Wheelers, or all-terrain vehicles, have long been a part of Borderland’s work and play.
That’s why we’re pleased to see local officials taking an interest in a visit by a Wisconsin man who is trying to draw attention to the need for safe and marked trails that boost visitorship and add an economic boost to small, rural communities like ours.
Borderland has vast resources for folks who like to use ATVs to recreate. We’ve already made some strides in making it easier for visitors and residents to get from trail to trail by allowing ATVs to travel at low speeds on the far shoulder of a county roadway. And International Falls not long ago approved routes that ATV riders may use to access local amenities, such as restaurants, lodging and gas stations.
It’s time for us to consider just how to use this growing market to support the tourism industry in our community.
Clearly, no one wants to see forestry and other gravel roads in our community damaged by free-wheelin’ folks who may not understand the value of these roads to our livelihoods.
But designating more trails, such as the Blue Ox ATV Trail, can keep that from happening. The Blue Ox runs on an abandoned railroad grade and traverses scenic black spruce swamps and upland aspen stands and features an array of wildlife. The communities of International Falls, Littlefork, Big Falls and Northome are connected by the trail, which crosses the Littlefork and Bigfork rivers using old trestles.
We’ve grown accustom to how snowmobile trails play an important role in winter tourism, giving the communities connected by the trails an economic boost from residents and visitors.
It’s time to apply this same kind of thinking to ATV trails. And Koochiching County has the kind of resources to do just that.
This week, Larry Koch, of Siren, Wis., found a great way to draw our attention to the resources we have in our backyard. Now, it’s time to figure out a way to see his dream for more safe, marked trails that will boost local economies move forward.
