WAGON TRAILS REVITALIZED GALLUP STYLE. By Greg Kirk President - Red Rock Motorsports Club, Inc. Secretary - Adventure Gallup & Beyond

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1 WAGON TRAILS REVITALIZED GALLUP STYLE By Greg Kirk President - Red Rock Motorsports Club, Inc. Secretary - Adventure Gallup & Beyond

2 GALLUP, NM *Population 20,000 *Elevation 6,500 ft *I-40, Route 491 *County seat for McKinley County

3 The Rise Gallup, New Mexico Est 1881 Hub for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. Surplus of coal, Gallup was formed. Lumber Industry in the nearby Zuni Mtns s Uranium mining from1950 to 1980s Ciniza Oil Refinery erected in 1950s. Mother Road, Route 66, constructed in the 1930s. Gallup was a popular stopover on Route 66. Trading is instrumental to Gallup s success and culture; nestled in between largest Native American Indian reservation (Navajo Nation), Gallup is known as the Heart of Indian Country. Home to the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial, now in its 93rd yr. Diverse nationalities: Navajo, Zuni Pueblo, Hopi Pueblo, immigrants of European decent (Italians, Slavs, Irish, Scottish, German) and Asian decent (Chinese and Japanese) Great melting pot of people Business was good.more millionaires per capita in the U.S.

4 Gallup Rich in culture and history. Inter-tribal Ceremonial taking place on Historic Route 66

5 The Demise Gallup, New Mexico Loss of Industry and Tourism mines closed up, lumber industry ceased, railroad hub moved out, Interstate 40 bypassed Route 66. Rise of alcoholism and lack of economic development and opportunity. Drunk Town USA title given to Gallup. Poorest County in the State of New Mexico. OHV Two of the three cycle shops closed their doors. Gallup Mx Track, which was host to many AMA qualifiers from , ceased activity. Last sanctioned race in City stopped off-road club participation. OHV area wasteland to illegal dumping, shooting, party hub for high schoolers. Mid 1980s to 2000 Dark Ages for Gallup as far as economic and recreational opportunities.

6 Our favorite riding area since 1974

7 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico 1999: The "Adventure Gallup" concept emerged during the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) planning process. The concept was to develop and market our natural assets as an adventure tourist destination similar to Moab, Utah. 2000: A Steering Committee was formed including the COG, City of Gallup, McKinley County, tribal representatives, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. 2000: McKinley County obtained funding from the State of New Mexico via a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to study the feasibility of developing adventure tourism

8 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico Impact of Trails: Quality of life Tourism Economic base Self image

9 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico 2001: feasibility study demonstrated that adventure tourism, once implemented, could initially increase tourism spending in Gallup. The "Adventure Gallup and Beyond (AGB) initiative was born. AGB is a non-profit 501 C3 organization that oversees all types of outdoor recreation for Gallup and the surrounding area. 2002: UNM Anderson School of Business completed a marketing plan for Adventure Gallup & Beyond. State of New Mexico Legislature appropriates $35,000 to purchase Mentmore Rock Climbing Area. Gallup s flagship hiking trail Pyramid Rock designed and built by the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).

10 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico 2005: January: State Legislature appropriates $80,000 for Adventure Gallup improvements. March: City of Gallup sponsors the Gallup-McKinley Trails and Open Space Master Plan April: Gallup s first 12-hour mountain race Dawn til Dusk at High Desert Trail System. May: Gallup s first XC mountain bike race High Desert Screamer 2006: Zuni Mountain Trail Partnership formed as a result of an agreement between the US Forest Service, McKinley County, Gallup Trails 2010, Connections/YCC, and Adventure Gallup & Beyond.

11 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico : Work with NPS-Rivers, Trails, & Conservation. ZMTP, and IMBA on a comprehensive trail system for the Zuni Mountains (connecting rural communities including Gallup). 2010: 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest NM s first and only 24-hour mountain bike is established in the Zuni Mountains. 2011: Dedication of the Hilso Trailhead and McGaffey Trail System in the Zuni Mountains (Cibola National Forest). 2012: Gallup is named the Adventure Capital of New Mexico by NM Legislature, House Memorial : USA Cycling selects 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest for Nationals in : High Desert Trails designated as a National Recreation Trail

12 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico AGB and its partners have built, and provide access to, more than150 miles of single-track adventure trails and urban trail systems suitable for multiple uses, including hiking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and equestrian activity Trail improvements accomplished in partnership with the Youth Conservation Corps, Gallup Trails, and other groups, with trails such as Pyramid Rock trail, Church Rock trail, the Hogback trail system, the High Desert trail system and the Zuni Mountain trail system Dawn til Dusk 12-Hour Endurance Race, which is in its 8th year and has drawn almost 3,000 participants and generated $650,000 in revenues Squash Blossom Classic, a two-day series of events for runners and mountain bikers that has drawn 1,640 participants and generated $332,640 in revenues 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest, completed 3 years, is the largest mountain bike race in New Mexico, the only 24-hour event, and hosting USA Cycling Nationals in

13 The Resurrection Gallup, New Mexico Adventure Gallup & Beyond is a broad partnership representing networks of partners that work together to drive this initiative and its events, projects and programs. There are land use partners, trail building and advocacy partners, investors, and tourism partners. Land Use Partners: Private: Gamerco Associates (now Gallup Land Partners, LLC), Ramah Land & Irrigation, LLC, and other individual property owners Federal: USFS, BLM, NPS, and BIA State: EMNRD-State Parks and State Land Office Local/Tribal: City of Gallup, McKinley County, Pueblo of Zuni, and Navajo Nation Trail Building & Advocacy: Gallup Youth Conservation Corps, Gallup Trails 2010, Connections, Inc./McKinley Soil & Water Conservation District

14 Projections: Economic Impact For Events 500 participating racers; Each racing team will average 4 people (=2,000); Add a minimum 1,000 spectators (=3,000); If each person spends $200 a day for the 3 day event; Direct Economic Impact =$1,800,000 McKinley County s IMPLAN multiplier is =$2,613,600 Return on Investment =14 to 1

15 NM s Adventure Capital -Adventure Tourism: Economic Impact Currently Gallup is attracting 32,000 adventure tourists annually from outside 50 miles Mountain Biking and Off-road Events: Over $1M for the past 8 years New Business Creation (Bike shop, B&B, outfitters, event promoters, trail guides, etc.)

16 The OHV Component Red Rock Motorsports Club, Inc. RRMS How we gained traction : Unfortunate death of a young ATV rider on a city street spurred our Economic Development Director, Mike Enfield, to build a dedicated site for safe OHV use. -Eric Gonzales and Greg Kirk took the lead and with the advice of our City Mayor, Bob Rosebrough, we formed a nonprofit 501c4 organization. -Mobilized rider input, presented to the City our wants and needs. -Directed the first RTP Grant geared towards off-road, City as Fiscal agent The Gallup Mx Track was revitalized, now called the Gallup OHV and Mx Park. As of 2015 we have been awarded $360,000 in RTP, $60,000 NM Game & Fish OHV, $2,000 Tread Lightly and over $30,000 in sponsorships (in-kind donations from county, city and private sector).

17 DREAMS DO COME TRUE - Gallup OHV Park Architect Elliot Brainard from Mammoth, CA, was instrumental in creating a park suitable to our needs. As the NOHVCC saying goes, the best land managers and designers are often the people who love the sport and are passionate about passing on the legacy to future generations. The park itself has 25 miles of trail, but with adjacent trails from other land owners we have approx. 50 miles of OHV trails.

18 Travel Management Plan - RRMS combined forces with Jeeps West in creating the most liberal use for OHV forest designations in the state of NM. Communication, teamwork, and educated enthusiasts paid off in keeping our forest open for OHVs.

19 RRMS created the first annual Spring Clean Up. We have an agreement between the City and Solid Waste to have our tipping fees waved for one week out of the year. We team up with Jeeps West, Boy Scouts, YCC and incorporate the county detainees for help. We have disposed of 100,000 lbs of trash in five years from our recreation area.

20 Education: RRMS has its own ATV Safety Institute Instructor. Trainings held at the Gallup OHV/Mx Park.

21 Club Social Rides RRMS makes it a point to come together for our annual ride in the forest!

22 Shifting Gears First sanctioned race in 26 years! Showcase our park and partnership between City and RRMS. This solidified our presence as an equal recreational group. Since then we have promoted over 20 off-road events, from desert, mx, hare scrambles, gran prix and trials competition.

23 Fund Raising Offsets maintenance, operation and insurance RRMS Yearly Sponsorship Packages

24 EVENTS: -BRING OHV PATRONS TO TOWN -EXPOSURE TO THE PARK AND GALLUP AS A WHOLE

25 Priceless Partnerships RRMS has been the recipient of numerous grants from the NM Game & Fish OHV Dept. We utilize monies for park maintenance and infrastructure improvements. Many thanks to Marc Hildesheim from NM Game & Fish, who is now with NOHVCC, for his guidance in streamlining our grant process. Many thanks to Chris Johnson, Desi Ortiz and the rest of the NM Game & Fish OHV department as well for their commitment to solid OHV ethics and pushing NM to the forefront for OHV destinations!

26 Priceless Partnerships

27 THE ULTIMATE REWARD RRMS BROUGHT RACING BACK TO GALLUP!

28 GALLUP ADVENTURE CAPITAL OF NEW MEXICO

29 QUESTIONS? Contact Information: Adventure Gallup & Beyond Bob Rosebrough, President Eric Chisamore, Vpresident Adam Wilkey, Treasurer Greg Kirk, Secretary Red Rock Motorsports Club, Inc Greg Kirk, President Charles Tafoya, Vpresident Melissa Steadman/David Martin, Treasurer Jenifer Kirk, Secretary

30 References: Rosebrough, B., Lundstrom,P., Lohman, K., Mapes, L., (2012). Driving Community Success with trails: the Gallup story. IMBA Presentation.