Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

This Polaris UTV is being used to create a skate path on Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, NY.

A new winter time use for utility vehicles:  clearing skating paths. In Lake Placid, North Elba Park District employees recently plowed a skating path around Mirror Lake using a newly purchased utility vehicle. The idea was first tried last year, but this year the community, led by a local resort owner, raised funds to buy a utility vehicle expressly for the purpose of building the skating path. The lighter utility vehicle allowed employees to safely get onto the ice earlier than heavier alternatives. The community raised around $32,000 for the Polaris UTV which they accessorized with a cab, plow and broom attachment. Donors included local resorts, foundations and citizens as well as a number of private donors from different states.  Learn more:  Lakeplacidnews.com