Design a trail to last 100 years continued
and design elements that are combined which lowers erosion and tread degra- dation.
The trail features should be distrib- uted in a manner to feel natural and not forced. Gentle rolling trails that have a feel of developing naturally from the land will carry the traveler along easily, and the drier and more stable your trail stays, the more people stay on the trail.
Ecological sustainability As a physician approaches a patient,
we should remember to approach the natural environment with the same credo to “Do No Harm.” We are stew- valleys that we travel and build upon. Therefore one of the most impor- tant best practices for a sustainable trails is to develop a complete and in- depth site survey that includes a biolog- ical inventory, topography, property boundaries, cultural sites, hazardous sit- uations, existing site features and anchors, and any other key data. This important information will
prove invaluable for choosing best pos- sible routes and layout for your trail. You can plan to avoid sensitive ecologi- cal areas, critical habitats, and threat- ened and endangered species. There may be known delicate eco- logical and hydrologic systems and areas that users will want to experience, avoid negative impact to these areas. Having a clear picture of the exist-
ing features and anchors will allow you to “connect the dots” from one to anoth- er, traveling sensitively through the eco- system and working with the natural topography to design a trail that feels natural and not pushed.
Social sustainability Now you know how to build your
machines, Right? Wrong! Social sustain- ability is sometimes the least thought about but most important of the three pillars of true trail sustainability. Public user acceptance is what keeps a trail used and viable.
16 SPRING 2018
AmericanTrails.org
First, actively engage all stakehold- ers involved with the trail, both internal and external. Identify your current pri- mary trail activities and user groups. Remember to engage users early in the process, before design and construction. Next, gather your data. Use trail counters and cameras to determine type and quantity of users. Conduct surveys with the community through electronic and social media. be; who’s using the trail, how many of them, why are they out there, what do they like, what don’t they like. This information will be some of the most impactful facts you will use later in the
Communicate early and often with
the public through trail signs, print media, open houses, and social media. The quickest way to turn a loyal user base into a meeting room full of angry
villagers with pitchforks and torches is by closing trails with no explanation. An informed community is an engaged, happy, and supportive community.
Putting it all together
Now the real design work starts, bringing together all the information you have gathered: - vey that includes the cultural and bio- logical information.
along with listings of property bound- aries, features, and anchors.
- Next you will establish the trail
identity, also referred to as Trail Fundamentals and Trail Management Objectives. The social survey and mas- ter site planning will drive establishing the trail type, trail class, designed use, and managed use.
Sustainability also involves building trails the right way the first time
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
