continues to work with NYSDEC, Molpus Timberland Investment and county representatives reviewing the corridor trail last October and have plans for installing gates.

Free maps of the trail system include trail rules, etiquette and safety guidelines and tips for trail users. The trail map shows six ATV areas with kiosks displaying a map and rules of the trail, and space for parking, unloading and loading vehicles. Maps are located at area businesses and the St. Lawrence County Chamber.

The trail committee, county chamber, and Nature Up North are working on a new county recreational website that will have information on all types of trails in St. Lawrence County. The goal is to have an announcement this summer for the website launch date.

“This trail would not be where it is today without our trail partners,” Christy said.

The Trails Advisory Board consists of representatives, volunteers and advisors from: SLC Board of Legislators, Wide Variety of Trail User Groups, SLC Soil & Water Conservation/County Foresters, NYS Dec, Sportsmen Groups, Local Business, SLC Highway Dept., NYS DOT, Private Landowners/Managers, Law Enforcement Agencies, SLC Chamber Of Commerce, Town Council Members.