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posted Jul 24, 2023

Trail Competency Framework

by The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University

A group of nationwide trail professionals representing federal agencies, trail nonprofits, and the private sector initiated this project to develop a common trail competency framework, focusing on enhancing professionalism as well as a higher level of skill.

posted May 9, 2022

Hub for Information on Trail Users

Everything you need to know about trail counters, trail user surveys, and other information to better understand and engage your trail users.*

posted Apr 11, 2022

Impact of Trails Hub

Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.

posted Feb 14, 2022

Trail Planning and Design Hub

Everything you need to know about trail planning and design for long lasting trails.

posted Jan 18, 2022

Shared-Use Trail Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and managing shared-use trails.

posted Nov 9, 2021

Trail Accessibility Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and maintaining accessible trails.

posted Aug 5, 2019

Planning Trails With Wildlife in Mind - Wildlife and Trails Primer

by American Trails Staff

The Primer provides discussion of broad wildlife topics, plus key concepts and rules of thumb to help with trail planning and management.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Fort River Birding and Nature Trail, Massachusetts

The one-mile trail provides a chance to enjoy the natural world at Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail, Delaware

This designated National Recreation Trail runs 4.18 miles through northern Delaware and includes Recreational Trails Program funding.

posted Aug 3, 2020

Minimizing Risk and Liability

by Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Parks Division

This document is a best practices manual intended to give guidance and direction on minimizing risk and liability for persons with an interest in operating and maintaining trails. Specifically, it seeks to help trail operators, managers and owners, mitigate risk and reduce liability, that can arise from trail design, trail use and maintenance operations. The techniques discussed here are intended to be applied with prudence and due consideration of the particular circumstances of each trail.


posted Aug 3, 2020

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.


posted Aug 3, 2020

CDTC New Vision Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan

by Capital District Transportation Committee

This document will review CDTC’s accomplishments in improving the bicycle and pedestrian travel environment throughout the region and identify any shortfalls. It will propose new goals, with a focus on improving the health and increasing economic activity in the region related to bicycling and walking. The document also includes an implementation plan to help CDTC prioritize bicycle and pedestrian programs, projects and initiatives to have the greatest regional impact and achieve the most goals. This updated document has been renamed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.


posted Aug 2, 2020

Prison Hill Recreation Area OHV Management Plan

by Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space

The purpose of the Prison Hill Recreation Area Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Management Plan is to provide the framework to proactively manage the approximately 960 acres open to OHV use by outlining a prescribed set of management activities. The plan will be implemented through a phased approach.


posted Jul 30, 2020

Merced River Trail Community Benefits Study

by Headwaters Economics

The purpose of this report is to describe the economic, quality of life, public health, and other benefits that Mariposa County and its residents are likely to enjoy from the Merced River Trail based on research and experiences of communities with similar projects.


posted Jul 30, 2020

Sheepskin Trail Feasibility Study

by Gibson-Thomas Engineering

The Sheepskin Trail, a rail-trail project is a proposed 34 mile bicycle/pedestrian path that will extend from Dunbar Township to Point Marion Borough at the Pennsylvania/West Virginia state line. The intent of this study update is to utilize and update the 1999 Feasibility Study as necessary based on changes to the trail corridor that have occurred in the past 18 years.


posted Jul 30, 2020

Prescribe-a-Trail Handbook

by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)

All over America, hospitals and regional healthcare systems are beginning to tap into the enormous potential of trails to address local health problems. Trails are now recognized as being vital pieces of public health infrastructure.


posted Jul 30, 2020

Merrymeeting Trail Feasibility Study

by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

This feasibility study examined the development of a multi-use rail with trail along the State-owned railroad, as well as a number of alternate routes. This study does not recommend specific routes, but highlights the possibilities for further consideration by the involved individuals and communities.


posted Jul 30, 2020

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.


posted Jul 30, 2020

2014 WMBC Rider Survey

by Headwaters Economics

The WMBC conducted a survey to target trail users recreating on Galbraith Mountain and elsewhere in Whatcom County. This survey was done entirely online utilizing surveymonkey web-based software.


posted Jul 30, 2020

Jackson Hole Pathways and Trails Survey Full Results

by Headwaters Economics

The purpose of the Jackson Hole Pathways and Trails Survey is to gather public feedback on Jackson Hole’s pathways and trails systems. The results of this first-of-its‐kind survey effort are intended to provide a documentation of pathways and trails usage, satisfaction, strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement. The information in this report provides solid information to help community decision-makers, stakeholder groups, and interested citizens plan for the future of Jackson Hole’s pathways and trails systems.


posted Jul 29, 2020

Maintenance Practices and Costs of Rail-Trails

by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC)

This study presents a more comprehensive understanding of rail-trail maintenance, as has been done for other rail-trail issues such as construction costs, economic impact and rails-with-trails. Such an approach enables the rail-trail community to focus its limited resources more effectively on addressing the most critical issues.