IDAHO PARKS & RECREATION MOBILE EDUCATION TRAILER FEATURES NOHVCC ADVENTURE TRAIL

Gets the messages out even while moving by way of ten giant panels gracing the outside of the 36-foot trailer

      Several state OHV programs have already utilized the NOHVCC Adventure Trail in various ways, but the folks in Idaho really went all-out with their new Parks & Recreation Mobile Education Trailer. Their striking 36-foot trailer is plastered with all of the ten panels that make up the Adventure Trail, each one offering up a specific trail safety and ethics message. Inside, the panels are shown again by way of large, mobile roll-up panels.

      "Whether we're moving or standing still we get the message out," reports Rich Gummersall, the OHV Education Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR). "It's quite a head turner while traveling down the highway." The colorful and entertaining panels were reproduced on large, heavy-duty vinyl stickers, similar to what you may see on buses or NASCAR haulers.

    LOMBARD SPEARHEADS   PROJECT

      The IDPR first got the idea to adopt the Adventure Trail from Ernie Lombard who is the NOHVCC Idaho State Representative. Lombard, who sits on the NOHVCC Board of Directors, is also on the Idaho Parks and Recreation Board where he presented the idea. "Ernie was the guiding light on this project and pushed it through from beginning to end," says Gummersall.

      The new trailer will be serving many purposes for the IDPR including being used to dispense information on Idaho ATV and OHM safety courses, avalanche and snowmobile awareness programs, Tread Lightly!, as well as the Idaho Responsible Rider Program that utilizes the Adventure Trail. Like the NOHVCC Adventure Trail, the Idaho program uses quizzes and activity books in conjunction with the tour. Plans are currently being made to schedule the trailer for school programs, outdoor sports-related shows, fairs, and riding events throughout the state.

                                       DOLLARS AND CENTS

      The Mobile Education Trailer was funded primarily by Idaho OHV registration money. Initial costs for the custom-built 36-foot (l), 110-inch (w) and 7-foot, 7-inch (h) trailer was $23,000 while the outside stickers were $6500 and the inside roll-up panels coming it at $3200. "Everyone who sees it is quite impressed," reports Rich. Gummersall adds that while the big trailer works great for large crowds, he could be getting by with a scaled-down version for most of the events. "If another state is considering building their own Adventure Trail education trailer, it could be done with a smaller trailer at less expense if need be. It also becomes easier to haul when it's smaller as well."

      If anyone is interested in more information on the Idaho Parks & Recreation Mobile Education Trailer you can contact OHV Education Coordinator Rich Gummersall at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation at 208.334.4180 ext 286 or e-mail
rgummersall@idpr.state.id.us

You can also visit their website at www.parksandrecreation.idaho.gov

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