The future of trails: Cooperation Continuing the series on “Breaking Down the Silos”


I


n my position as the Executive Director of American Trails, I often talk to one group of trail users about a challenge they have in working with members of other constit- uencies, and turn around and hear the same challenge brought up in reverse. There is a great need, in my opin- ion, to bring together our trails commu- nity. We must work to understand the needs and desires of trail users outside of our own sphere, and more than any- thing, we need to have our (inevitable) disagreements in private, rather than in  news media.


Did you know…


…that equestrians make trail steward- ship in wilderness backcountry more effective?


Equestrian volunteers have the ability to take large amounts of sup- plies, camps, equipment, and people deep into a designated Wilderness area where there are restrictions on the use of mechanized equipment. Hiking organizations have found that they can’t get much trail work done over three miles into anywhere. It’s too time consuming for hikers to go much further in and still get a day’s work done. Back Country Horsemen of America organizations are valuable partners when members haul their camp and gear into place. If a trail is open to stock, it is open to everyone.


…that mountain bikers have brought amazing energy to the trails movement?


Even folks that are not the biggest fans of mountain biking and mountain bike trails are grudgingly admitting that the mountain bike community has brought a new energy to the steward- ship of our trail systems. For example, Charlie Dundas, (long-time PTBA mem- ber) has said, “mountain bikers have been the salvation of the trail system in this country. No ifs, ands, or buts about it… I cannot help but give them, just all kinds of credit for having turned around the trail building industry.”


…that off-highway vehicle users pay the taxes that fund a large portion of trails?


One of the largest sources of trail funding on the federal side, is the Recreational Trails Program. This is a   fuel use gas taxes, yet it funds trails all across the spectrum of trail users and is one of the most successful and long- lived examples of bipartisan support of trails.


…that hikers provide a huge portion of the engaged trail stewards in our country?


The Partnership for the National


Trails System (PNTS) tracks annual vol- unteer hours on our nation’s National Scenic and Historic Trails. According to PNTS, between 1995 and 2018, over 19.1 million volunteer hours were logged


maintaining, building, and clearing some of the most iconic trails in our  $377 million. In 2018, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy alone logged nearly 200,000 volunteer hours. That is a lot of passion and willingness to pitch in.


…that snowmobilers are providing key support for summer rail trails?


Abandoned rail corridors have his- torically been used in northern states as key snowmobile trails for winter recre- ation. Many of our nation’s most important rail trail projects were strong- ly supported by biking, hiking, and snowmobile constituencies by keeping these routes open to traditional snow- mobile use in the winter. Through these multi-constituency partnerships, trail 


...that road cyclists are forging new information technology for trail users?


An innovative project in Ireland


addresses the desires of the road biking - tances that meet their exercise regimen. This system, and its association with signage and technology, is a new devel- opment in the trails world that can  other trail systems.


...that improvements for wheelchair users are helping all Americans get fit?


The concept of Universal Design is


merging with the concept of Sustainable Design to create trail experiences that serve the full spectrum of Americans. Trails that address the needs of older, younger, disabled, and unhealthy trail users are becoming easier and easier to  International Trails Symposium entitled “Sustainable Trails for All” addresses this need head on. Don’t miss it!


  types of trail users, we can become a force in community development  America.


The Lake Wobegon Trail is just one example of motorized and nonmotorized groups joining forces to preserve trail opportunities


— Mike Passo, Executive Director, American Trails


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