Trail Planning, Design & Development Guidelines book

Read a review of Trail Planning, Design & Development Guidelines.

Project sponsor: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Trails & Waterways Division

Award Category: Education and Communication

Congressional District: Betty McCollum (D-4-MN)

Senators: Norm Coleman (R) and Amy Klobuchar (D)

2007 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Awarded by the Coalition for Recreation Trails.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released its Trail Planning, Design & Development Guidelines in March 2007. The 300-page, spiral-bound publication provides a first-ever comprehensive "how-to guidebook" for developing all types of recreational trails.

These "best practices" for professional trail builders are intended to aid Minnesota land managers in applying new, innovative and environmentally "sustainable" approaches to trail planning, design and construction.

Development of the Minnesota Trail Guidelines was funded, in large part, by dedicated trail funds, with additional support from the RTP. The project was undertaken in response to the growing, changing demands for trails of all types, particularly the rapid growth in off-highway vehicle trail use.

The DNR expects this guidebook to prove useful for grant-in-aid trail clubs and volunteers, local government sponsors, educators, and both public and private land managers.the complex and its associated flora and fauna.

The guidelines address both new and existing trail corridors, summer and winter-use trails, and multi-use trails with paved or naturally surfaced treadways.

Practical, low-cost and "low-tech" solutions to the unique challenges faced by Minnesota trail builders are highlighted, recognizing the state's wide range of soil and site conditions, riparian area concerns and climatic extremes. Trail project planning, funding, permitting and environmental review steps are also discussed and references are provided for those wishing to learn more.

For more information:

Brian McCann
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Box 52, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-259-5627

Read a review of Trail Planning, Design & Development Guidelines.

See previous Recreational Trails Program Award Winners:

• 2006
• 2005
• 2004
• 2003
• 2002
• 2001
• 2000

AWARDS and recognition programs:

Awards index
National Trails Awards
CRT-RTP Awards
Website Contest
National Recreation Trails
NRT Photo Contest
Our Awards
Opportunities

Related topics:

Arts and trails
Benefits
Health & trails
Trail building
Volunteers

More resources:

Bibliography
Quotations
Glossary
Acronyms
Tools
Products & services

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