NEWS • TRAINING • TECHNOLOGY • FUNDING • LEGISLATION • RESOURCES TheThe futurefuture ofof trailstrails andand greenwaysgreenways inin AmericaAmerica NewNew Years Years 20072007 American Trails NEW YEARS 2007 On the Cover: The bridge over the Corps of Engineers’ Murray Lock and Dam connecting trail systems in Little Rock and North Little Rock, AR (photo by Drew Harris, CJRW) Features The Future of Trails and Greenways in America 6 Recommendations put forth at the National Trails Symposium By Robert Searns, American Trails Chair The biggest dam bridge of all 8 A bridge of dreams in Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock will host the next National Trails Symposium in 2008 National Trail Awards for 2006 10 American Trails recognizes volunteers, professionals, and trails community leaders For more on all of the award winners see www.AmericanTrails.org/awards/index.html National Recreation Trails Photo Contest 14 Great photos of great trails in the 2006 contest sponsored by American Trails See the winners and all the entries at www.AmericanTrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails Health and trails in Michigan 16 Suburban trailways master plan helps counter unhealthy trend By John J. Crumm,AICP and Gerard P.Santoro,AICP American Trails and National Trails Symposium news 22 New American Trails Board Members and Patron Members Facts and figures from the National Trails Symposium October 19-22, 2006 The “Medical Mile” 30 Innovative walkway for health hailed by national trails leaders By Terry Eastin Surfaces for accessible trails 34 From the new Accessibility Guidebook on Outdoor Recreation and Trails By Janet Zeller, USDA Forest Service Trail Tracks Editorial: Why do people leave the trail? 38 America’s national historic trails come in many shapes, sizes, and partnerships By Karen Umphress,American Trails Board Member NEWS • AWARDS • RESOURCES • EVENTS • PEOPLE • PLACES • PROJECTS www.AmericanTrails.org 3 American Trails Little Rock in 2008 Executive Committee Bob Searns, Chair, The GreenWay Team, Inc. Roger Bell, Vice-Chair, Professional Trailbuilders Assn. Terry Hanson, Treasurer, City of Redding Jim Wood, Secretary, FL Office of Greenways & Trails Hulet Hornbeck, Member at Large Mike Passo, Member at Large, Elakah Expeditions Pam Gluck, Executive Director The future of trails— in Arkansas Directors By Pam Gluck, Executive Director, American Trails John R. Collins, Jr., PhD, University of North Texas Mylon Filkins, DVM, Equestrian Representative hy did we choose Arkansas as the location for the next Marianne Fowler, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy National Trails Symposium? I’m excited to share some of the Gil Penalosa, Walk & Bike for Life W Joe Taylor, Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau “wow factors” that amazed me and led to the final decision in mak- Karen Umphress, NOHVCC ing Little Rock the place to be in November of 2008. Bob Walker, MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks Tim Wegner, International Mountain Bicycling Assn. First, we are all trying to make the connection between trails and Terry Whaley, Ozark Greenways health. Little Rock’s cutting-edge Medical Mile project, coordinated Advisory Board by trail innovator Terry Eastin, is a linear outdoor health museum. It Steve Anderson, Pima County (AZ) Parks & Rec. Dept. is “lighting the way” for us to learn how to work with the medical Peter Axelson, Beneficial Designs, Inc. Dana Bell, Senior Project Coordinator, NOHVCC community and bring hospitals and physicians across the country Nathan Caldwell, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service “on board” with trails. See page 32 to learn more about it. James Coffman, RLA, ASLA, Coffman Studio Tom Crimmins, USDA Forest Service Retired Then there is the Big Dam Bridge project, over the Arkansas River, Christopher Douwes, Rec. Trails Program Mgr., FHWA Troy Duffin, President, Alpine Trails, Inc. that is a shining example of how to take a BIG vision and make it John C. Fegan, Bicycle Program Mgr., FHWA happen. Judge Buddy Villines of Pulaski County had the concept and Mark Goldbach, Nat’l Trails Coordinator, BLM worked tirelessly to make it happen. He says “We build roads Jan Hancock, Equestrian Representative Patti Klein, Nat’l Stewardship Coordinator, BLM because we have to move cars in commerce. We build trails to Erik Larsen, Palmer Course Design improve the quality of life for our citizens.” Read more on page 8. Kay Lloyd, Past Chair, American Trails Board Stuart Macdonald, Nat’l Assn. State Trail Administrators The mayors of both Little Rock and North Little Rock live trails. Roger Moore, Associate Professor, NC State University Deb Salt, Nat’l Trails Coordinator, BLM Jim Dailey, Mayor of Little Rock, believes “The artistry of our land- Rodger Schmitt, BLM Retired scape, the health of our citizens, and the desire for innovative eco- Michael Schuett, Assistant Professor, Texas A & M nomic stimulus that harmonizes with the environment have given us Jonathan Stephens, Trails Program Mgr., USDA Forest Service a mandate for developing the Arkansas River Trail.” Scott Weaver, Student Conservation Association Mayor Patrick Hays thinks, “The River Trail is one of the most American Trails Magazine scenic bicycle and walking trails in the country.” Terry Eastin and I American Trails Magazine (ISSN 1082-8303) is the maga- zine of American Trails, the nonprofit organization dedi- had the memorable experience of touring the lovely North Little cated to quality trails and greenways within 15 minutes of Rock River Trail with Mayor Hays. This proud and enthusiastic every American home or workplace. Editor: Stuart H. Macdonald “father” of the trail actually helped lay out sections of it. Subscriptions are $35 per year or free with membership– The leaders and people of Little Rock are enthusiastic about their see page 28 for membership form. Reprints and copies. Unless otherwise noted, articles trail projects and are just as excited to share them with you at the may be copied or reprinted if credit is given to American 2008 National Trails Symposium. So mark your calendars and join Trails, American Trails Magazine, and the author. For reprinted articles and excerpts, contact the original author us in Arkansas in 2008! or publisher. Contributions. We welcome contributions on trails Identification Statement issues, advocacy, and news, either original material or suggestions from other publications. We cannot pay for Publication's title and number: American Trails Magazine (ISSN submissions, but authors will receive full credit. 1082-8303) Advertising. For advertising rates, please call (530) 547- 2060. Issue date: January 10, 2007 American Trails Statement of frequency: Published three times a year P.O. Box 491797 Authorized organization's name, address, phone number: Redding, CA 96049-1797 American Trails, P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 Phone (530) 547-2060 Physical Address: 21750 Rolling Hills Drive, Palo Cedro, CA Fax (530) 547-2035 96073 - Phone (530) 547-2060 [email protected] Issue Number: Volume 35, Number 3 www.AmericanTrails.org Subscription price: $35 per year or free with membership 4 NEW YEARS 2007 American Trails The National Trails Training Partnership www.NTTP.net American Trails to help states meet trails training needs MERICAN TRAILS’ GOAL FOR TRAINING is to Aexpand efforts to provide better education programs and technical assistance by working with the states and local communities, nonprofit groups, and agencies who are plan- ning, building, and managing trails. • The states may provide training venues, and may charge a We are expanding key elements of the National Trails training fee. The goal of in-state travel is to reduce travel Training Partnership (NTTP) to better serve the needs of the time and cost for the participants and for the states. nationwide trails community, both motorized and nonmotor- These educational workshops are available for your agency ized. We are working with the State Trails Programs to help or nonprofit organization. Each workshop can be coordinated bring more training and expertise directly to them. with a state trails conference or other training event, held as These efforts are in support of the Recreational Trails a single event, or held as a series in different locations. The Program goals to help local trail project sponsors build better goal is to bring more training to the staff and volunteers who and more cost effective trails. We are emphasizing accessible need it, while minimizing travel and other expenses. trails, assessing trails, trail crew leadership, developing a • Understanding Accessibility and Building Better Trails state training program, and working with developers. • Universal Trail Assessment Process Workshop States may use RTP Educational Funds for safety and envi- • TrailWare Workshop ronmental protection, including training for trail planning, • Trail Crew Leadership Training design, construction, maintenance, operation, and assess- • Creating a State Trails Training Program Workshop ment. States may pay for the training, and could charge a fee • Working with Developers Forum to attendees to recoup some or all of the workshop costs. For information on hosting the workshops, contact Pam Benefits of Bringing Trainings to the States: Gluck, Executive Director of American Trails, at (530) 547-2060 or [email protected]. • Bringing training to the states saves scarce travel funds, reduces travel time, and eliminates the need to obtain out- of-state travel permission. NTTP can help publicize your • Staff and volunteers receive training they could not get without significant time