A sustainable trails that complies with the trail accessibility guidelines without changing the setting or outdoor experience.
by Peter S. Jensen, Trail Planner/Builder, Peter S. Jensen & Associates
At Crotched Mountain in Greenfield, New Hampshire, sustainable trails are also accessible trails. The Crotched Mountain Foundation’s new trail system was designed and built to the proposed federal trail accessibility guidelines and was official opened in June 2011.
The trail system is fully accessible, ranging from a wetland loop at the lowest point to a stunning vista at the summit of a knoll 300 feet above. The entire trail is perched on the southerly side of Crotched Mountain with views of Mt. Monadnock.
The trail system provides a total of 3.6 miles of pedestrian recreation through lowbush blueberry fields, pine forests, dense hardwoods, meadows, and wetlands. It provides a thorough visual explanation of the morphology of this part of southwestern New Hampshire.
Construction of these trails was accomplished over a four-year period using native materials for the stone trail structures and the trail surfacing. Bridges and boardwalks were constructed of imported materials. The majority of the trail system is a 5 foot wide treadway. Other sections are 4 feet wide and 3 foot wide. A combination of machine built and hand built trail exists on the property.
This sustainable trail system has become the focal point for training workshops on trail development using the proposed federal trail accessibility guidelines.
For more information on the trails at Crotched Mountain please visit www.crotchedmountain.org.
Peter S. Jensen is a trail planner/builder with more than 45 years experience planning and constructing pedestrian trails throughout the northeastern United States. His company has planned and built many miles of trail through open and forested terrain for a variety of non-profit and government clients. His philosophy is to plan and construction trails which minimize impact to the environment and provide the greatest access for all people. In the late 1990's he served as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s representative to the U. S. Access Board’s Regulatory Negotiation Committee on Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas where he helped shape guidelines for development of new trails, camping facilities, picnic sites, and beaches. Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC continues to plan, design, construct, and consult on the development of sustainable trails for all people. The group also is involved in technical skills training for youth, volunteers, and agency/non-profit staff, an important component of their work. Peter S. Jensen &Associates, LLC has been a member of the Professional Trailbuilders Association (PTBA) since 2001.
Contact: [email protected]
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