Public Engagement Timeline

1. Focus Groups
The focus group sessions are an opportunity for the public to provide feedback and ideas on specific issues. Focus groups were held between April and May and were be recorded. Please read the description for each focus group below and register if you are interested in attending. These sessions included a brief project presentation and a combination of polling and discussion questions.

Focus Group: Hosting an ATV System - Community Impacts

This interactive discussion explored the interplay between the ATV trail system, ATV users, and the community. Participants shared their experience hosting an ATV system in their area and the greater impact on the community.

Focus Group: Where do we go from here? The Evolution of the ATV Program in Minnesota

This interactive focus group identified common goals, concerns and opportunities for the future of the ATV program in Minnesota. Participants explored potential future outcomes and the balance between trail development, maintenance, connectivity and enforcement.

2. Public Visioning Survey
The public visioning survey identified ATV use patterns and trends, trip characteristics and spending, needs and opportunities for improvement, and ATV management and planning considerations. This survey allowed both ATV users and non-users to provide feedback about their vision for the future of the ATV trail system and the management of ATV’s in Minnesota.

3. Stakeholder Groups
Stakeholder meetings were guided group discussions aimed at identifying concerns, opportunities for collaboration, and strategies that help create optimal outcomes for all parties. These meetings were invite-based and will include representatives from economic development agencies, trail administrators, ATV users and businesses, and land management agencies.

4. Trail Inventory
The ATV system in Minnesota crosses many federal, state, county, and private lands and this plan will address the system as a whole. This process relied on the participation and cooperation of land managers and trail administrators to provide information to help form a comprehensive understanding of the existing system. Accurately budgeting for new trail development and trail maintenance requires awareness of the scope and state of the ATV trail system.

5. Draft Plan Review
This engagement opportunity includes public review of draft plan recommendations and supporting materials such as survey and analysis results.