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Separate trails in the same corridor provide for different activities.
by Stuart Macdonald, Trail Consultant, American Trails
In many urban trail corridors the sheer amount of use creates some difficulties for sharing the trail. Wider trails are one solution. But how wide do you want to make the trail? And does a single surface material satisfy all trail users? In many cases, the better solution is to provide two or even three pathways or trail treads with different surfaces. Other treatments seek to make the separation of treads more clear. The two treads may be adjacent or some distance away. The secondary tread may even be an informal path made by mountain bicyclists or horse riders. Signs or pavement markings may also be provided to clarify the separation.
Adjoining treads, one hard surface and one soft, is the typical situation; Highline Canal Trail, Aurora, Colorado
Slight separation between the adjoining treads, one concrete and the other natural surface often used by equestrians; Crown Hill Park trails in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
The paved trail is on the canal embankment while the unpaved tread is at the edge of the corridor; Highline Canal Trail, Greenwood Village, Colorado
Informal trail tread along Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, PA
Runners use the soft surface path along paved Schuylkill River Trail, Philadelphia, PA
Well-built crusher fines trail is separated from concrete Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, CO
Patterned concrete marks the walking trail while the bike trail is asphalt; Pacific Beach, San Diego
Raised boardwalk trail is for pedestrians on Downtown Lakewalk, Duluth, Minnesota
Raised boardwalk trail is for pedestrians on Downtown Lakewalk, Duluth, Minnesota
Crusher fines trail is separated from concrete Cherry Creek Trail, Denver, Colorado
Crusher fines trail marked for pedestrians along Mary Carter Greenway by the Platte River, South Suburban Park District, Colorado
Separated bicycle and pedestrian routes, both paved, along West River Parkway, Minneapolis
Signs between the bicycle and pedestrian routes on separated bicycle and pedestrian routes, both paved, along West River Parkway, Minneapolis
Adjoining treads, one hard surface and one soft, is the typical situation; Highline Canal Trail, Aurora, Colorado; December 2010
Stencils on separate paved bike and pedestrian lanes in Seattle's Alki neighborhood
Crushed rock trail adjacent to concrete greenway; Clear Creek National Recreation Trail, Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Equestrians have made their own informal path along Van Bibber Creek Trail; Jefferson County Open Space, Colorado
ATVs have their own road base tread along Tri-County Recreation Corridor; Superior, Wisconsin
Published August 2018
Stuart Macdonald spent 19 years as Colorado's State Trails Coordinator. He is the editor of American Trails Magazine. During 1998-99, he represented State Trail Administrators on the national committee that proposed regulations for accessible trails. He chaired the National Recreational Trails Committee, which advised the Federal Highway Administration in the first years of the Recreational Trails Program. Stuart grew up in San Diego and his main outdoor interest besides trails is surfing. He has a BA in English from San Francisco State and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Utah State.
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