Skills pages:

1. Trail Design
2. Construction
3. Maintenance
4. Management
5. Policies
6. Planning
7. Administration
8. Organizations
9. Partnerships
10. Resources
11. Information
12. Outreach

NTTP Homepage

SKILLS and COMPETENCIES for Trails Training

Hosted by AmericanTrails.org

Categories of skills used in trails and greenways work, along with links to classes and resources for training. Also see National Scenic and Historic Trails Training Needs Assessment

This area categorizes and defines the wide range of skills used in trails and greenways work. The goal is to comprehensively identify the range of competencies and knowledge used by staff and volunteers engaged in every kind of trail work. Web pages for the 12 topics provides a catalogue of skills, plus links to resources, publications, and training providers.

This area is compiled and maintained by Stuart Macdonald from resources provided by members of the National Trails Training Partnership. Many of the specific skills were identified by the task force for the National Scenic and Historic Trails Training Needs Assessment.

TRAIL PLANNING skills and competencies

Specific skills used in plannning individual trails and greenways; identifying routes and experiences for park systems; developing plans for regional and statewide systems; developing goals and objectives for trail projects. See below for training and resources links for trail design.

The following is a list of skills and competencies for this category of trails work.

photo of people and posters

Open house for citizens to review ideas for
New Jersey state trails plan

Skills for Natural Surface Trail Planning

Identifying goals, activities, routes, and alternatives
Sustainable trail planning
Planning for different trail activites or shared uses
Analyzing resources and visitor needs as part of trail system planning
Planning for off-highway vehicle parksand use areas
Using and interpreting aerial photographs

Skills for Urban Trail and Bike/Ped Planning

Planning greenways and river corridors
Including trails in utility and transportation corridors
Planning systems of on-street and trail facilities
Planning intermodal bicycle/pedestrian facilities

Skills for Regional and Statewide Trail Planning

Identifying uses, needs, and opportunities
Conducting surveys and public input on plans
Identifying and mapping potential corridors

Skills for Multi-objective Planning

Working with utility, transportation, and other corridors to include trails
Participate in land use planning process at the county, state, and regional levels
Plan trails in conjunction with driving tours, scenic byways, and other tourism program
Provide advice in the evaluation and study process for proposed national scenic and historic trails
Using public involvement strategies and designing and evaluating public involvement processes

TRAINING and RESOURCES for trail planning

Links will take you to specific training opportunities, training providers, and other educational resources for both urban and backcountry trails. See the Online Training Calendar for current opportunities, featured training providers, and resources in each state.

Courses on Trail Planning

See providers of training on trail design below
Check the online Calendar for current scheduled training
Search the NTTP training database by keyword, state, or provide

American Trails offers the "Understanding Accessibility and Building Better Trails" workshop and the "Greenways and Trails Forum for Development Professionals"
Federal Highway Administration has a University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation and "Linking Planning and NEPA"
IMBA Trailbuilding Schools: sponsored by Subaru of America and directed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association include planning for trails and riding experiences
Marshall University Park and Recreation Resources program of Huntington, WV, provides off-highway vehicle recreation courses via the internet
National Association of Recreation Resource Planners focuses on planning trails and outdoor recreation facilities at its annual conference
Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society provides a variety of courses on Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance
Professional Trailbuilders Association sponsors the annual Trailbuilders Conference with workshops on technical aspects of planning, development, and management
Trail Management: Plans, Projects and People: week-long interagency training for trail planning, design, development, and management
On-site trail system planning and training for both motorized and nonmotorized trails from Troy Scott Parker of Natureshape, Inc.
See more training providers
Check for training providers in your state

Courses on Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Planning

National Center for Safe Routes to School offers trainings to assist communities and states that want to address potential safety concerns along walking and bicycling routes to school and increase the number of children safely traveling to school by foot or bicycle.

Resources for Trail Planning

The Trail Planning Index provides a wealth of articles, projects, and resources on planning trails and greenway systems.
The provides a wealth of articles, projects, and resources on planning trails and greenway systems.

Books on Backcountry and Natural Surface Trail Planning

The following books are available from the American Trails Store. Also see the American Trails Bibliography.

Natural Surface Trails by Design Physical and Human Design Essentials of Sustainable, Enjoyable Trails; by Troy Scott Parker
Trail Solutions: IMBA's Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack; Cutting-edge trailbuilding techniques with proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read format
Park guidelines for off-highway vehicles: A resource guide to assist in the planning, development, enhancement, and operation of OHV recreation facilities; by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

Books on Greenways and Urban Trail Planning

The following books are available from the American Trails Store:

Trails for the Twenty-First Century: Planning, Design, and Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails; by Charles Flink , Kristine Olka , Robert Searns; focus on urban and rail trails
Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design and Development; by Charles A. Flink, Robert M. Searns, Loring LaB Schwarz

The National Trails Training Partnership

American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 • (530) 547-2060 • Fax: (530) 547-2035 • nttp@americantrails.org • www.AmericanTrails.org

The National Trails Training Partnership is an alliance of Federal agencies, training providers, nationwide supporters, and providers of products and services. Visit the online calendar of training opportunities, access hundreds of trail-related resources, read the news, learn how you can help, and see training resources in your state.

This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration under Cooperative Agreement DTFH61-06-H-00023. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration.