published Nov 13, 2020

Concrete Trails Keep You on the Right Path

by Philip Kresge with National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

If a hard surface recreational trail is in your future, you owe it to yourself to look at the benefits of cost, construction and long term reduced maintenance that can only come with a trail paved with concrete. (This article is sponsored content.)

published Sep 14, 2020

How Permeable Pavers Make a Difference

Permeable Pavers provide stable, low-impact pathway through Rookery Bay Research Reserve.

published Jan 1, 2016

Environmental Impacts from Mtn Bicycles, Electric Mtn Bicycles, & Motorcycles

by International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

The emergence of electric bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes, is a rapidly growing component of the bicycle market in the US. As a transportation option, they represent an opportunity to reduce vehicle use and emissions, as well as the physical barriers to cycling. For use on trails, they present similar opportunities to reduce barriers to cycling but, as a new use, present new challenges for trail management.

published May 31, 2009

Sustainable Trail Development

by International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

What is a sustainable trail? Building a sustainable trail system takes into account many factors. Most importantly, a sustainable trail should have as little impact to the environment as possible; this is accomplished through proper trail planning, design, construction and maintenance. A properly built trail will last for generations to come with little maintenance needed and will blend into the natural surroundings.

published Jul 1, 2009

Preventative Maintenance for Recreational Trails

by Minnesota Department of Transportation

The growth in recreational trails owned by the State, Cities, Counties, and Park systems over the last 20 plus years has exploded. Most if not all efforts related to recreational trails over these years has been focused on construction of new trails. There have been little organized efforts in trail preservation and or preventive maintenance (PM) methods to extend the usable life of the trails. The agencies that have a PM programs for their recreational trails rely on treatments that started out as highway or street treatments that may have been modified for use on the trails.

published Jan 1, 1999

Trail Maintenance Guidelines

by Santa Clara County Parks

This Trail Maintenance Manual was developed as a field guideline and procedure manual for Park staff responsible for the maintenance, construction, and operation of the Santa Clara County Parks trails’ system.

published Jun 1, 2012

Best Practices for Bicycle Trail Pavement Construction and Maintenance in Illinois

by Illinois Center for Transportation

The main objectives of this report were to provide the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with guidelines for the structural design of bicycle trail pavement and recommendations for bicycle trail pavement maintenance.

published Nov 30, 2004

Stabilized Engineered Wood Fiber for Accessible Trails

by USDA Forest Service

Trails made with wood chips are difficult for those who use mobility aids because the surface is soft, uneven, and shifting.

published Dec 8, 2019

BioSpan Creates Environmental Green Non-Toxic Chemical Products for Paving and More

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

An interview with Dr. Sheldon Chesky, President & CEO of BioSpan

published Aug 20, 2019

What You Need to Know About Building Trails with Crusher Fines

by Lois Bachensky with USDA Forest Service

A crusher fine trail combines the rustic feeling of a natural surface trail with a surface type that's durable (but not concrete or asphalt). The natural gravel-like surface feels more like a trail than a hard surfaced path and fits in well with primitive settings.