NOTE: These model documents are provided for the purpose of illustration and education and do not represent the variety of protection options that can be accomplished with Trail Agreements or Conservation Easements.

SAMPLE TRAIL AGREEMENT

River Valley Trail Agreement

Land Trust

I, ______, owner of property located at ______, hereby grant permission to the Land Trust (“Grantee”) for the construction, marking and maintenance of a segment of the River Valley Trail across my property as shown on the attached sketch, and for the trail segment’s non-motorized recreational use by the public.

This permission is granted upon the condition that, so long as Grantees invite public use of the trail, Grantees agree to maintain the trail, discourage littering and other acts that would encroach upon the natural features of the trail corridor or diminish its attractiveness, take steps to educate users in trail etiquette, and include guidelines for users in maps and other trail publications. Grantees will post rules and regulations at trail entrances prohibiting (1) access by motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, dirt bikes, motorcycles and all terrain vehicles; and (2) littering, picking or injuring plants or trees, injuring or harassing livestock or wildlife, building of fires, hunting and trapping.

Because I am not charging the general public to use the trail, I will enjoy the limitations on liability provided by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including M.G.L. Chapter 21 Section 17C, for any injuries incurred by others while using the trail segment.

This Agreement shall take effect immediately and shall expire at midnight on December 31, 200___, and shall automatically renew for one year on that date and each subsequent December 31, unless either party notifies the other in writing prior to such time.

______Landowner

______Address

______Date