Park District receives IDNR snowmobile grant

From press release

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has awarded a $40,820 state snowmobile trail grant to the Rockford Park District, in cooperation with local snowmobile clubs and volunteers to install a new snowmobile bridge, to repair four existing snowmobile bridges, and to purchase snowmobile trail signs and posts to better mark the area’s public snowmobile trails. Funds will reimburse 100 percent of the District’s expense.

Receiving this grant is a great example of how partnerships can work to leverage dollars to benefit our community. We can now enhance our snowmobile trails and signs, projects that we would not have been able to complete without these grant dollars,

said Rockford Park District Chief of Police Jerry Venable.

The state snowmobile grant program is funded entirely by snowmobiles through the registration fees they pay. There are nearly 38,000 registered snowmobiles in Illinois.

The Rockford Park District Police and Illinois Conservation Police are reminding the public to act responsibly while riding this winter, to prevent avoidable accidents and serious injuries. The Rockford Park District Snowmobile Response Team is dispatched by 911 to any snow-related emergency.

Snowmobiling in Illinois is enjoyed by thousands of people annually, and we always talk about the importance of safety. This money will help maintain trails and help keep snowmobiles safe this coming season,

said IDNR Director Marc Miller.

State law requires that persons at least 12 years of age and less than 16 years or any unlicensed driver must have in their possession a valid Snowmobile Safety Education Certificate of Competency issued by IDNR in order to operate a snowmobile. Snowmobile safety classes teach basic safety principles, maintenance, operation, winter survival, regulations and a proper attitude of respect for the student’s fellow person and the environment.

Rockford Park District Police are offering snowmobile safety classes from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec.12 and 19 at Lockwood Park Cookhouse. Call (815) 987-8874 to register.

For snowmobile safety information or a list of upcoming snowmobile classes, see www.dnr.state.il.us/safety/snowmobile.htm.

Snowmobile trails originating at Lockwood Park will be open and groomed Dec. 15 and after when there is a minimum of 4 inches of snow and favorable weather conditions. Call Lockwood Park at (815) 987-8809 for trail conditions.

For information, call Jerry Venable at (815) 987-8698.

From the Dec. 9-15, 2009 issue