Published: March 31, 2008 11:24 pm      

ATV park opens season with Dollar Day

PATTON — Off-roaders will have an opportunity to brush winter dust off their ATVs and get their first ride of the season at Rock Run Recreation Area April 19 for only $1.

State Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Patton, who chairs the 6,000-acre park’s board, said Rock Run Dollar Day is meant to attract local folks to try the 50 miles of trails – especially those who haven’t been there.

Rock Run opened last year, and saw 5,800 riders from numerous states.

“We’re hoping to double that,” Haluska said of his expectations this year.

He said the park has been open on weekends throughout the winter, weather permitting.

The April 19 special rate is set to kick off the park’s spring riding season.

“This is like an open house type of thing,” Haluska said. “This is for the locals who never wanted to come out and ride, because they didn’t know if they wanted to spend the money.”

A single-day pass to ride at the park is $15, and rates will not increase this year, Haluska said.

The park currently is developing more trails, and will offer primitive camping on weekends starting Memorial Day weekend.

“We had camping at Rock Run when we had Rally at the Rock last year, and it went well,” Haluska said. “We’re going to have primitive sites open every Friday and Saturday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.”

After the spring kick-off ride next weekend, the park will be open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

After Memorial Day, the park will be open seven days a week.

The park will be selling chances to win a new ATV on Dollar Day, with all proceeds supporting Dreams Go On, a therapeutic horseback riding organization serving disabled children and adults.