Plans in the works since 2015 to build an all-terrain vehicle trail at Heritage Park came to fruition on Sept. 7 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The trail officially opened to the public two weeks later on Sept. 21.

The trail consists of approximately 4,255 lineal feet of 4-foot-wide natural surface.

The county had been approved for a federal matching grant eight years ago administered through Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation, but plans were put on hold in 2017 when the Trump administration placed a freeze on all federally funded DCR projects that didn’t at that point have shovels in the ground.

The county reapplied and was approved in 2019 for the recreational trails program grant, which uses Federal Highway Administration funds administered through DCR.

According to Assistant County Administrator Don Robertson, the cost of the trail, including engineering, design and construction, came in at $380,536, making Isle of Wight’s share $76,107 under the required 80%-to-20% matching grant.

According to the county’s website, the trail is restricted to ATVs with a maximum engine size of 160 cubic centimeters. All riders will be required to register for a permit with the Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation Department prior to using the trail.

Permits are available for purchase at Nike Park at 13036 Nike Park Road, Carrollton.

Annual permits are $35 for county residents with proof of residence and $100 for non-county residents.

Using the Windsor entrance to Heritage Park on Henry H. Bradby Trail, the ATV trail parking lot is on the right.