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MERIDIAN MOTORCYCLE
ASSOCIATION, INC. |
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The Meridian Motorcycle Association, Inc
(MMA) is a not-for-profit association operating in Meridian, MS
under the IRS code 501(c)(7). The MMA is a social club organized
to unite all recreational off-road riding enthusiast in
Meridian, MS and the surrounding areas. The MMA exists to
support and promote the sport of recreational off-road riding
and racing The MMA host a number of special member events and
host several sanctioned races throughout the year. The MMA has
been appointed by the City Of Meridian to operate and maintain
the Meridian OHV Park. The Meridian OHV Park consist of 800
acres of municipal property owned by the City Of Meridian. The
MMA has developed this property into a off-road riding hot spot
for Southeast Mississippi and West Alabama! Though the MMA was
incorporated in 2009 it has a very long operating history in the
City of Meridian. |
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Many years ago our founding fathers and other
off-road enthusiast started to ride old logging roads that
surrounded the Bonita Lakes. These roads crisscrossed vast acres
of public land owned by the City Of Meridian. These roads proved
to be the perfect landscape for off-road riding enthusiast to
test their machines. Dirt bike riders from all over Meridian
would ride these woods and many riders began to cut trails
throughout the woods. Soon an unorganized trail system started
to developed and grow. More and more people started to use the
trails and soon all walks of outdoor enthusiast where using the
trails cut by many of the MMA founding fathers. The City of
Meridian realized the need to provide our city with an organized
trail system and outdoor park and The City of Meridian began to
develop Bonita Lakes. Unfortunately the City of Meridian's plans
for Bonita Lakes did not include Dirt Bike or ATV off-road
riding. The Bonita Lakes trail system was given to hikers,
bikers, and horse back riders. During this transition the State
of Mississippi was building a new 4-lane Highway 45 that would
cut straight through the City Of Meridian's public property.
This Highway divided the land and served as a boundary opening
the door for off-road riders to have a home in the city once
again. In the mid 90's our founding fathers started working with
top level city officials to allow an organization of off-road
enthusiast to organize and operate an off-road park on municipal
property. With many months of hard politics the Meridian
Motorcycle Association was born. The City of Meridian granted
the MMA permission to operate on municipal property and our
founding fathers started to build the Meridian OHV Park. Since
these days the MMA and the Meridian OHV Park has gone through
many changes good and bad. In the late 90's the City of Meridian
shut down the MMA. The City had entered into agreement with a
development corporation to develop our land into a retirement
community. Fortunately for the MMA this deal was broken and the
MMA returned to reclaim our park. |
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Today the MMA and the Meridian OHV Park is bigger and stronger
than ever. With a fast growing membership and a much improved
park the MMA is sure to continue providing a safe and legal
off-road experience for many generations to come. Today the MMA
host many sanctioned race events bringing the City of Meridian
visitors and revenue from all over Southeast Mississippi and
West Alabama. The MMA host many exciting member events such as
poker runs and our annual MMA Halloween Bash. Member
communication has greatly improved with regular MMA Member Mail
newsletters, email distributions, the MMA Message Board, and our
online website. |
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The MMA plans to continue its membership campaign and grow
membership to all new heights. The Meridian OHV Park continues
to improve and the MMA has big plans for our parks future. With
an AMA charter the MMA will be more independent and began to
host its own race events to help our club grow. The MMA has long
been part of the City Of Meridian and the future looks bright
for the years ahead! |