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 Jun 11, 2019

Akron Civic Commons: A Story of Robust Collaboration and Reconnected Communities

by Dan Rice with Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

Akron is reconnecting people, not online, but in our trails, parks and community centers.


published Dec 2022

Alaska’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) 2023-2027

by Alaska State Parks

Outdoor recreation is vital to the lives and livelihoods of Alaskans. The state’s stunning wild landscapes, vast expanses of public land, productive ecosystems, vital cultural traditions, and four seasons of outdoor adventure position Alaska to be a world leader in outdoor recreation.


published Jan 2018

Albany-Hudson Electric Trail Concept Plan

The Albany-Hudson Electric Trail is an important part of the Empire State Trail, providing a key link between the Capital Region and the Mid-Hudson Valley. Since the trail is being developed along electrical utility lines, this plan incorporates design guidelines addressing safety and operational concerns.


posted Jul 15, 2022

American Trails Webinar - The Science of Sustainable Trail Design and Management

This webinar describes the three most common forms of trail impact, identifies the most influential factors to develop and maintain sustainable trail networks, and discusses methods for rating trail sustainability.


posted Jun 5, 2019

An Empire State of Trails: Creating New Trails and Connecting Existing Networks

by Karl Beard with National Park Service, Andy Beers with Hudson River Valley Greenway, Beth Campochiaro with Hudson River Valley Greenway, Mona Caron with Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Robin Dropkin with Parks and Trails New York, Sasha Eisenstein with New York State Canal Corporation, Scott Keller with Hudson River Valley Greenway, Tom Sexton with Rails to Trails Conservancy

The session describes New York’s emergence as a trail state, highlights advocacy and planning that paved the way, and offers takeaways for trail systems elsewhere.


posted Jan 23, 2023

An Equitable Approach to Trail Development: Circuit Trails Gap Analysis

In this webinar, PEC coworkers and co-creators of the Circuit Trails Gap Analysis will provide an introduction to the genesis, development, and implementation of the Gap Analysis, including a look at their online mapping portal and recent real-world case studies.


posted Feb 4, 2020

Appalachian Trail Conservation Guidebook

by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

A Conservation Guidebook For Communities Along The Appalachian National Scenic Trail


posted Jan 26, 2018

Applying Foundations of Mountain Trail Sustainability to a Trail Network - Part 1 of 3

It is the first of a series of three on Sustainable Mountain Trails. Each webinar in this series is independent of each other and can be attended individually. Parts 2 and 3 will teach you to apply these principles to a trail network "One Trail at a Time, One Mile at a Time." The course includes Tools and Techniques, Examples, and Case Studies of mountain trail sustainability.


posted Aug 28, 2023

Approvals, Permits, and Compliance

This webinar will walk through the typical processes, jurisdictions, timelines, and documentation needed to get a conceptual trail project through approval and implementation.


posted Jul 28, 2020

Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Standards (2015)

This document contains scoping and technical requirements for accessibility to sites, facilities, buildings, and elements by individuals with disabilities.