Lewis County ATV roundtable sets 2026 priorities: trail expansion, signage and funding
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Summary
At an ATV roundtable, participants outlined 2026 goals including expanding trail connections, a signage and kiosk initiative, stepped-up community promotion and efforts to grow permit sales and sponsorships; members also discussed grants and merchandise as revenue tools.
Speaker 2 opened the meeting by presenting draft goals for 2026, saying the group would focus on expanding and connecting the trail network, improving trail navigation and infrastructure, strengthening community and business engagement, building sustainable funding mechanisms and maintaining an industry-leader role.
The priorities draw on a community survey Speaker 2 cited as the basis for planning. "So as far as expanding, our goals will be to continue the community connections initiative," Speaker 2 said, listing the towns where early work is under way and urging clubs to help secure landowner agreements.
Speaker 2 proposed a sign initiative that would add kiosks, trail names and a trail-sponsorship program, and suggested outreach to people who have made recent donations to consider naming or memorial opportunities on trails. "Some of that will fall into other categories as well," Speaker 2 said when describing kiosks and signage.
On funding, members noted permit sales have not grown consistently: Speaker 2 said permit revenue is down over the last six years while 3-day passes are up, and asked whether better marketing or more points of sale could convert short-stay visitors into full-permit buyers. Participants discussed expanding retail permit sellers beyond six currently referenced businesses and using electronic sales stations at major events.
The group also considered non-permit revenue sources. Speaker 5 reported Lewis County-branded merchandise is set up though payment processing remains offline; some members encouraged use of merchandise and targeted Facebook spotlights to promote businesses and events.
Speaker 6 offered to compile a regional listing of ATV events for social-media promotion, asking clubs to provide event dates by March so promotions can be scheduled in advance. The roundtable agreed to pursue outreach and collaboration with neighboring counties for digital mapping and trail connectivity.
The discussion concluded with a plan to revisit the proposed goals at the January meeting and to refine timelines for signage, sponsorship and permit-sales pilots.
