Department of Conservation and Recreation Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual The Metacomet-Monadnock trail to Mt. Norwottock The health and happiness of people across Massachusetts depend on the accessibility and quality of our green infrastructure - our natural resources, recreational facilities, and great historic landscapes. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) provides vital connections between people and the environment with over 3,000 miles of trails and 145 miles of paved bikeways and rail trails. Consistent and clearly defined trail policies, procedures, and program guidelines can provide inspiration and direction to managing, enhancing, and developing a successful and sustainable trail system for Massachusetts. DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual Updated March, 2012 Table of Contents Page Implementation Schedule ....................................................................................... iii Definitions .............................................................................................................. iv Section I: Introduction .................................................................................................... 2 Trail Policy and Program Mission ............................................................................. 2 Importance of Trails ................................................................................................ 2 Striving for Sustainable Trails .................................................................................. 2 Promoting Stewardship ........................................................................................... 3 Past Trail Practices with the Agency ........................................................................ 4 Consistency with other plans and regulations ......................................................... 4 Trends in Recreational Trail Demand and Uses ........................................................ 8 Trail Regulations ...................................................................................................... 8 DCR Approved Trail Uses ......................................................................................... 8 Additional Types of Trails......................................................................................... 9 DCR Trail Team ...................................................................................................... 10 Section II: Trail System Planning and Development ................................... 11 Assessing and Planning an Existing Trail System .................................................. 11 Assessing Requests for New Trails or Changes in Trail Designation ...................... 14 Additional Trail Development Concepts ................................................................. 15 Principles of Ecologically Sustainable Trails........................................................... 17 Building Sustainable Trails .................................................................................... 21 Building an Enjoyable Trail Experience .................................................................. 23 Building Accessible Trails ...................................................................................... 26 Permitting .............................................................................................................. 28 On the Ground; Putting It Together ....................................................................... 30 Trail Design and Construction Resources ............................................................... 32 Section III: Trail System Management, Maintenance and Monitoring ......... 34 Trail Classification ................................................................................................. 34 Trail Maintenance .................................................................................................. 37 Trail Signage .......................................................................................................... 43 Trail Mapping ......................................................................................................... 52 Partnerships, Friends and Volunteers .................................................................... 54 Understanding and Managing Conflicts .................................................................. 55 Special Trail Uses ................................................................................................... 57 Appendix A: Trail Planning and Management Fundamentals Appendix B: Trail Proposal and Evaluation Form Appendix C: Appendix D: Appendix E: MA DCR Volunteers in Parks Prgram Draft (1-1-12) Appendix F: USFS Trail Design Parameters (6/18/2002) Appendix G: Mapping Trails the DCR Way Appendix H: Biodiversity Conservation Initiative; Conditions Guidance Codes Appendix I: Additional Maintenance Specifications Appendix J: Erosion and Sedimentation Control Techniques DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual Updated March, 2012 Implementation Schedule (Revised March, 2012) The initial edition of the DCR Tails Guidelines and Standards Manual was completed, approved and distributed at the 2008 DCR Trail School. The Manual was reviewed and revised by the DCR Trail Team in January of 2010 and 2012, and will continue to be reviewed and revised every two years. Some elements of the Manual will require years to fully implement. The following table proposes a timeline for implementation. Element Implementation Date Comments Trail Regulations 2012 DCR CMRs continue to be reviewed and should be completed in 2012 Trail Team January 1, 2008 DCR Trail Team was established in January 2008 and meets approximately 3 times each year. Trail Planning and October 21, 2008 Trail planning and development Development Standards guidelines and standards for different uses and classes of trail were complete in the 2008 edition Complete Trail Inventory 2012 The trail inventory is a critical milestone in trail management and is on track for completion in 2012 Implementation of Trail 2013 Maintenance standards Maintenance Standards implementation for all trails is dependant on staffing levels and DCR priorities; however, maintenance standards will establish a benchmark for basic levels of trail management. Trail Signage - 2008 for new trails and Implementation should follow the new signs prioritization outlined in the - 2012 for main Signage section intersections -Full implementation by 2015, all parks and trails Maps Unknown Final standards to be developed in cooperation with DCR Graphics and GIS staff Partners and Volunteers 2012 Procedures for engaging partners and volunteers in trail maintenance or development will be finalized in 2012 DCR Trails Guidelines and Best Practices Manual Updated March, 2012 Definitions Compaction The downward force that compresses soil caused by trail use. Heavier modes of travel and higher amounts of trail use cause greater compaction. Some compaction is desirable to harden tread and reduce displacement, but Highly compacted soils cause trail tread to sink, reducing natural infiltration and the ability for soils to drain. Displacement The sideways movement of soils caused by inevitable kicking, grinding, and acceleration of feet, hooves and wheels. Amount of displacement is a function of grade and force exerted on tread. The steeper the grade the faster soil particles move downhill. Displacement tends to increase erosion by loosening soil particles. Reduce displacement by limiting trail grade or modes of travel. Erosion The movement of soil caused by the forces of water or sometimes wind moving with enough force to transport soil particles. Erosion is a natural process, so expect it and learn how to accommodate it. Grade The slope of the trail. Measured as a percentage, it is the rise of the trail divided by the horizontal distance of that rise. Percent grade formula = rise over run multiplied by 100. The steeper the grade, the more likely it is to erode. Avoid the shortest route down a hill (fall line) and flat areas that do not drain. Generally, average trail grade of 10% or less is most sustainable. Half rule – a trail’s grade should not exceed half the grade of the side slope that the trail traverses. For example if the side slope is 30% the trail grade should not exceed 15%. Trails Trails are designated, marked and signed routes that people use recreationally for such activities as walking, running, hiking, biking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle use, snowmobile riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Other special uses include wheelchairs or similar “mobility devices,” carriages, dogsleds, and in-line skaters. Trails may or may not serve other, non-recreational forest purposes such as forest management, fire control, and emergency access. Other special types of trails include accessible trails, water trails, historic trails, educational, or interpretive trails. Trail System A Trail System is the sum of all of the recreationally used, designated, and marked routes in and connecting to a continuous area - park, forest, reservation or management unit. Trail systems are usually managed cohesively. Trail Corridor A Trail Corridor contains the traveled pathway (tread), and surrounding land that protects and enhances the trail experience. Trail Corridors are often associated with long-distance trails traveling through diverse landscapes and multiple land owners. For example, the Appalachian Trail, a long-distance trail