Conover hasn’t yet decided whether to change course on its plan for a federally-funded bike and snowmobile trial.
The Conover Town Center was packed and tempers flared last night during a special town board meeting called to discuss allowing ATVs on part of the trail route.
An ATV trail in Conover would connect trails between Eagle River and Phelps. But silent sport enthusiasts were concerned that motorizing the trail would be a danger to bikers, pedestrians, and equestrians alike.
Funding for the original non-motorized trail has already been lined up from the Department of Transportation and local snowmobile clubs. Dale Mayo, Parks & Recreation Administrator for Vilas County, says that funding comes with restrictions.
“Vilas County is not opposed to ATV, nor is it for ATV. It is not opposed to bikes, nor is it for bikes. I want everyone to understand that once you accept non-motorized money you cannot mix motorized traffic on it with the exception of snow mobiles in winter.”
Mayo assured residents that they would not lose the hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Department of Transportation if plans changed, but others were not convinced. Jeff Currie is the president of the bike advocacy group Great Headwaters Trail.
“There is already a $691,000 investment from that federal grant and a lot of the footing for future fundraising is going to come from how the town and the county shows that it honors and values and makes good use of that grant.”
Helping Conover businesses was at the forefront of the discussion. Will allowing ATVs to ride into town bring more customers to Conover businesses, or will a silent sports trail—with snowmobiles allowed in winter—be a bigger draw?
In the end, the board moved to meet again within a week after it has had a chance to discuss concerns and options with local businesses and Vilas county.
