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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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.

Leanna

Leanna Joyner

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Trainer Nonprofit

Asheville, NC

Leanna currently leads the development of systems, services, and protocols to support Appalachian…

Kim

Kim Frederick

Chinook Associates LLC

Contractor Trainer Agency Corps Nonprofit Higher Education

Golden, CO

Kim Frederick has over 45 years of experience in the design, development and management of…

Allie

Allie Maloney

Contractor Trainer Nonprofit

Whitefish, MT

Allie Maloney is the Coordinator for the Flathead Trails Association. Her experience includes trail…

Jay

Jay Hoots

Hoots, Inc.

Contractor Trainer

Edmonton

JAY HOOTS – Hoots Ltd. Owner (2005 - Current) Qualifications: • Professional Bike Park / Trail…

Emma

Emma Bixler

CorpsTHAT, Inc.

Trainer Corps Nonprofit

Baltimore, MD

I have worked in the conservation corps industry for over 10 years with a focus on creating…

Caelan

Caelan Parker

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Mccall, ID

I am an early-career trails professional with the Forest Service. I have seven Agency field seasons…

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Hire Workers

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

William

William Jones

USDA Forest Service

Trainer Agency

Hood River, OR

In my sixth year working wilderness, motorized, and non-motorized trails for the Forest Service;…

Brooke

Brooke Scatchard

Sinuosity

Contractor Trainer

Morristown, VT

Brooke’s many years of experience in planning, building, and riding mountain bike trails provide a…

Gravity

Gravity Logic

Gravity Logic

Contractor

Whistler

Gravity Logic was founded by the team that helped build the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. We’re a…

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…

Frederick

Frederick Johnson

Agency

Upper Marlboro , MD

30 plus years in park management, forestry, horticulture, Wild life and conservation I manage over…

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