Climate change and disaster recovery has had a significant impact on our environment—affecting various aspects of human life, including outdoor recreational activities. The impacts of climate change are affecting the quality and accessibility of multiuse trails and it is essential to take action to make these trails and greenways more resilient.  Climate change is a […]

In 1996, Fayette County received a planning grant from Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and selected Mackin Engineering to conduct a trail feasibility study. A major study goal was to define and assess the potential trail route. The 1999 Feasibility Study produced evidence that the Sheepskin Trail was a viable project. As […]

The main objectives of this report were to provide the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with guidelines for the structural design of bicycle trail pavement and recommendations for bicycle trail pavement maintenance. A design procedure based on three construction traffic factors and three pavement load levels was developed for Portland cement concrete, hot-mix asphalt, and […]

The City of San Jose Reflective Striping Specifications outlines the specifications, requirements and execution of retro-reflective thermoplastic pavement striping for the City of San Jose trail system. Created by the City of San Jose

A guide prepared for land trusts, watershed councils, federal, state and local land management agencies, landowners interested in wetland education, ecotourism, or related subjects. The summary is based upon a series of studies and workshops conducted by the Association of State Wetland Managers (ASWM) including a survey of approximately 100 wetland interpretive sites, most of […]

The need for this report arose from a discussion between CSX Railroad and the City of Philadelphia over safety and liability concerns regarding street-level access to the Schuylkill River Park Trail in Philadelphia.This paper reviews surveys performed by RTC and the U.S. Department of Transportation which found no crashes between trains and trail users on […]

This document summarizes Best Management Practices (“BMPs”) that should be considered before, during, and after former railroad lines are converted to recreation trails. These BMPs have been developed to eliminate or minimize potential exposures to residual oil or hazardous materials commonly found along railroad rights-of-way being converted to rail trails. This document also identifies locations and conditions […]

This comprehensive report provides information and recommendations regarding feasibility, potential benefits, legislation and liability, planning, designing, operation and maintenance of rails-with-trails. It’s technical and specific guidelines and helpful diagrams make it an excellent resource for trail builders. Author: ALTA Planning + Design

The purpose of this manual is to encourage citizens, civic organizations, governments and private enterprise to collaborate more effectively on greenway and trail development. It is intended to provide information and resources specific to Pennsylvania for greenway and trail planning, acquisition, construction and management. Created by Pennsylvania Environmental Council