Resource Library:

Planning And Design

Subcategories • Accessible Trail DesignCase StudiesCost EstimatingFeasibility StudiesLivable/Active CommunitiesLand Acquisition and ConservationMaster PlansSignage and InterpretationTrailheadsTrail Networks DesignTrails as TransportationClosing Trail System GapsWildlife and Habitat



posted Feb 19, 2018

State of the Art Technology for Modern Trails

by J. Scott Groenier, PE with USDA Forest Service, Chip Young with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Today’s techno-savvy trail users expect to be able to plan and preview their trail experience with accurate GPS and GIS data viewed in programs like Google Earth.


posted Mar 27, 2019

State of Victoria’s Guidelines for trail planning, design and management

The State of Victoria’s Guidelines for Trail Planning, Design and Management aims at “development of exceptional trail experiences. A useful feature is a trail planning and design checklist. The book also covers management models, marketing and brand- ing, community and stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and review.


published Jan 2016

STEP IT UP! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities

The Call to Action provides strategies that communities can use to support walking, which we hope will result in long-lasting changes to improve the health and health care of Americans today and of the generations that follow.


posted Aug 6, 2020

Strategic Agenda for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation

by Federal Highway Administration

The 2016-2021 Strategic Agenda for Pedestrian and Bicycle Transportation builds on 25 years of progress toward increasing walking and biking safety and activity throughout the United States. The 1994 National Bicycling and Walking Study: Transportation Choices for Changing America set the stage for advancing safe, accessible, comfortable, and well-used pedestrian and bicycle transportation networks, with a focus on increasing trips and reducing injuries and fatalities.


posted Jul 23, 2020

Strategies for Accelerating Multimodal Project Delivery

by Federal Highway Administration

This Workbook describes thirteen (13) key strategies that have been used effectively to accelerate multimodal projects and provides examples and case studies for each.


published Jan 2014

Strategy and Plan of Action for The Water Trails Community

Water trails are a unique form of recreation – in its simplest form it consists of floating with minor balance and navigation. However, the ability to reach the water’s edge is probably one of the largest obstacles to participation.


posted Jun 9, 2020

Successful Models in Developing and Maintaining Private Equestrian Trail Systems

In this webinar you will learn about how three different communities have developed and maintained successful equestrian trail system on private land.


published Feb 2021

Sun Corridor Trail Alliance Action Plan

The SCTA Action Plan serves as a checklist of guiding tasks for the new organization as it continues to move the Sun Corridor Trail forward.


posted Jan 19, 2018

Sustainability of Backcountry Trails

by National Park Service

A document providing the basis for the most sustainable backcountry trail for all trail types with the least impact to natural, historic, cultural and aesthetic resources.


posted Jun 5, 2019

Sustainable Trail Development and Education in Patagonia

by Jed Talbot with OBP Trailworks, LLC

This PTBA Technical Track session describes trail development in remote area's of Argentine Patagonia.