Best Practices: new resources Visit our library of studies and research at www.AmericanTrails.org/resources

The 40-page plan discusses prob- lems and solutions along the right-of- way with many maps and photo con- ceptions of variious designs. It includes case studies of some important trails.

Download the report at http://atfiles.org/ files/pdf/gsct16.pdf.

Ramps for accessible

outdoor facilities Ramps, typically used for building

access, are often sometimes provided on trails to give a sense of high acessibility. See our “Cool Trail Solutions” gallery with examples of ramps as part of trail routes. Ramps have a specific definition as access to buildings in the “ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities” (ADAAG).

Making trails count

The Final Report on “Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas” noted that “Because the terrain in outdoor environments is often steep, the committee realized that applying current ADAAG slope and ramp requirements was not feasible.”

in Illinois A new report studies the runners, walkers, and cyclists who are making hundreds of thousands of visits to six regional trails around Illinois. More than 30% of trail users report- ed visiting the trail 21 or more times during the past year. Trail visits soared above 100,000 annually at trails near metro areas, while rural trails num- bered visitors in the tens of thousands. “To bars and grocery stores and B&Bs in towns like Toulon, and Bureau Junction, and Vienna, numbers like that count,” said Steve Buchtel, executive director at Trails for Illinois. “It doesn’t take a new interstate interchange to move the needle.”

Download the report at http://atfiles.org/ files/pdf/count-il.pdf.

Trail or Rail with Trail

debated in Santa Cruz The Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line

runs 32 miles along the central California coastline. Rail advocates have argued for investment in railroad operation, with trails where possible. Other advocates have proposed a Trail- Only option which is detailed in the Great Santa Cruz Trail Plan.

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Access the photo gallery on trail ramps at http://tinyurl.com/zenehen.

Economic analysis of

Florida trail system This project studies the Little Econ

Greenway, West Orange, and Cady Way Trails in Orange County and Winter Garden, Florida. The survey shows trail users average $20 per visit in expendi- tures. With 1.7 million visitors each year the trail system supported 516 jobs and had an estimated positive economic impact of $42.6 million. The 101-page report, Economic Impact Analysis of Orange County Trails, anayzes the surveys of the three trails and an appendix includes detailed responses for all survey questions.

Download the report at http://atfiles.org/ files/pdf/ orange-econ.pdf.

Photos below: A ramp from the accessible parking area leads to a viewpoint and benches on Colorado’s Molas Pass