Florida Trails Accessibility Program

Through workshops, technical assistance, and partnerships, Florida’s trails accessibility program supports the building of trails that increase recreational opportunities for people of all abilities.

	Taking measurements and notes on trail conditions

Project sponsor: Florida Office of Greenways and Trails

Award Category: Accessibility Enhancement (Overall Plan)

Congressional District: All

Senators: Bill Nelson (D) and Mel Martinez (R)

2008 Annual Achievement Award winner: for trail projects funded through the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Awarded by the Coalition for Recreational Trails.

Universal Trail Assessment Process training

The Florida Office of Greenways and Trails recognized the need to emphasize accessibility for trail users and has used the RTP to help increase trail-related opportunities for all citizens.

Accessibility has always been a part of Florida’s Recreational Trails Program and is woven into all aspects of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Greenways and Trails RTP activities. As part of this focus on accessibility, Florida made good use of the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP).

The UTAP utilizes funding from the Recreational Trails Program to introduce participants to recreational trail accessibility issues.

	Participants in accessibility training

Participants learn how to map trails as to cross-slope, grade, obstacles, and trail width, as well as how to use all this newfound information. UTAP is not only an accessibility assessment tool, but also a management tool. In addition, participants learn how trail sustainability and accessibility are interrelated.

All RTP project sponsors are invited to participate. RTP administrative funds cover the cost of both the UTAP tool kits and the TrailWare computer programs, which are sent home with each project sponsor at the completion of the UTAP Coordinator Training.

For more information:

Alexandra H. Weiss
Office of Greenways and Trails, Department of Environmental Protection,
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: 850-245-2065

For more great trails, see:

• The Florida Trails page and nationwide index of state-by-state trail links
  • Featured National Recreation Trails in Florida

See previous Recreational Trails Program Award Winners:

• 2008
• 2007
• 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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