Arizona Backcountry Explorers successfully mitigates OHV issues in rural AZ community

Circle City, Arizona, is a small town of approximately 150 residents. Located in the far West Valley, it is surrounded by state trust land and is home to several motorized public land users. Among these public land users are a handful of individuals who drive through town recklessly, treating the residential neighborhood like their own personal race track.

These actions have led to several complaints from town residents relating to reckless driving, noise, and dust, leaving local residence furious and motorized public land users in fear of losing access to the surrounding public lands.

Mitigation measures taken

Arizona Backcountry Explorers was able to immediately identify the issue—a lack of knowledge on the local trail system—and formulated a simple yet effective approach to move OHV traffic out of the residential areas. We developed an interactive map showing more than 300 miles of roads and trails on the surrounding public lands and provided a downloadable GPS track. This map not only showcases the incredible range of trails available—from mild 4×4 routes to challenging terrains—but also served as a practical guide for local trail navigation.

Accompanying the map, Arizona Backcountry Explorers provided downloadable GPS files, enabling residents and motorized users to easily access and follow local motorized routes on their GPS devices. This initiative was instrumental in redirecting OHV traffic away from residential areas, addressing safety concerns, and minimizing disruptions caused by reckless driving.

Moreover, Arizona Backcountry Explorers emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and patience among community members. By advocating for the rights of individuals to access public lands and roads responsibly, ABE helped bridge the gap between OHV enthusiasts and local residents.

The impact of Arizona Backcountry Explorers efforts was swift and transformative. Within a day of distributing the trail map and GPS files, the reported OHV-related issues in Circle City came to an abrupt halt. Despite initial concerns prompting involvement from the local sheriff’s department, Arizona Backcountry Explorers educational initiatives proved to be highly effective, rendering further intervention unnecessary. This success shows the significance of community-led approaches in addressing and mitigating local challenges.

The accomplishments of Arizona Backcountry Explorers serve as a model for other communities facing similar issues with OHV usage. By prioritizing education, communication, and collaboration, communities can proactively address concerns.

In conclusion, Arizona Backcountry Explorers experience in Circle City is a fine example of the positive impact of grassroots efforts around OHV usage. By sharing our success story and advocating for proactive measures, Arizona Backcountry Explorers encourages others to emulate their approach and work towards building communities where recreational activities can thrive while respecting the needs and rights of all residents.