Blackwell ATV Connector Trail Dedication

On Friday, November 30, 2012, the Blackwell ATV Connector trail was dedicated.  The dedication took place at the trail head.  The trail is now complete and was made possible from a grant from the Nicolet National Forest Eastside Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), in the amount of $20,000.00 and a matching grant from Yamaha in the amount of $8,000.00 that was awarded to the Forest County ATV Association (FCATVA.) In addition, the Town of Blackwell provided $500.00 for the project.  The funding that was provided by RAC, Yamaha, and the Town of Blackwell was used to improve existing Forest Service classified and unclassified roads for ATV travel from the Nicolet State Trail to Blackwell.  The completion of this section of trail links the Forest County ATV routes and trails with Marinette County ATV trails. Following the dedication of the trail, a ceremony and luncheon was held in the County Board Room at the Forest County Courthouse with various state and local legislators attending as well as representatives from the various partner agencies.

Forest County ATV President Jack Matuszewski welcomed the 32 people present at the
dedication  ceremony that took place at the Forest County Courtroom Board Room.  President
Matuszewski expressed his thanks to the partner agencies as well as the officers of the ATV Club, Vice-President John McCullough, Secretary Jeannie Weyers, and Treasurer Jim Hausinger.  He gave special recognition to those members of the ATV Club who played a role in brushing and signing the new trail.

Speaker Joe Yakey of Antigo Yamaha stated that he was proud to represent the Yamaha Corporation in the awarding of the grant for the purpose of completing the trail as well as acknowledging that the completion of this trail will help businesses in the area by purchasing gas, food, and lodging in the area.  Representative Jeff Mursau congratulated the FCATVA as well as the partner agencies by working together to complete the trail and to assist the North Woods by enhancing their trail system and promoting tourism in the North Woods.
Evan Miller of the U.S. Forest Service recalled the history of discussions that took place approximately four years ago regarding the development of this segment of trail and recognized the effort it took among his agency as well as the FCATVA to bring this project to completion.

Forest County Board Chairman, Paul Millan, thanked the agencies responsible for their coordination in making this trail system a reality in Forest County that will also help the growth of economic development in the area.

Terry Coplein, Northeast Regional  Coordinator for the Wisconsin ATV Association shared comments about  the positive relationship that exists between the  FCATVA, the state, the county, and other agencies and stated that he and President Randy Harden will continue to play a supportive role in helping to establish ATV routes and trails in the North Woods of Wisconsin.

Dave Ziolkowski, Forest Administrator-ATV-Snowmobile Coordinator for Forest County ,who  has played a vital role in working with the FCATVA,  expressed his gratitude in working with the FCATVA and the U.S. Forest Service to complete this segment of trail, and stated that  he will continue to work with the FCATVA in the building and maintaining of routes and trails in Forest County.

President Matuszewski  provided closing remarks as well as also acknowledging  that the completion of this project increases ATV riding opportunities and promotes tourism in the Forest County area. He also stated that the Blackwell Connector Trail is an excellent example of cooperation and collaboration among the U.S. Forest Service, the RAC Committee, the Yamaha Corporation, the Town of Blackwell and the FCATVA.  Lunch was served following the ceremony.