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.


Learn More

Resources for Project Planning and Design

Introduction to Trail Assessment Using UTAP and HETAP
Introduction to Trail Assessment Using UTAP and HETAP

This webinar will discuss the assessment work that Beneficial Designs does in regards to the Universal Trail Assessment Process (UTAP) and the High-Efficiency Trail Assessment Process (HETAP) and how the data is collected and can be viewed by the…

United States Access Board - Outdoor Developed Areas
United States Access Board - Outdoor Developed Areas

The Access Board is responsible for developing accessibility guidelines for the construction and alteration of facilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) of 1968.

Approvals, Permits, and Compliance
Approvals, Permits, and Compliance

This webinar will walk through the typical processes, jurisdictions, timelines, and documentation needed to get a conceptual trail project through approval and implementation.

THE INTERTWINE Regional Trails Signage Guidelines
THE INTERTWINE Regional Trails Signage Guidelines

This manual serves as a technical resource to guide parks and transportation agencies as they plan, design, and fabricate wayfinding signage along regional trails in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area.

Further Education

Related Training Programs

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Improve this skill

Upcoming Trainings for Project Planning and Design

California Trails & Greenways 2024
California Trails and Greenways Foundation (CTGF)
California Trails and Greenways Foundation (CTGF)
California Trails & Greenways 2024

April 30 - May 03, 2024

The Great Trails State 2024 Conference
The Great Trails State 2024 Conference

September 11 - April 15, 2024

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Custom Trainings

There are 52 trainers on TrailSkills
with Project Planning and Design experience.

Amy

Amy Lutsko

Morris County Park Commission, NJ

Trainer Agency

Morristown, NJ

Don

Don Kelly

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Marion, VA

I have over 32 years of experience performing conservation, trails, and construction related…

Ben

Ben Appleby

Linear Active LLC

Contractor Trainer

Zanesville, OH

I am the founder and owner of Linear Active LLC. I started the business in 2012 after completing my…

Mariah

Mariah Keagy

Sinuosity

Contractor Trainer

Morristown, VT

Mariah Keagy began her career in trail construction and reconstruction in the Green Mountains…

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Hire Workers

There are 198 profiles on TrailSkills
with Project Planning and Design experience.

Alixandra

Alixandra Lamsa

National Park Service

Agency

Seattle, WA

Nathaniel

Nathaniel Brodie

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Hood River, OR

Twenty-four ongoing years of professional experience working and managing iconic and high-use trail…

Michael

Michael Meister

Agency

Nashville, TN

Since 2015 Michael has overseen the maintenance and management for the 1,300 mile hiking, biking,…

Josh

Josh Durham

Trailkeepers of Oregon

Nonprofit

Portland, OR

Joshua

Joshua Simpson

USDA Forest Service

Agency

Mccall, ID

Recreation Program Manager for past 20 years; most recently on the Payette NF, in McCall ID where i…

Kay

Kay Emery

Mountains to Sound Greenway

Nonprofit

Cle Elum, WA

As the Kittitas Stewardship Coordinator, Kay works with land managers within Kittitas County to…

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Trail Skills 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