Resource Library:

Planning And Design

Subcategories • Accessible Trail DesignCase StudiesCost EstimatingFeasibility StudiesLivable/Active CommunitiesLand Acquisition and ConservationMaster PlansSignage and InterpretationTrailheadsTrail Networks DesignTrails as TransportationClosing Trail System GapsWildlife and Habitat



published Mar 2017

Blackstone River Bikeway (2017)

The Blackstone River Bikeway is a 48-mile-long route connecting Worcester, Massachusetts with Providence, Rhode Island. The Bikeway generally follows the historic Blackstone River and utilizes an off-road multi-use path and an on-road facility.


published Jan 2022

Benchmarking Bike Networks

by League of American Bicyclists

This report summarizes guidance and best practices to create safer bicycle facilities and connect them into networks that allow more people to safely bike to more places within and throughout communities.


published Jan 2014

Wilderness Stewardship Plan Handbook

by National Park Service

The purpose of the Wilderness Stewardship Plan Handbook 2014 is to provide direction for creating wilderness stewardship plans, driven by the concept of preserving wilderness character. The Handbook focuses on how to incorporate wilderness policy and wilderness character into a wilderness stewardship plan and also offers a general overview of planning and compliance to be useful for those with and without a professional background in planning.


published Oct 2011

Ice Age National Scenic Trail: Trail Stewardship Notebook

by Ice Age Trail Alliance

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail (NST) is a thousand-mile footpath highlighting Wisconsin’s renowned Ice Age heritage and scenic beauty. The Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) and its partners can shape users’ experiences. As stewards of the land and the Trail, we can help users develop a connection with the land and create a sense of wonder — even pique their curiosity enough to further explore the Trail.


posted Feb 28, 2024

Grand Canyon Greenway: From Vision to Reality

This webinar will feature three members of the original design team who will take attendees through the vision, design, and development process to develop the Grand Canyon Greenway.


published Mar 2023

Adaptive Recreation: Hiking and Biking for Mobility Device Users

by Quinn Brett with National Park Service

This U.S. Fish and Wildlife presentation by Quinn Brett focuses on trail information and trail usability.


published Jan 2024

Trails Across New York: A Grassroots Guide to Developing Greenway Trails

by Parks and Trails New York

This guide walks advocates and trail planners through the steps needed to see a greenway trail completed. The first section outlines the steps needed to get a project started, from identifying the corridor to cultivating the vision that will help inspire engagement and public support, and eventually lead to buy-in from state and/or local government.


published Jan 2016

STEP IT UP! The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities

The Call to Action provides strategies that communities can use to support walking, which we hope will result in long-lasting changes to improve the health and health care of Americans today and of the generations that follow.


posted Jan 5, 2024

Community Driven: How Engagement Guides the Vision and Planning of a Community Wide Trail Network

With an emphasis on community wide trail networks, the best practices explored in this session will better equip professionals and community members toward creating vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable communities through trail development.


posted Jan 3, 2024

Trail Assessment for Accessibility and Sustainability

This webinar will explore the process of assessing natural surface pedestrian trails for accessibility and sustainability and will focus on developing new trails as well as conversion of existing trails.