Trail Solutions: A Presentation by Dan Harrison, Michigan Mountain Biking Association MRPA Annual Conference, Grand Traverse Resort, February 7, 2005 A Grassroots Training Program for Volunteer Trail Stewards
Why Trails? • People want them: • Rank high on Quality of Life scale • Correlate with high property values • Versatile: serve wide variety of clients • Cost-effective: Low $$ to create, maintain • Grants: some features may be eligible • MDoT Enhancements • MNRTF Recreation
Trails versus Urban Sprawl • Sprawl is the outward flow of Urbanization • Greenspace in Urban & Suburban areas • Recreational opportunities close to home • Less pressure on undeveloped fringe • Nonmotorized trails allow people to directly experience Greenspace • Recreational use of Brownfields • Revegetation creates new Greenspace • Transient use minimizes health risks • Cost-effective to acquire, remediate?
The Recreation Spectrum • Wilderness: Minimum human presence • Nature Preserve: Low human activity • Rustic Recreation Area: Minimal infrastructure • Multiple-use Playfields • Dedicated facilities: single usage (ball diamonds, tennis courts, golf links)
“Trail Mix” • Trails work best in the “Nature Preserve” and “Rustic Recreation” zones • Can occupy buffer space between less compatible zones • Between a golf course and a natural area • Between residential land and a wetland
The Manager’s Paradigm • Identify Parcel for Trail System siting • Identify Existing Uses • Desirable: Recreation, Nature Preservation • Undesirable: Loitering, Dumping, Vandalism • Identify Future Needs • Contact ALL affected Stakeholders • Establish Forum for Multilateral Communication & Decision-Making • “Friends of” Groups
Why Volunteers? • We work cheap • We’re passionate about our interests • Many of us have valuable skills • Empowering Stakeholders gives them a vested interest • Volunteer labor builds equity for matching fund$
Yeah, but… • Can you ensure quality? • I don’t have staff to supervise you • If there’s an accident, am I liable? • What about the long haul? • You’re always fighting amongst yourselves • More?
The Stakeholder’s Paradigm • Organize as a Legal Entity • Establish Communication with Managers • Set Mutual Goals • Establish Long-term Commitment • Propose Specific Project • Execute Project • Review, Revise, Maintain
Why MMBA? • Established Stakeholder representative • Award-winning performance • State-wide, but decentralized • Nine regional chapters • 2,000 active members • Since 1987 • Affiliated with
MMBA’s Stewardship • 28 trails on State Land: 433 miles • 11 Trails on Municipal Land: 90 miles • 10 Trails on Federal Land: 230 miles • 8 Trails on Private Land: 100 miles • 6 Trails on County Land: 40 miles • 63 trail systems, totaling 893 miles
The MMBA Training Program • Format: Based on Apprenticeship model • Trail Worker (Apprentice) • Crew Chief (Journeyman) • Trail Coordinator (Master) • Content: Based on IMBA Trail School, with Progressive levels of • Skill • Responsibility • Commitment
Level One: Trail Worker • Works under direct supervision • Part of a crew of 4-6 workers • Skill set: • Tool selection • Tool safety • Clearing trail corridor • Removing debris • Grading tread
Level Two: Crew Chief • Works under Trail Coordinator • Task-Oriented • Supervises 4-6 Trail Workers • Skill Set: • Team-building • Basic trail structures • Reclamation of decommissioned trail • Communicate with project director • Maintain safety
Level Three: Trail Coordinator • Liaison between Land Manager and MMBA Chapter • Continuity in spite of Turnover • Spearheads Proposal, Site Visit, Layout • Established procedures from MOU • Coordinates Volunteer Workforce • Reviews Results with Land Manager • Lessons learned, Future directions
About our Textbook… • Developed by IMBA with input from NPS, FHWA’s Recreational Trails Program (RTP) • Theory • Practice • Standards • Compatible with USFS, SCA, etc.
Your Park is our Classroom • Manager Participation throughout • Role-playing exercises (Trails 201 only) • Needs Assessment • Resources Inventory • Layout Analysis (Trails 201 only)
Design Criteria • Control Points: Physical features that affect human behavior • Positive: Attractions, amenities • Negative: Hazards, sensitive ecology • Appropriate to intended use • Sustainable, Low-maintenance • Solve or minimize social conflicts
Raise Your Expectations • Demand Quality • Standards for Work, Safety • Demand Accountability • Areas of Responsibility, Deadlines • Demand Commitment • Long-Term Commitment • Problem of Youth Groups
Key Moments in the Life of a Volunteer-based Trails Project • Decision to go Forward • First Stakeholder meeting • Completed MOUs • Proposal submitted • Initial Site Visit • First Workday • First Review session
Welcome to Paradise Park
“We are not building trails, we are creating experiences” -Kurt Loheit, founder, Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists’ Association (CORBA)
Resources • This slideshow can be downloaded at: www.mmba.org/library/MRPA2005.ppt • MMBA Trail School homepage: www.mmba.org/portal.php?h=trailschool • IMBA Land Manager’s Mountain Bike Management Toolkit: www.imba.com/resources/managers
Thank You! • There is a Questionnaire in your packet. Please complete it and either: • Leave in the box at the back of the room • Fold & mail (preaddressed) • Fax to 313-271-5868 • Complete it online at http://www.mmba.org/library/MRPAsurvey.doc • My email is: dharrisn@hfcc.edu
