City approves snowmobile trail expansion

NEW LONDON – An addition to a snowmobile trail operated by the Northport Snowriders Snowmobile Club that will cross property owned by the city of New London was approved by the New London Parks & Recreation Committee at its Jan. 6 meeting.
At the meeting, Dan Wilfuer, representing the Northport Snowriders Snowmobile Club, told the committee that the club would like to get approval to cross some property owned by the city of New London along Spurr Road.
“From year-to-year it might change slightly, depending on crop rotation,” Wilfuer said.
He said the club was hoping for long-term approval so the club would not have to go through the approval process each year.
Ginger Sowle, director of Parks & Recreation for the city of New London, asked Wilfuer what the trail would connect to.

Wilfuer said the club is looking to connect a trail to Uncle Luther’s Tavern.
“Eventually we would like to get out to (Highway) 54, to the state trail where we have an existing trail now, so it can be a connecting trail,” Wilfuer said.
New London City Administrator Chad Hoerth told the committee that the city property in question is currently for sale for industrial development.
“Obviously the priority is for sales for industrial land because that’s the intent of our land out there,” Hoerth said.
Wilfuer said there would be options for different routes if the city property were sold.
Ald. Tim Roberts asked if the city would receive any compensation for allowing the snowmobile trail on city property.
It would be voluntary on the city’s part, thus no compensation, Wilfuer said.
He added that some snowmobile trails are state funded, but the trail in question would be a club trail and non-funded.
Sowle said that working with snowmobile clubs like this can be beneficial when it comes to the city applying for grants.
She added that the city has not had any problems with the club in the past.
“Normally we mark our roads, or trails, the weekend after the closing of gun hunting season and as soon as we can get them (signs) out of the ground due to frost is when we pull,” Wilfuer said.
He said the signs are usually out by mid-to-late April.