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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
Patterned concrete marks the walking trail while the bike trail is asphalt; Pacific Beach, San Diego
Crusher fines trail marked for pedestrians along Mary Carter Greenway by the Platte River, South Suburban Park District, Colorado
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
Crushed rock trail adjacent to concrete greenway; Clear Creek National Recreation Trail, Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Published August 2018
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