Trail Inspection News

The attached file will be posted on the website and needs to be made available to all clubs in your county or district. It is an explanation of trail hazards that might be identified in a trail inspection. The second focus of trail inspections is trail hazards. That is a very subjective area, and needed definition so that clubs and inspectors know exactly what they are looking for. There is a perception by some that this effort is only going to make things harder for clubs.

Links:

• Trail Inspection Information
• Trail Hazard Information

As a leader in your county or district, you have the opportunity to make club perception positive by being positive in how it is presented to clubs. Be assured that this inspection program and the details of it is the result of meetings with Parks. They have been involved every step of the way and agree with the provisions of the program. If program goals are kept in mind - trail safety and trail maintenance guidelines - our trails will be safer, the riding experience of all snowmobilers in New York will be better, and accountability will be identified. It is my hope that all take the positive approach.

Clubs need to know what to expect and how best to prepare for it. Those clubs that have made an effort to follow guidelines that have been in existence for several years should view these new guidelines as something that is easy to accomplish. Please keep in mind that there is a two-year compliance in these guidelines. Everything that is supposed to be observed this season will be documented, but compliance is a 2-year project. However, each club needs to look at safety out on the trail as the guiding principle. At this point, there are three documents that clubs need: intersection signing guidelines, club preparation for inspections, and trail hazards. Let me know if you need anything else.

We are now approaching 180 applicants to be trail inspectors. There is a great deal of enthusiasm by inspectors as they go back to their own clubs to help them prepare for this season. Parks has ordered 600 Junction Ahead signs that will be distributed at the November meeting. These signs will be distributed proportionately by mileage of funded trail. It definitely will not satisy all needs, but should at least make a start. Additional reflectors will also be made available, and can go on all intersection guideposts, not just those corridor trail with corridor trail. Parks does not want reflectors on signs featuring commercial information. 5" X 7" brown plastic will also be at the next meeting that can be used for homemade intersection identification signs. Please let me know of questions and concerns. Dave