Project Planning and Design

Project Planning and Design Skills Include:

    Project Cost Estimation

    Ability to determine cost of project construction, maintenance and related oversight, permitting and planning (including tools, consumables, volunteer and staff time, equipment, materials), locating sources of professional and technical assistance, and evaluating contract proposals.

    Implementation Plan

    Accurately interpret specifications, construction process notes, and construction documents to develop an implementation plan based on available labor and funding.

    Trail Specifications

    Identify trail elements (i.e. tread material, width, height, grades, and structures) that are appropriate for the intended use, resource conditions, budget, and stewardship capacity.

    Design

    Delineate the trail alignment, width, height, grade and structures appropriate to the intended trail use.

    Trail Plans

    Transfer field-delineated trail design (location, alignment, structures), along with construction process, materials, notes, special conditions into a document that will guide the trail development process.

    Interpretation

    Identify specific interpretive and educational opportunities on trails to contextualize the visitor experience (e.g., history, habitats, scenery, flora/fauna), and make recommendations for interpretive method.

    Permitting

    Ensure compliance with applicable permitting requirements including (but not limited to): National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), Section 106 of the Antiquities Act, the Historic Preservation Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), local and regional permitting, water/wetland crossings, environmental review compliance, etc.

    Universal Design/ADA Accessibility

    Use universal design principles, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Architectural Barriers Act accessibility standards to design, layout, and lead construction of accessible trail and trail facilities.


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Resources for Project Planning and Design

Improve this skill

Upcoming trainings for Project Planning and Design

Initiation to UX Design for Trails
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Initiation to UX Design for Trails

April 21, 2023

Reno/Tahoe area, Nevada

Terrain Dynamics for Trail Folks
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Professional TrailBuilders Association
Terrain Dynamics for Trail Folks

April 21 - 22, 2023

Reno/Tahoe area, Nevada

Beyond the Garden Path: Trail Planning for Private Landowners
Beyond the Garden Path: Trail Planning for Private Landowners

May 06, 2023

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Custom Trainings

Here's a list of Trainers with Project Planning and Design experience:

Erin

Erin Amadon

Town 4 Trail Services LLC

Contractor Trainer

Troy, Me

Erin Amadon's passion for trail work began over two decades ago when she first served as a member…

Andy

Andy Crowley

Contractor Trainer

Ashland, Nh

Conservation Trail Services LLC. Working with private, non-profit, and…

Pete

Pete Englund

Legacy Trails LLC

Contractor Trainer

Madrid, Ia

Pete Englund had been performing crew based trail work across 12 different states for 18 years…

Kim

Kim Frederick

Chinook Associates LLC

Trainer
Marc

Marc Hildesheim

National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC)

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit
Jacob

Jacob Hyde

Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Hire

Trail Workers with Project Planning and Design Experience

Matt

Matt Able

USDA Forest Service

Agency
Erin

Erin Amadon

Town 4 Trail Services LLC

Contractor Trainer

Troy, Me

Erin Amadon's passion for trail work began over two decades ago when she first served as a member…

Heide

Heide Andersen

Agency

Winthrop, Wa

I am a Recreation Planner for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. I am responsible for…

Anna

Anna Baklund

Tread Lightly!, Inc.

Nonprofit

Kelso, Wa

Hi! My name is Anna and I'm the Program Manager for Washington and Oregon for Tread Lightly! I work…

Danielle

Danielle Berry

Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Nonprofit
Justin

Justin Blackstead

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Sun Valley, Id

I have building and maintaining trails since 2008. Most of my experience has been in motorized and…

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Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Corps Network