1. Describe the Degree to Which the Project S Scope and Feasibility Meet the Project Area

1. Describe the degree to which the project’s scope and feasibility meet the project area’s recreational needs. (Score 10)

The park continues to grow and develop following the original master plan of providing a park for outdoor enthusiast to enjoy motorized activities such as ATV, OHV or dirt bike riding as well as non-motorized activities that include hiking; warrior, mud or 5k runs; mountain biking; or horseback riding. The park also provides cabins, mobile units, RV slots and tent camping with visitors having access to a bathhouse for showers and restrooms on the trail. The new bathhouse will be located in the front parking area for easy access. The park currently does not have a way for visitors to rinse or wash excess mud, dirt or rocks from their off road vehicles causing mud, rocks and debris to be strewn on Alabama Highway 69 causing road hazards to those traveling the highway and causing damage to the road. Having these additions to our park will allow us to host more events with larger participation numbers, provide events with longer durations and allow our road frontage to stay clean and safe for those who not only visit the park but for those who live in the community of the OHV park and travel Highway 69 daily. Pictures are attached showing the conditions of the road with mud and debris.

2. Describe the ways in which the project provides for the greatest number of compatible recreational purposes. (Score 8)

The additional bathhouse and car wash will allow more riders to come, stay later or overnight if the park can provide adequate amount of facilities; to include restrooms, showers and a car wash where they can wash or rinse equipment for additional repairs or races. It will also bring in regional and national events in the park due to additional facilities that can accommodate larger crowds, as well as, encourage people out of state to arrive earlier and stay longer.

3. Describe the ways in which the project provides a new, unique or more effective means for making trail opportunities available to the public. (Score 10) Stony Lonesome continues to be the only public OHV park of this size and scope in North Alabama, giving the general public a family-oriented, safe OHV park to ride with a variety of trails offered, overnight accommodations and wash facilities located in numerous areas of the park that can accommodate approximately a thousand visitors each week or larger crowds with planned events. The car wash will also provide riders the ability to rinse or wash equipment for inspections before additional rides or before repairs to prevent accidental injuries, due to not being able to clearly view all aspects of the machine. Private property owners are becoming more aware of liabilities from allowing visitors to ride. Due to the increasing personal property liabilities we are seeing more families and friends visiting and riding on public trails. The increased facilities will be able to accommodate not only out of state riders but local enthusiast who choose not to risk being liable for other friends and family members who want to ride. 4. Describe the ways in which the project facilitates the access and use of trails by persons with disabilities, older citizens, economically disadvantaged and other special populations or groups. (Score 8)

The park follows the standards for American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure activities are accommodating. The park is open to the public with no regards to racial, social, physical or economic status. Currently motorized trails provide additional access for handicapped individuals to access the outdoors. Individuals with limited physical abilities are now able to use four wheel drive vehicles and ATV’s so they can enjoy greater mobility and access to nature. Nationwide and locally, our park offer specials days and rides where individuals with disabilities have sponsored access to the trails where they can enjoy the outdoor setting. All facilities within Stony Lonesome OHV Park including the additional bathhouse and car wash are handicapped accessible.

5. Describe the ways in which the project creates opportunities for new partnerships between trail users, private interests, and public agencies within the project area. (Score 10) Due to the additional wash facilities for equipment and added bathhouse we foresee additional partnerships. Organizations such as Louisiana Mud Angels, Jeep Jamboree, and the Huntsville Land Rovers have expressed interest in greater partnerships when permanent lighting was added from previous grant as well as additional facilities and accommodations.

6. Describe the ways in which the project uses the grant funds to leverage other public or private investments (in the form of services and materials, as well as dollars.) (Score 10) Stony Lonesome OHV Park is funded by the Cullman County Commission. Cullman County Economic Development has applied for a community safe room to be added to the property for participants and community members to be protected from severe weather. Also, the Cullman County Economic Development Office is researching additional grant funds that may enhance this project and our park.

7. The degree to which community involvement is addressed: i.e., (A) Project idea originated with trail users or a community group that has substantial knowledge, and (B) The private sector (including individual citizens, community groups or local business enterprises) has participated in the development of the proposed idea and has made commitments of labor, money or materials to support proposed implementation. (Score 10) The need of an additional bathhouse and car/equipment wash was first realized when our events continued to grow with local rides and national events. During the last year the park is averaging between 800-1000 weekly visitors. The OHV park event calendar for 2016 had 26 schedule special events, such as Southern Rock Racing Series and Str8 Up SxS Hill Climb Competition, with over 19,000 participants for the year. A national industry magazine article is attached highlighting the races at Stony Lonesome. Seeing the success of the Rally Raid, the park started hosting night rides for the community, along with warrior or mud runs for those not only interested in motorized events but also non-motorized. The community and participants have requested a way to prevent large amounts of mud, rocks and dirt from being spread on Highway 69 and damaging the surface. The car/equipment wash would be a much needed solution for the problem. Community support signatures and e-mails are attached to the application.

Cullman County EMS, Cullman Regional Medical Services, local fire departments, and the Cullman County Rescue Squad have all donated their time to the park. ATV dealers such as Basch Brothers, The Honda Shop, Southeastern UTV, and many more also contribute time and equipment to help the park.

8. Describe the degree of commitment to continue operation and maintenance of the project. Include an operation and maintenance plan detailing the amount of money needed to operate and maintain the trail after it is completed and identify who will be responsible for the work. (Score 10) Since the project request does not address the construction of a physical trail, there will be little to none daily or weekly maintenance on the trails, however daily, weekly and monthly maintenance will be performed to maintain the investment to our park. The park is supported by the Cullman County Commission and any additional funds for maintenance of the bathhouse and car wash will be added to the Park and Recreation’s budget.

9. Identify and describe the service area of the project. Approximately how many people do you propose to serve with this project? Identify other trail resources in the service area by trail type (motorized, non-motorized, multiuse), distance, location in relation to the proposed trail, and ownership. (Score 9) We serve not only people from our county but from all over Alabama and even other states as far as California. The number of guests tripled in size from 2011 to 2012 and our numbers still continue to grow. We see the most numbers during events and with more partnerships we would be able to see even more. Currently, we are seeing 700-1000 visitors in a weekend, 200 visitors during the week, 250-500 visitors for night rides, and visitors for the Rally Raid and other regional/national events has been recorded from 1600-3000.

There are no other motorized trails in Cullman County open to the public. The other public motorized trails are mostly located in South Alabama. Several of the Cullman County parks have trails for pedestrians, bikes, and mountain bikes.

10. Describe how the trail will be managed. Include discussion on season length, hours of operation, limitation on use, enforcement provisions, and scheduling. (Score 10) Stony Lonesome is open year round, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but we would like to extend our hours to stay open later and even seven days a week to attain more business.