trail design - DG2 Design

May 22 2018

10 Tips for Trail Design

There is a lot that goes into trail design. In previous blogs I have talked about the importance of trails in communities and designing for trail sustainability but there is a lot more that goes into the design of trails. Here are 10 important tips for trail design:

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Determine the user of the trail. Will this trail be used for equestrian, hiking, biking, or some other activity? This will make a difference in designing the width of the trail.
Determine what the width of the trail should be. The width will vary with activity.
Make sure the surface of the trail is firm and stable.
Survey the area, determine where a good trail could be located and take notes of any potentially harmful areas. Also look out for any environmentally sensitive areas. You will want to avoid those areas for trail building.
Consider all seasons when designing the trail. Considering the vegetation with each season, how the trail will change with the season, etc.
Maintain natural drainage patterns, you will certainly want to avoid flat areas where water will be. (flat areas can cause erosion)
Consider changes in level, you will want to make sure the changes in level works with the tread slope.
Be sure to design the tread so its slip resistant. The trail tread can be built from natural materials or man-made materials.

Design for clear trail corridor. Make sure the vegetation does not intrude above or on the trail tread.
Try to protect the environment while building trails. Minimize impacts from construction and try to protect the surrounding environment.

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Trail Terminology:

Environmentally Sensitive Area: An environmental sensitive area is a place where plants or animal life is highly valued.

Tread: The surface of a trail, on which users walk or ride.

Trail Corridor: Can be thought of as a tunnel through the woods. Includes the slope and tread, as well as the area inside the clearing limits.

Apr 19 2018

Designing for Trail Sustainability

By: Christina Hughey

Figure 1: Trail Sustainablity

Trails provide much more than hours of fun, trails help protect our environment. A trail built for sustainability reduces damage to plants, reduces disturbance to wildlife, reduces damage to soil and much more. A trail built right will last for many years. In contrast a poorly built trail will damage the environment surrounding it. When building a trail its important to build for sustainability.

There are many design tips and requirements to build for sustainability. Here are just a couple of ways to build a more sustainable trail:

Find the right trail location. Although it may seem easier to build on a flat terrain, you shouldn’t build there. If the terrain is flat water will collect or erosion will occur. It will save you time and money to build on the right terrain in the first place.
Another way to avoid erosion is to provide a suitable side slope. Water will always take the easier route downhill. The out slope needs to be greater that the grade of the trail.

You won’t regret building a sustainable trail!

Apr 06 2018

Natural Surface Trails

By: Christina Hughey

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There is no right or wrong trail, just the right trail for the project. Soft surface trails are a natural alternative to paved trails. Offering an inexpensive choice. One great thing about natural surface trails is that you can install them much faster than other types of trails. Although natural surface trails are inexpensive to build they do require more upkeep and maintenance to other trails. The upkeep is relatively easy to do and can be done by volunteers. It’s important to plan for maintenance and put that in place when planning for the trail. Fortunately cost go towards things like removing vegetation, and fixing drainage problems which can be done by volunteers.

Designing a soft surface trail:

Pick your trail surface. With soft surfaces you have a couple different options such as bark mulch paths, and natural earth trail. The best trail surface will depend on the setting and what the trail is intended for.
Choose the trail structure. Trail width is referred to the actual walking surfaces of the trail. Whereas the clearing width refers to the area kept free of brush and limbs. The clearing height means that the height should be cleared up to 8 feet. An overhead canopy of branches should remain to slow the growth of grasses and shrubs underneath of the canopy.
Mind the wildlife and plants that will be affected. Try to avoid having people pick wildflowers or wander of track. These things can hurt the environment in the long run.
Design for sustainability. A well designed trail can save you time and money.

Natural surface trails are great, providing the opportunity to get off the paved trails and feel emerged in nature. Whether used for biking, running, equestrian or just walking. These trails are sure to benefit you and your community!

Apr 20 2017

Gravois Greenway

With timing of yesterday’s blog post about using your greenway, exciting news of the first phase of a $13 million expansion of Grant’s Trail, is scheduled to be completed by Spring of 2018.

Grant’s Trail is a partnership with Great Rivers Greenway, Saint Louis County Parks, Orlando’s Event Centers and private donors. The expansion of the trail is known as Gravois Greenway and is being funded by a mix of grants, donations and Great Rivers Greenway’s taxpayer’s funds.

For more information regarding the Gravois Greenway, read the article at St. Louis Business Journal.

A rendering of the new trailhead at the Gravois Greenway. (Source)

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