Mini-ATV trail considered
LUZERNE TWP. – There could be a track for miniature all-terrain vehicles at Patsy Hillman Park this summer, according to park board president Frank Ricco. Gerald Trainer of Westmoreland County is interested in leasing a site at the park to develop a children’s ATV track where he would rent mini-quads and safety equipment.
“He’s looking at putting in a youth track up where we had the mud bog, probably for kids under 10,” Ricco said. “It will be supervised.”
Trainer said the tot track will be designed for children ages three to 10 or 12, using their own equipment or renting from him. Trainer said all riders will be required to wear safety equipment, either his or their own.
“It has to be safe for everyone,” Trainer said.
Trainer said he would also like to construct a beginner motorcross track next to the tot track, giving riders a place where they can learn to handle their ATV’s and dirt bikes.
“Once we get those under way, we want to put quad tracks in through the woods. We want to make it family-oriented,” Trainer said.
Trainer said he would like to have bike nights and car cruises at the site, giving local charitable organizations an opportunity to raise money by selling food.
“We’re trying to make an attraction and draw tourism to the area,” Trainer said.
Trainer said he got the idea for the ATV rental and trail business after seeing a number of people selling their off-road equipment because they didn’t have a place to ride.
He said he first considered the project for the Brownsville area after reading a newspaper article about the distressed economic conditions in Brownsville.
He met with the mayor, and then approached the Brownsville-Luzerne Park Board that oversees Patsy Hillman Park. Brownsville Borough and Luzerne Township jointly own the park.
The municipalities have given preliminary approval to the park board to pursue the project, but will have final say on any lease agreement.
Trainer said he expects to draw riders from a three-state area and to keep the business open year-round by opening the trails to snowmobiles in the winter. Trainer said he’s estimating that he’ll draw about 150 riders to the park each weekend, and he’d like to increase that number to 200.
“We want to form an ATV club and, hopefully, the club members will help patrol it,” Trainer said.
Trainer said he is also looking at opening a dealership near the park to sell ATV’s, dirt bikes and motorcycles.
“We’ll have classes, and for people who buy ATV’s or dirt bikes we’ll have instruction on riding and maintenance,” Trainer said. “I think we can bring some revenue into the park and generate some tourism.
Trainer said he would like to see some hotels open in the area so riders could come to the area for a weekend, not just for a day.
Trainer said his plans for the next three and a half years also include boat sales at a Brownsville location.