Massachusetts Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual

Department of Conservation and Recreation

The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depend on the accessibility and quality of our green infrastructure - our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes.

by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation


Ma Trails Guidelines Best Practices


Published October 2014

About the Author


The Department of Conservation and Recreation is steward of one of the largest state parks systems in the country. Its 450,000 acres is made up of forests, parks, greenways, historic sites and landscapes, seashores, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and watersheds.

More articles by this author

More Articles in this Category

World’s Most Comprehensive Mountain Bike Trail Development Resource Made Possible by Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Funds

Mountain Bike Trail Development: Guidelines for Successfully Managing the Process,” a 242-page “how to” manual covers modern trail development from trail types, to landscape analysis and design, to environmental and construction considerations, cost implications and more.

Equitable Access to Trails Discussed at 2023 International Trails Summit

If you will be joining us at the ITS in Reno NV April 17-20, 2023, don't miss these speakers and their sessions featuring topics related to equitable trails access.

Top 10 Requests for Trails and Outdoor Recreation Master Plans

Tony Boone and Jon Altschuld are both Board Members of the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA), and both will be presenting at the 2023 American Trails/PTBA International Trails Summit. Their companies, Tony Boone Trails, and Chinook Landscape Architecture are Sierra-level sponsors for the conference.

County of Los Angeles Trails Manual

The purpose of this Trails Manual is to provide an accessible resource that can be used for trail planning, design, construction, and maintenance within the County of Los Angeles