9443-R3_MSA_September2026_Newsletter

Here’sYour Sign !! By Brent Spaulding

A critical element of our statewide trail system is signage. From trail denti fication, to stop signs, hazards, and ser vice signs, the signage package available through the state snowmobile program affords us everything needed to get the job done. The mission is communication to all riders on the trail for proper navigation and safety. Several years ago, the MSA Trails committee developed and implemented a presentation we have shared with clubs throughout the state. We have been from Madawaska to Rumford to Dennysville and have done multiple workshops yearly including at the MSA Powersports Show. We have made great strides in our sign

implementation, but there is always room for improvement. Last winter on my annual Spaulding Sled Safari with my crew, I did a weeklong sad dlebag trip from Plymouth to Rangeley, Greenville, Sherman, Portage, Brownville, and back to Plymouth. We were running our new MSATRAILS APP and all the while confirmed signage. We made the trip safely without getting lost. However, there were a couple of common observations that moti vated me to write this article. ITS Trail identifiers were deployed reg ularly but consistently lacked a direction. The signs are designed with a location to add direction as appropriate.

ADD A DIRECTION HERE — N, S, E,W

• EVEN NumberTrails are EAST/WEST • ODD NumberTrails are NORTH/SOUTH

Clubs did an excellent job with the most important sign on our system- the STOP Sign ! Stop Aheads were in place as well and most stop signs had the road name but did you know that the standard also requires the TOWN name ? Consider an unfamiliar rider that is at a road crossing

and on the phone with emergency services asking for the location. The rider sees the STOP sign with Smith Rd listed. Smith Rd in Rumford? Garland? Presque Isle? This important and simple data could possibly save a life.

ROAD NAME and TOWN

I want to recognize the clubs and volun teers for their efforts and genuine willing ness to make our trails the best they can

be.The small tweaks noted above will take it to the next level.ThankYou All !!

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