Guidelines and Best Practices for the Design, Construction and Maintenance of Sustainable Trails for All Ontarians - Trails for All Ontarians Collaborative 2006
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The vision put forth in the Ontario Trails Strategy clearly identifies what are "best practices" for trails in Ontario . It is a system of trails that is "environmentally responsible" and available to "all Ontarians". These two issues have been the guiding principles of this project . The principles of sustainable design were used to ensure that the construction and maintenance information reflects the best practices for environmental responsibility and optimizing social and economic sustainability. Universal design principles guided the information provided in relation to enhancing access to trail opportunities for all Ontarians. Although information about trail design was not originally envisioned as part of the Trails for All Ontarians Collaborative project, the volume of questions and feedback received regarding trail design, rather than construction and maintenance, encouraged us to provide a very brief overview of the principles of sustainable and universal design as well as trail design guidelines.
Trails that are designed, constructed or maintained according to these guidelines should be promoted as sustainable and universally designed . Including a short statement on trail maps, trailhead signs or web sites such as "The Red Trail was designed to meet the Guidelines for Sustainable Trails for All Ontarians" will let all trail users, and potential users, know the minimum standard that can be expected on the trail. For the majority of trail groups, ensuring that their trail meets these minimum guidelines and best practices will require little or no changes to their current practices . For example, the Oak Ridges Trail is constructed with a clear tread width of 1.0 metre. That standard is the same as the minimum recommended width contained in these guidelines for hiking-only trails, so no change to current Oak Ridges Trail Association practices are required to meet that requirement. For other trail groups, such as those who are building steep trails, close to the fall line and using water bars to control on-trail drainage, meeting these recommended practices for sustainability and universal design may require the adoption of a newer approach to trail design and construction (curvilinear layout).
Many trail groups, including those involved in developing these guidelines, find it challenging to think of the wide range of abilities that may occur among the users of their trail. These guidelines encourage the development of the broadest range of trail opportunities, including extremely difficult and remote trails. The key concept unique to this project is "sustainable trails that all of us can use together" . Trail groups that offer a difficult, back-country trail (e.g., the hiking trail in Pukaskwa National Park) should consider the needs of male and female users, users of different ages, users from different cultural backgrounds, users from different socio-economic backgrounds, users with varying levels of trail experience and users with different abilities or disabilities. The same broad range of trail users should be considered by trail groups that offer an easy walk in a local city park, a bicycle commuting trail, a cross-country ski trail or any other trail opportunity for human-powered use.
It's really just a matter of the "mind set" . Do you think of "trails for us" and "other trails for them" (regardless of who "us" or "them" are) or do you think about providing the wonderful experience offered on your trail to all of the potential users who have the necessary skills and experience . No trail group consciously decides to exclude certain groups. However, spending a day watching who is using your trail can be very informative and highlight potential barriers that have not previously been recognized. Ask yourself whether women or older adults use your trail as much as men or younger adults or whether people who are deaf are ever seen on your trail. If these or other groups of potential users seldom use your trail, try to find out why. Trails that have the majority of users from only one or two demographic groups are seldom sustainable, either socially or economically. Ensuring that a broad spectrum of potential users can enjoy your trail is the best way to build support for your efforts within your local community.
Universal design [13] is a philosophy that attempts to meet the needs of the widest possible range of potential users. It means considering the needs, interests and abilities of everyone , not just those "like us" or "most expected", from the very beginning of the design process. Universally designed facilities can be enjoyed by people of all abilities , without specialized, individualized or additional modifications.
When applied to trails, it means creating a trail that can be enjoyed by a broad spectrum of people (but always within the intended user groups). Universal design does not mean making every trail available for use by every possible trail user . Hiking trails can be only for hikers, not cyclists or equestrians . However, a universally designed hiking trail is one that recognizes that all hikers have different abilities to use a trail . Some trail users have a lot of experience, others are novices. Some are very fit, others are unfit. Some are co-ordinated and agile, others are less co-ordinated. Some hikers use a wheelchair or power scooter as a personal mobility device, while others use a walking stick or backpack to make their hike more enjoyable. A universal design approach to trail design means that the needs of all of these users are considered and accommodated, to the greatest extent possible.
The vision of the Ontario Trails Strategy is to make trail opportunities available to all Ontarians. "All" Ontarians includes people who often do not use trails, such as older adults, families with young children, people from different cultures and people with disabilities. Applying a universal design philosophy to trail design is the most effective way to ensure that all of the users and potential users in your community can enjoy the benefits of your trail . Keep in mind that individuals who use wheeled forms of mobility (e.g., manual or power wheelchair, power scooter) because of a disability are considered pedestrians, and must be permitted on hiking trails even if other trail users on wheels (e.g., cyclists) are not permitted. Similarly, working dogs (e.g., seeing eye dogs) are permitted on trails even if other dogs are not.
It is often assumed that the philosophy of universal design applies only to paved trails, trails in urban or suburban areas, or trails that are naturally easier to negotiate (e.g., rail trails). That assumption is incorrect. The philosophy of trying to offer your trail experience to a broad spectrum of potential users applies to all types of trails, from the wide, paved trails of our cities to the single-track hiking trails in remote areas of the province. Not everyone will want to use all types of trails, but trail groups should avoid creating barriers to trail use for some Ontarians through inappropriate design, construction or maintenance practices.
The seven principles of universal design 13 (see Appendix B: Principles of Universal Design Applied to Trails for examples for trails) are:
Applying the philosophy of universal design is an important part of the best practices for Ontario trails for many reasons. While it is true that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code have prohibited discrimination in the provision of public facilities and services for several decades, it is more important to look beyond the legal requirements for maximizing access to all Ontarians. In linking the Ontario Trails Strategy to Active 2010, the government and trail organizations supporting the strategy have chosen to support trails as an effective way of increasing opportunities for physical activity as an avenue to physical and psychological health benefits.
In the past, many groups of individuals in Ontario have been vastly under-represented among Ontario trail users. These groups include women, families with young children, older adults, people with disabilities, and certain cultural groups, to name just a few. Clearly, the way that trails have been traditionally developed, through formalized recognition of ad hoc travel pathways, does not address the needs of a large sector of our population. It is essential that designers recognize the continuum of abilities among all trail users . Trail design based on the philosophy of universal design will make future trail development a "best practice" for ensuring that all Ontarians have access to the many benefits of trail use. Trails, and associated facilities and services, which are developed using a universal design philosophy are much more successful in enabling all individuals to participate and ensuring the social and economic sustainability of the trail.
The benefits of universally designed trails include:
Recreation trails should provide all users with access to the same range of trail experiences . This means that trails should be designed to reach destinations or points of interest and travel through various environments. Avoid developing "a trail with no reason", such as a very short trail suitable for very young children that doesn't have a destination or reason for the trail to exist. Providing access to a wide range of potential trail users is best achieved by providing trail information in multiple formats and by minimizing grade, cross slope, barriers, and the presence of surfaces that are soft or unstable.
In the past, many "accessible" recreation trails were either confined to urban areas or designed to be very short, and have little grade or cross slope and a wide, paved surface. Typically these trails made a loop around or near the parking lot or access point, or were adjacent to a picnic area or nature centre. In rural areas, individuals looking for a short, easy stroll, such as travellers who need to stretch after driving long distances, often enjoy these trails. In urban areas, these types of trails are often enjoyed at lunchtime by workers in the immediate area. Although these types of trails may meet the needs of some users, they usually do not provide the complete trail experience available in the area or over the total length of the trail. It is important that trails be designed so that all potential users can access and experience the full range of environments and experiences available.
It is critical that designers recognize that people with and without disabilities can and do use all types of trails . Some people, with and without disabilities, choose to travel on extreme trails, such as to the summit of Mt. Logan, Canada's highest peak. Others rarely, if ever, venture off of the sidewalk. Therefore, trail designers should keep in mind that some people with disabilities will always be able and interested in using a trail regardless of its exact design specifications.
Any trail intended for pedestrian or human-powered use should be designed, constructed and maintained using these guidelines and best practices . Ensuring that trails follow these guidelines will optimize trail sustainability and enable trail use by all those travelling under human power, including people of different ages or abilities, and those who use devices such as strollers, wagons, crutches or wheelchairs. Trails that are not designed for human-powered use, such as single-user mountain bicycling, horseback riding, or off highway vehicle trails, are not addressed by these guidelines. Nevertheless, they should be designed to provide access to permitted trail users of all abilities. For example, a horseback-riding trail should ensure that the trail and all provided facilities can be used by equestrians with and without disabilities.
Trail designers and builders should always strive to design, construct and maintain their trail according to the principles of universal and sustainable design . However, in situations where it is not feasible to meet all of these guidelines and best practices through the full length of a trail, the trail should be designed and constructed to comply to the greatest extent possible. Keep the sections that do not fully comply with these guidelines as short and infrequent as possible. The more that trail conditions vary from these guidelines, the less sustainable the trail will be and the larger the proportion of people who will not have access to the trail experience .
For example:
Universal design trails differ from other trails in many ways. In most cases, the difference is in the spectrum of users who enjoy the trail. A universal design trail can be used by a higher proportion of the population, which makes the benefits of trail use more broadly available. Diversity among trail users is a hallmark of universal design trails . Trail users represent a broad spectrum of people, from different age groups, both genders and a variety of cultures.
It is also important to recognize that universal design trails differ from those that have traditionally been labelled "accessible" or "barrier free" . An "accessible" trail is one that complies with legal standards for access by people with disabilities. The standards that will be developed for trails through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) are one example of legal standards against which a trail can be judged as either "accessible" or "not accessible".
Trails that are "barrier free" may or may not comply with accessibility standards but they are generally free of obstacles, barriers or changes in level that would make access difficult for those using crutches, canes or wheeled forms of mobility (e.g., strollers, wheelchairs, scooters). In contrast to "accessible" or "barrier free" trails, a universal design trail recognizes that each trail user will have different abilities and that some people (such as those who are unable to go outside) may not have access to the trail experience. Universal design strives to minimize , to the greatest extent possible , the proportion of potential trail users who cannot access the trail .
"Sustainability is an approach to decision making that incorporates the interconnections and impacts of economic, social and environmental factors on the quality of life of today's and future generations. It is a dynamic and evolving notion, and as a process, it strives to be participatory, transparent, equitable, informed, and accountable." [14]
There are three key components of sustainability :
The concept of sustainability challenges us to think in new ways . No longer can sustainability be considered only in terms of environmental impact. We must also think in terms of economic and social sustainability. Essentially, accepting the goal of sustainability requires that we develop a new perspective on what we do and what we, as a community, want to achieve . It requires us to think about our issues and challenges in a new light, focusing first and foremost on the interconnected-ness of environmental, economic and social issues .
Efforts based on the concept of sustainability recognize that environmental, economic and social issues are strongly intertwined and that achieving any one without the others is not possible. We must consider not only how an issue will affect our environment, but also how it will affect us economically and how it will influence our society. Sustainability stresses co-operation rather than competition and the promotion of our personal "agenda". Creating a truly sustainable community requires the co-operation and active involvement of all sectors of society , including governments, leaders, businesses, not-for-profit organizations and community members.
Based on the above definition, how does the concept of sustainability apply to trails? Trail sustainability is a process of trail design, construction and maintenance that seeks to maximize the probability that the trail can be maintained over the long term . Although it is often assumed that sustainable design relates to environmental sustainability, it is important to recognize that trails must also be sustainable from the economic and social perspectives.
An environmentally sustainable trail is one that will be compatible with the natural environment over the long term . Trails that experience on-going erosion are examples of trails that are not environmentally sustainable. The choice of construction and maintenance techniques can also influence the environmental sustainability of a trail. For example, a bridge built with pressure treated wood may leach toxic chemicals into the surrounding environment if the wood is not properly treated and physically separated from the adjacent soil.
Economic sustainability refers to the ability of a trail to support its own costs . For example, a cross-country ski trail that attracts a large number of fee-paying users will be able to generate the revenue necessary for trail maintenance and snow grooming. If the trail requires a constant infusion of significant funds, the long-term economic sustainability will be more difficult to predict. In general, the economic sustainability of a trail is closely linked to its social sustainability . Trails that are supported and used by a larger proportion of the population are generally more likely to generate sufficient revenue for on-going operations and maintenance. However, economic sustainability is also linked to environmental sustainability because trails that are not compatible with the surrounding environment are more difficult, and therefore more costly, to maintain .
Social sustainability is determined by the community response to the trail . A trail that is championed by one dedicated person may be quickly abandoned if that person moves or loses interest. In contrast, trails that are enjoyed by a large proportion of the local population will likely have continued support over the long-term.
The type and scope of techniques that will be utilized in developing a sustainable trail will vary tremendously. Each trail will be located within a specific type of environment, have available specific economic resources and will be socially supported by a specific community. Based on these unique features, the sustainability strategy most suitable for each trail can be developed.
Sustainability must be at the core of the Ontario trail system. Trails are costly to build and even more costly to maintain. Only a small proportion of the "costs" associated with trails are monetary . All of the resources needed to provide trail opportunities, such as land, volunteers, trail organizations, and maps or web sites, are extremely limited. Trails that are not sustainable cost too much, in terms of damage to the environment, loss of community support and the waste of volunteer time, expertise and effort . We cannot afford to invest our scarce resources in the creation of trails that are "here today and gone tomorrow".
Environmentally sustainable trails allow us to use our scarce natural environments more effectively . At first glance, it may seem that natural (particularly rural and remote) environments are plentiful in Ontario. While it is true that those environments cover much of Ontario, it is also true that they are relatively inaccessible to most residents and visitors, at least for use on a daily or weekly basis. Provincial legislation protecting areas such as the Bruce Trail, Oak Ridges Moraine, and southern Ontario "Greenbelt" will do much to preserve our most precious natural areas.
However, even paved trails in the heart of urban areas, such as Toronto's Martin Goodman Trail, are a scarce and precious resource that must be protected. Remember the reasons that trails are built. Trails are designed to bring us to or through an environment. Whether the environment is remote and untouched or highly developed, the trail must not fundamentally alter the experience of the environment for trail users . Environmentally sustainable trails allow us to experience all of our many unique and richly varied environments in a way that allows those environments to be preserved and protected for generations to come.
Socially sustainable trails allow communities to gain and maintain a vested interest in the health of the trail experience and trail environment . Communities that believe in the benefits of a trail will work harder to maintain, protect and enhance the opportunities that the trail provides. Research indicates that socially sustainable trails also have benefits for communities at large, beyond the immediate trail users. For example, the presence of a frequently used trail can enhance the safety of a neighbourhood [19] and crime can be prevented through appropriate design of the built environment [20]. Trails have also been shown to increase interaction between neighbours, promote acceptance of diversity and decrease social isolation.
Socially sustainable trails are also more likely to be economically sustainable . Broader community support translates into more volunteers helping with the trail, who spend more time and effort on trail activities, and more people donating more money to ensure the trail's long-term viability. The economic sustainability of a trail is also closely linked to its environmental sustainability. Trails that are designed to fit within and complement the surrounding environment require fewer resources for construction and maintenance. By minimizing the resources needed to provide trail opportunities, and maximizing the benefits of trails for all Ontarians, the network of trail opportunities across Ontario will be not only sustainable but also expandable into the future.
The majority of existing trails in Ontario were never designed or constructed for the purposes of sustainability and universal design. As stated earlier, most trails developed from historic paths of travel or routes opened for other purposes (e.g., logging). Despite the apparent lack of planning, many trails are sustainable and universally designed. The "trick" is to know which trail is which.
In keeping with the vision of the Ontario Trails Strategy [21], over the long term (10 to 20 years) the goal should be to maximize the sustainability and universal design of all trails in Ontario . This can best be achieved by developing a realistic transition plan designed to start "where the trail is at" and move towards the desired goals for sustainability and universal design. The development of an effective and appropriate transition plan can be achieved through the following steps:
The following are a few quick and easy "tricks of the trade" to enhance the sustainability or universal design of existing trails.
Always construct or install structures and facilities designed to be accessible .
Experienced trail users of all abilities will have their own "tricks" for travelling along a trail, even if it doesn't meet the standards of "accessibility" that will be required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disability Act (AODA 2005). Ensure that when trail users arrive at a facility that it is available for their use, by replacing existing facilities that need to be replaced with a design that meets accessibility requirements.
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