Best Practices: new resources Visit our library of studies and research at
www.AmericanTrails.org/resources
Redwood National
Park accessibility plan A major planning goal of the National Park Service is to improve acces- sibility for visitors with disabilities. Work involves identifying barriers that limit access to park programs, facilities, and services; and developing transition plans to improve accessibility.
Economic benefits of
river-based recreation “The Huron River National Water
Trail and its Trail Towns are the back- bone of a river corridor revitalization that is making the Huron River valley a destination in Michigan and the Great Lakes,” states The Economic Impact of the Huron River. The study looks at Canoe and Kayak Outfitters, Trail Town Shops and Restaurants, and Fly Fishing Guides and Outfitters. It notes that rec- reation users of the Huron River and trails along it “valued the experience of engaging in their activities at $108.2 million annually.”
Download the study at
http://atfiles.org/ files/pdf/Huron-River-Econ.pdf.
Trail users surveyed
on New York pathways An Analysis of the 2015 Trail User Survey & Count was prepared by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Fifteen trails were selected for this study which used a variety of surveys and interviews with trail users. The report provides an interesting comparison of different kinds of trails, each with their own use patterns and types of visitors. The results indicate
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that biking was the most popular activi- ty on the trails and health and exercise was the primary reason for visiting a trail. The majority spent between one to two hours on the trail, but traveled five miles or less to reach the trail. From this and geographical information systems (GIS) analysis based on zip code data, it is clear how many of the trails serve local populations.
Download the 70-page study at http://
atfiles.org/files/pdf/ NY-TrailUsers.pdf.
At Redwood National Park units in northern California, challenges that were identified include providing direct access to old-growth redwoods, beach access for visitors who use wheelchairs, and park accessibility information. The 112-page Accessibility Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan details parking, signs, interpretation, restroom siting, accessible routes linking facilities, and access to trails. Trail users also need trailhead sig- nage which details trail conditions, such as trail width and the first trail segment with running slope greater than a 5%.
The Accessibility Plan can be downloaded at
http://atfiles.org/files/pdf/Redwood- NP-Access-Plan.pdf. A PowerPoint presen- tation detailing the evaluation of accessi- bility at Redwood National Park is at
http://atfiles.org/files/ppt/Redwood- Access.ppt.
Hiking trail in Redwood National Park; photo from U.S. Department of the Interior WINTER 2017-18
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