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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.

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 parks and 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

Resources for Trail Planning

The Trail Planning Index 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

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

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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.

RESOURCES and TRAINING for trail planning:

Courses
Books
Articles & projects
Bibliography
Glossary
Calendar
Products & services

CATEGORIES of SKILLS for trails and greenways work:

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

National
Trails Training Partnership:

Who we are
Featured training
Training by state
Calendar
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