From Concept to Construction: Building a Long-Distance Adaptive Trail

Webinar Outline

The Wilderness Gateway State Trail is a newly developed, adaptive-optimized long-distance trail in the South Mountains of western North Carolina. This webinar shares the story of how Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina came to pursue an adaptive trail design, the construction techniques and lessons learned along the way, and how FCNC is continuing to advance the project through outreach and future planning. The presentation aims to demystify the process of building adaptive trails and equip participants with insights and practical considerations for expanding accessibility and welcoming a broader range of trail users.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify key planning and design decisions that can lead to adaptive trail standards, including how to recognize opportunities to expand accessibility during the construction process.
• Participants will be able to describe construction approaches and design considerations that support adaptive trail use, including common challenges, early mistakes, and practical solutions/features that improve accessibility.
• Participants will be able to outline strategies for promoting adaptive trails and building long-term engagement, including branding approaches, community engagement methods, and emerging recreation opportunities such as adaptive bikepacking.

Location

This is a virtual training. See the event website for more details.

Trail Competencies

• Project Planning and Design
• • Define Purpose, Need, and Feasibility of Project
• • Corridor Planning

• Program Administration
• • Education and Public Outreach

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.