Polk County Opens New ATV/UTV Intensive Use Area

POLK COUNTY, Wis. -- The Polk County Parks Department opened the new ATV/UTV Intensive Use Recreation Area to the public on October 11th.

This new recreation area is set on 60 acres of Polk County Forest land in the Town of Sterling and features three distinct tracks as well as a sand pit. The Beginners Course, designed for young and inexperienced riders, features banked corners and small jumps. The ATV/UTV Track is designed for more experienced riders, is longer and features larger jumps and ramps. The Challenge Course is for the more advanced riders and features unique obstacles with tires, rip rap and logs. All of the obstacles and features on the trails have bypasses, allowing users to tailor their experience to their comfort level.

The ATV/UTV Intensive Use Recreation Area was identified in the Polk County Comprehensive Trail Network Plan as an opportunity to expand recreational opportunities for ATV/UTV riders by providing a unique riding experience for riders of all levels. The project was funded by ATV/UTV Trail Aid Grant from the Wisconsin DNR.

The ATV/UTV Intensive Use Area is located at 3110 Evergreen Ave. Grantsburg, WI 54841. For more information, visit the Polk County website.

Background:

This project originated in the Parks and Trails Advisory Group (PTAG). PTAG was a special committee appointed by the County Board of Supervisors in 2020 to identify recreational initiatives for County parks and trails, and out of an initial 30-40 projects suggested, thirteen projects were prioritized, resulting in the Polk County Comprehensive Trail Network Plan. This plan is a long-term guiding document that aims to ensure the equitable distribution and development of recreational assets in Polk County. Conceptually, the ATV/UTV Intensive Use Area was modeled after a similar ATV intensive park in Dyracuse, Wisconsin.