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Accessible boardwalk trails

Boardwalks provide access to rough or wet terrain for visitors of all abilities. If care is taken at transitions from other surfaces and beginning points, boardwalks will provide a high level of accessibility for people using wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and other assistive devices. Boardwalks are often used for interpretive facilities in habitat areas such as swamps. Wood was generally used for construction in past years, but plastic materials are more often used today. Recycled plastic lumber, while needing more support, is vastly more durable, especially in wet conditions and where winter icing occurs. Concrete is also used in commercial applications (see Precast concrete boardwalk system for elevated trails). (Commentary by Stuart Macdonald.)

See Bridges, Docks, & Boardwalks fabricators in the American Trails Business Directory

See more boardwalk examples and photo galleries:

Click on any photo to see it full size along with more information:

Low boardwalk across habitat area at Woodlands Edge housing development in Little Rock, AR; note edge protection but no railings

Typical boardwalk at Denver Zoo with edge protection; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 1 Nov 2010

Typical boardwalk at Denver Zoo with railings at brridge section; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 1 Nov 2010

Detail of wood boardwalk construction on Buck Island Pond Trail at Goethe State Forest, FL; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 9 July 2009

Beginning of the boardwalk trail at Buck Island Pond Trail, Goethe State Forest, FL; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 9 July 200

Typical use of a boardwalk as an interpretive trail through cypress swamp at Francis Beidler Forest, a National Recreation Trail near Harleyville, SC

Boardwalk is used to continute trail along road on the edge of steep bank; Tennessee Riverpark, Chattanooga; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 17 Nov 2010

Low boardwalk used as an overlook along Window on the Waterfront trail, Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Accessible ramp from trail to boardwalk at Bluff Lake, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 4 Dec 2009

Boardwalk ramp has unusually elaborate railings and wire mesh; Bluff Lake, Denver, CO; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 4 Dec 2009

Shifting boardwalk sections may require transition plate to maintain accessibility; Window on the Waterfront Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Flooding has tilted wood boardwalk at Window on the Waterfront trail, Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Boardwalk has plastic decking and wood railing with chain link; Stu Visser Trail System, Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Bridge section of boardwalk over wetlands on Stu Visser Trail System, Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Elegant curved boardwalk to overlook of San Diego Bay with plastic decking and steel railings; Silver Strand Bayshore Bikeway, Coronado, CA; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 15 Aug 2010

Lengthy boardwalk provides continuity where trail skirts bayside industrial plant; Heinz Memorial Walkway, Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Boardwalk uses plastic decking and steel railings and provides fishing access; Heinz Memorial Walkway, Holland, MI; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 19 Sept 2011

Low boardwalk provides access over seasonally wet soil; Big Cypress Trail, Goethe State Forest, FL; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 9 July 2009

Traditional wood boardwalk with edge protection but no railings; Big Cypress Trail, Goethe State Forest, FL; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 9 July 2009

Boardwalk across wetlands uses all wood construction; Big Cypress Trail, Goethe State Forest, FL; photo by Stuart Macdonald, 9 July 2009

More Trailbuilding Resources

Resources and Library:

Cool Trail Solutions

Accessible boardwalk trails

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