Trails Manual Section8

8/14/2019 Trails Manual Section8

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Hard Surface Multiple Use Trails

Site Preservation, Restoration, and Revegetation

As much as feasible, modifications to site landforms and vegetation should be returned to a self-sustainingnative or near-native ecosystem that blends into the surrounding area. This effort begins with careful site andvegetation planning in the project design phase, continues through the various phases of construction, and iscompleted with revegetation at the completion of the project.

Trail closureClosing existing trails, especially eroded trails, is a site restoration effort. Depending on the visibility of theclosed trail and the severity of the damage, the effort required to restore the closed trail can be small ormajor. Guidelines for restoring trails are given at the end of this topic.

Site Preservation

Initial planning for the trail corridor and trail alignment should consider the balancebetween site disturbance and site preservation, and the project design should embody thisbalance. In general, as much of the site as possible should be protected from disturbanceunless the disturbance is a planned improvement to the site which overcomes an existingdeficiency or problem.

In initial planning, consider using the trail as a means of site repair, i.e., placing thetrail in the most disturbed part of the site so that the disturbance is replaced by the trail.Where site repair is used, other parts of the site not directly affected by the trail may alsoneed to be restored and revegetated.

In initial planning, locate any culverts and drainage crossings and decide onappropriate drainage crossing techniques to minimize disturbance to drainage channels.

In initial trail staking, clearly mark the limits of construction activity. Any trees, rocks,or other natural features that are to be preserved but are close to or within the constructionzone should be conspicuously marked for construction crews. In ecologically sensitive areas,consider fencing the construction zone boundary during the construction period (as long as

the fence does not interfere with wildlife).

The initial clearing pass to remove brush should be conservative so that vegetationis not unnecessarily removed.

To help with later site restoration efforts, consider removing and stockpiling about20-30% of dead tree stumps and trunks, surface rocks, and other natural features which canbe replaced later in a naturalistic pattern (see Site Restoration, following).

Remove and stockpile topsoil on site before beginning grading operations.

Avoid disturbing the bottoms and sides of natural drainage channels wheneverpossible.

Minimize unnecessary disturbance by using heavy equipment of the appropriate sizeto do the job.

Use straw bales, erosion control blankets, siltation screens, and other methods asneeded to prevent silt-laden runoff from reaching waterways or damaging areas outside theconstruction zone.

2-103 Trails Design and Management Planning Handbook


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Site Restoration

In constructing and shaping cut and fill slopes and disturbed areas, study and try to copy thenatural variation of undisturbed topography in order to add a naturalistic variation to constructedsurfaces. Unless the undisturbed site is very uniform, constructed surfaces should look as much aspossible like extensions of the existing topography with naturalistic small-scale variations instead ofuniform smooth surfaces.

Feather slopes and constructed surfaces into undisturbed terrain so that the edge is notapparent once revegetated.

Replace topsoil on disturbed surfaces.

Terrace slopes with contours or horizontal pockets that trap runoff and let it soak into thehillside.

If natural rocks, dead tree stumps, dead shrubs, and fallen tree trunks were stockpiledearlier, consider using them to help blur the edges of large areas of new construction. Place thesenear the outer edges of disturbed areas in locations similar to where they were originally so that theundisturbed rocks and vegetation appear to creep into the new construction zone. Carefully placedead trees near live trees of the same type, place tree trunks and branches such that they look likethey naturally fell there, and embed rocks below rock outcrops as if pieces have fallen off. Do not,however, try to create entire wooded areas or rock outcrops - this never looks realistic.



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Site Revegetation

Revegetation should be performed in stages as the project progresses - as each section ofthe trail is finished (or, on longer projects, as the grading is finished), revegetation should bedone for at least grasses and ground stabilizers.

Identify native onsite plants and revegetate with an appropriate mixture of these nativeplants if possible.

In ecologically sensitive area, avoid introducing new species and plants of the same speciesbut with different genetics. In such sensitive areas, it may be best to not plant anything butinstead to simply prepare and mulch the seedbed with a seed-free erosion control/mulchblanket. A more difficult alternative is to harvest native seeds from around the site and plantthese seeds (perhaps volunteers can be enlisted to do this).

Planting patterns for grasses, trees, shrubs, and ground covers should extend existingundisturbed vegetation patterns into the construction zone to replace what was once there, orto produce a naturalistic version of what might have been there.

For new plantings, select low-maintenance low-water species using native species wheneverpossible.

Use a straw mulch or hydromulch on flat or near-flat areas. Use straw, hydromulch, orerosion control blankets as needed to revegetate steeper slopes.

On dry hillsides in poor soils, revegetation efforts should concentrate on getting plants togrow in contours and constructed pockets.

The type of plants and the formality of plantings should complement the natural and man-made plantings around the site and neighborhood. The trail corridor should either seem like 1)part of an adjacent undisturbed area, 2) part of the native ecosystem if one is present, or 3) anextension of the neighborhood if extensive development has masked or replaced the native

ecosystem. Achieving this blend takes precedence over the other guidelines in this list.

New plants must be watered as necessary to help them get established. This may require 3-5 times the first year and during drought months as necessary.

Irrigation systems can be installed as needed, but the use of vegetation which needsconstant maintenance is discouraged unless necessary to match neighborhood context.

Plantings should not reduce trail sightlines below standards.



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Trail Closure

Example of trail closure and re-vegetation using geosynthetics, grass seed and bioengineering techniques onGanaraska Trail system. Stakes shown are 30 cm live willow stakes in addition live willow fascines havebeen added to facilitate slope drainage. Willows will eventually root and grow into shrubs. Geotextile used isSC-200 straw matting.

If the closed trail has eroded into a trench, fill the visible ends to bring the level back up tothe original ground level and install check dams and erosion control blankets as necessary to protectthe fill. Checkdams can be logs from dead trees on site, low stone walls, or charred logs (surfacecharring preserves the wood without chemical treatment).

In other areas of severe erosion, which are not visible from other established trails or accesspoints, build checkdams in the bottom of the trench to prevent it from becoming any deeper.

In less-eroded areas, scarify (break up and loosen) compacted soil and reseed it with anative grass mix matching onsite grasses and vegetation.

If possible, blend the visible ends of the closed trail into the surrounding undisturbed area byextending adjacent rocky areas, vegetation patterns, fallen trees and branches, and other natural

objects into the closed end.

Emulate natural patterns - plant dead stumps with their roots buried, drop dead branchesunder trees as if they fell off the tree, and cover the bare ground with a natural layer of organic debris(needles under conifers, leaves under deciduous trees, dry grass in grassy areas). Often, thesetechniques can visually erase a trail without planting of any kind.

Post the closure with a sign if needed. If possible provide a temporary alternate route.



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Features for the Physically Challenged

Hard surface trails can be excellent fully-accessible facilities for the physically challenged, and while anyhard surface trail designed and built to the standards in this Handbook will be accessible, a fewconsiderations can improve the safety, mobility, and enjoyment of wheelchair users.All or parts of the adjacent soft surface trail, if any, should be built to be barrier-free where feasible (seeguidelines in Crusher Fines Trails for the Physically Challenged, p. 3-49).

Physically-challenged users and a philosophy for accessible facilities

The following three concepts and guidelines form a basis for the philosophy of accessibility:

1. Wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments prefer that accessibility be designedinto the facility from the start, providing a seamless integration that does not draw attention to

accessibility features or to physically-challenged users themselves. Therefore, make every effortto quietly and subtly integrate accessibility into trails and associated facilities.

2. Physically challenged trail users generally also want to be able to take the same risks andhave the same adventures as other users. While this is not practical in the conventional sense,the trail system can allow a measured risk for wheelchair users by not installing railings andwheelguards at every possible dangerous point. Therefore, use wheelguards and railings only

judiciously and only where their use benefits all users.

3. Lastly, some physically challenged users would like the freedom to get off the path. Thisshould be possible on level or nearly level areas beside the trail. Some wheelchair users would


all log or stone check dams in

bottom of the trail. Dig these

the sides of the trail so thaty form dams that trap eroding

ment behind them


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also like to get out of their chairs, and the trail system can make this easier with the use ofseating walls (described below). Therefore, create or use suitable level areas and/or seatingwalls where these can be provided in a subtle, integrated, logical way that is consistent with thesite.

Concrete versus Asphalt

While both concrete and asphalt surfaces are considered accessible, concrete is considered the moreaccessible of the two because of its hard smooth surface and stability over time.

Trailhead Accessibility

Formally constructed trailheads for hard surface trails must include reserved parking for wheelchair users. Toprovide better trailhead accessibility, provide a hard surface for at least the reserved parking area and trailaccess route - the hard surface material can be the same as the trail surface to reduce costs. If the parkingarea does not have a hard surface, at least the reserved parking space and trail access route should besurfaced with crusher fines or other aggregate that forms a relatively smooth and hard surface.

Consider consulting the physically challenged on design issues

No one understands the needs of the physically challenged better than those who are themselves physicallychallenged. In addition to the guidelines given below, consider consulting physically challenged persons as towhat can be done to make a given site barrier-free, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. Small details oftenmake a big difference, and a great deal may be done at minimal or no additional expense or effort if thesedetails can be planned in and built in from the start.



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Hard Surface Trail and Accessible Features Design Guidelines

1. Try to avoid trail grades over 5%. Pushing or manually moving a wheelchair on a grade over 5% isdifficult.

2. Try to break long grades. Grade breaks provide rest stops on long continuous grades.

3. Keep accessibility features inconspicuous while providing for all users. Try to avoid using specialramps, switchbacks, railings, and other features which are obviously only for wheelchair users. Instead,as mentioned above, design hard surface trails to simply be accessible without special features. Railingsand wheelstops should benefit all users, even if wheelstops only benefit psychologically. Allow 42 ofwidth clearance for the wheelchair user.

4. Take the users eye level into account. Wheelchair users see the world from a lower eye level thanstanding users. What may be visible to a standing person may not be visible from a wheelchair. Inparticular, railings often have a horizontal member exactly at the eye level of wheelchair users.

5. Minimize grades at drainage crossings. Instead of possibly sharply dipping down and back up atdrainage crossings, establish a trail grade which dips only slightly, or which uses a bridge, culvert, or fillto span the drainage with minimal grades on the approaches.

6. Try to design circulation patterns that do not tempt general users to shortcut trails.Whenever possible, try not to use switchbacks, dead ends, or other alignments which create temptationsfor general users to shortcut the trail. Try to link features with the trail in such a way that users flow easilyfrom one feature to the next without excessive grades and without taking an obviously roundabout route.Optimizing circulation in this way will often limit and dictate those features the trail can access. On adead-end spur parallel to the main trail, consider a staircase or a formal foot trail from the end of the spurback to the main trail.

7. Provide areas to get off the trail where feasible. Wheelchairs can maneuver in grass and softsurfaces. Where feasible, locate the trail such that level or nearly level areas are barrier-free to trail users(i.e., no swales or slopes between the trail and the off-trail area). These areas do not need hardened orspecial surfaces, or any special treatment other than to be relatively free of wheel-catching holes and

rocks. These areas should not be marked or signed in any way.

8. Provide seating walls for all users where feasible. A seating wall is simply a low retaining wallwhose top is at the same height as the chair seat in a wheelchair. Chair users can then move next to thewall and transfer from the chair to the top of the wall without moving themselves up or down. The wallshould have a smooth stable top (a timber or concrete retaining wall works best) with a gently slopedgrassy or softer area behind the wall on which mobility-impaired users can comfortably move around.



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Equestrian Trails

General

Handling user conflictsUser conflicts on trails open to equestrians usually stem from lack of knowledge of who yields to whom.Commonly accepted trail etiquette is that all other users yield to horses. On trails where user conflicts arelikely or have become a problem, make it known to users that horses always have the right-of-way.

Another user conflict can be inadvertent - spooked horses. Brightly colored clothing, bicyclists, and othercommon sights and sounds on trails can spook some horses, potentially injuring the rider and possiblyothers. Horses tend to be particularly spooked by sudden actions, fast motions, bright colors, and actions orsounds occurring behind them. On trails with moderate to heavy equestrian use, consider posting informationon bulletin boards on how to act around horses.

Equestrian responsibilityLike all other users, equestrians are expected to act responsibly on trails. Regulations for equestrian trailsshould state that 1) equestrian users have some responsibility to spook-proof their horses and 2) thatequestrians should not use soft-surface trails when wet.

Trail clearanceHorse trails require a minimum of 10' overhead clearance. Side clearance from the edge of the trail is 36preferred, 12 minimum.

Trail surfaceEquestrians prefer non-paved surfaces, although paved surfaces can be used. The adjacent soft surface trailof a hard surface path can be used for equestrians in many cases (see below). Crusher fines used on trailsopen to equestrians should optimally have a strong matrix of larger particles to resist the grinding and kickingmotion of horse hooves (see Crusher Fines Characteristics, p. 3-4). On a multiple use trail with littleequestrian traffic, however, optimize the crusher fines for pedestrian traffic.

Equestrian Trail Maintenance

Horses on wet soft surface trails can create serious damage that must be repaired.

Depending on the amount of use, horse manure may need to be removed at intervals.

Heavy equestrian use on soft surface trails may lead to rutting as numerous horses all follow the samenarrow path. If this occurs, the trail may require the addition of crusher fines in order to correct drainageand restore the trail to its original condition. If a rut forms but is not repaired, trail washouts can occur asdrainage features begin to fail.

Criteria for Determining Equestrian Access

Avoid equestrian trails on asphalt or concrete whenever possible (except as stated below).

Keep horses off of crusher fines trails with grades exceeding 6%. If horses are using an adjacent softsurface trail with grades over 6%, have equestrians transfer to the hard surface to bypass those steepsections.

Keep horses off of boardwalks.



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Box culvert underpasses and other tunnel-like situations disqualify a trail for equestrian usage unless thetunnel can be safely bypassed.

If a trail crosses a narrow bridge, consider adding a horse ford. If a ford is not feasible but equestriansare to be accommodated, the bridge should be at least 6 wide.

Blind curves and short sightlines can increase the danger or likelihood of user conflicts or spookedhorses. Trails with either of these should be given a lower consideration for equestrian use.

A horse on a saturated crusher fines or natural surface trail can cause serious trail damage - literallyleaving the trail full of holes. Crusher fines trails subject to occasional saturation should be consideredclosed to equestrians during saturated periods. This should not pose a problem since responsibleequestrians are aware of the damage that horses can cause on wet trails.

Horse manure on trails is an unavoidable problem. If the problem becomes objectionable, first try todiscourage or disperse equestrian usage by channeling equestrians onto other trails. If this doesnt work,consider closing the trail to equestrians. The Collingwood Trails Network can define objectionable on acase-by-case basis.

Urban trails in general should receive only a low consideration for equestrian use, perhaps with a policyof permitted but not encouraged equestrian use.

Cross-Country Ski Trails

General

Cross-country ski access policy

As a non-destructive use, cross-country skiers may be able to use designated or non-designated trails whensite conditions permit. Trails can, however, be explicitly closed to cross-country ski use if they are unsafe tousers or if unacceptable resource damage or wildlife impact has or can be expected to occur.

Cross-country ski only trailsThe Town can also optionally create wintertime routes for cross-country skiers. These can either be 1) trailsdesigned and built explicitly for cross country use or 2) routes which require no structural groundwork andare not detectable as trails in other seasons. These trails and routes can optionally be groomed and signedas needed.

Cross-country ski trail clearanceVertical clearance should be 7-8 above the highest average snow depth (possibly more if groomingmachines are used). Areas with deep snow may need a vertical clearance of 16 above dry ground.

For a single track, the track width should be at least 12 with 30 of side clearance on each side. On gradesand curves where users will snowplow, side clearance should increase to 4-5 on each side of the track. Askate lane requires an 8 track with 1 of clearance on each side.

Trail gradesTrail grades of 0-10% are optimum for recreational and non-expert skiers.



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Factors in Determining Cross-Country Ski Use of Regular Trails

In general, the best cross-country trails are those designed explicitly to be ski trails. Depending on the trailand winter site conditions, well-designed and constructed hard surface and soft surface trails may not serveas well as cross-country trails (or may not be as interesting as designed cross-country ski trails). Nonethe-less, cross-country ski use on regular trails can serve recreational and transportation functions. Following aresome factors for determining cross-country ski use of regular trails:

Bike paths and wider multiple use trails - because of their tread width, clearance require-ments, and grade and alignment restrictions - can often be used as cross-country ski trails withoutmodification, especially in open areas with no vertical clearance restrictions. Underpasses and gradecrossings may cause interruptions in the snow surface.

The decision on whether to plow a hard surface trail, groom it for cross-country ski use, orleave it unimproved for skiing use should be made on a case-by-case basis. The decision shoulddepend on the suitability of the particular trail for cross-country ski use and the cost/benefits ofpedestrian vs. ski use, or no provided winter use.

Soft surface trails can optionally be groomed but should never be plowed.

Grooming a trail will lengthen the snowmelt time in the spring. For a crusher fines trail,

grooming may also increase the amount of time the fines could be saturated. The importance ofearly springtime use should be weighed in the grooming decision.

The wide clearance requirements for cross-country ski use (especially on grades andcurves) may disqualify many adjacent soft surface trails and narrower trails in wooded areas or onsteep cross slopes.

Trails with south or west facing slopes may not be able to hold enough snow for uninter-rupted skiing. Drifting or wind patterns may create local disruptions in the snow surface.

If a groomed trail has a bridge, the bridge must be built to handle both the snow load and thewidth and weight of the grooming equipment.

On any bridge, groomed or not, deep snow can raise the track level toward or above thelevel of the railings, creating a potential safety problem. It may be necessary to occasionally clearsome or all snow off a bridge to prevent this, or to widen the bridge so that users can ski down themiddle without coming too close to the sides. Mitigation measures should be based on the risk andconsequences of falling off the bridge - a low bridge with deep snow below it poses very little riskcompared to a high bridge over an icy stream. The size and number of openings in the bridge railinghas little effect on the ability of the bridge to hold snow, but larger openings make it easier to removesnow from the bridge.

Design details for trails exclusively for cross-country ski use are beyond the scope of thisspecification. Consult experts or other literature for design guidance.



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Hard Surface Multiple Use Trail Maintenance

Concrete, asphalt, crusher fines, boardwalk, and underpasses

For concrete or asphalt trail surface maintenance specifications, see Concrete and Asphalt Maintenanceunder Hard Surface Materials: Concrete and Asphalt, p. 2-17.

For adjacent crusher fines surface trail maintenance, see Crusher Fines Trail Maintenance, p.3-52.For boardwalk maintenance, see Boardwalk Maintenance under Boardwalk, p. 2-93.For underpass maintenance, see Maintenance under Underpasses, p. 2-38.

Inspection, Maintenance, and Preventive Maintenance Checklist

The trail maintenance program is designed to find and fix all problems while they are still small. This calls forfrequent inspections and maintenance that should be relatively easy and inexpensive. Since most repairs areminor when corrected early, most of the regular maintenance should be possible to perform with 1-2 people.

1. Inspect the hard trail surface for cracks or damageCheck the entire trail surface for damage. For concrete, check for cracks, heaved sections, or spalling(flaking of the surface). If the concrete was properly installed, these problems should not occur for manyyears.

For asphalt, check for cracks, potholes, crumbling edges, or surface dryness (lack of asphalt oil on thesurface). Look for evidence that the seal coats are still sealing the surface and creating a waterproof layer.Spot seal any cracks found.

Look for evidence of water and sediment deposited on the trail from above. If the problem occurs frequently,an inside swale or other drainage system should optionally be installed to keep sediment off the trail.If the trail needs sweeping, have this done. Keep track of the times when the path needs to be swept in orderto build a sweeping schedule for the path.

2. On the adjacent soft surface trail, inspect the trail surface, drainage dips, and grade dips

for water damageSee Crusher Fines Trail Maintenance, p. 3-52, for specifications.

3. Inspect side swales and culvertsInspect for the effects of too much water, too much sediment, or poor drainage.

If the bottoms of side swales show erosion (other than erosion of bare soil before the vegetation cover isrestored), an intermediate culvert or other means of draining the swale at more intervals should be installed.In extreme cases, riprap can also be added to the bottom of the swale to harden the swale channel againsterosion.

Inspect culvert headwalls and tailwalls for settling and water damage. If settling, erosion, or water damage isoccurring to these structures, identify the source of the problem and repair it.

If the outlet below a culvert is eroding, add riprap beneath the outlet. Use all sizes of rocks in the riprap to tryto create a more naturalistic appearance.

If a swale or culvert is beginning to fill with leaves or sediment, clean it out long before it fills. If sediment isthe cause, find the source of the sediment and, if possible, reduce the amount of sediment flowing into theswale or culvert. If the sediment is crusher fines from the trail, the source of the trail washout should becorrected.



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Inspect and repair all trail structuresCarefully inspect all trail and trailside structures (including retaining walls, bridges, drainage crossings,railings, signs, fences, etc.) for any damage caused by humans or the elements. Any damage thatcompromises the functionality or aesthetics of these structures should be repaired, as should any minordamage that will become worse in time if not repaired now.

Inspect and repair revegetation effortsCarefully inspect all revegetation efforts. All plantings should be at the appropriate stage of growth depending

on the season and when they were planted. Any areas that are stunted or behind schedule should bemonitored.

Any erosion in revegetated areas should be stopped through the use of erosion control blankets, bales of hayor straw, diverting site drainage, or other appropriate means. The eroded areas should be reseeded orreplanted (if the time of year is appropriate), then protected by mulch or erosion control blankets asnecessary. See Site Preservation, Restoration, and Revegetation p. 2-103, for details.

In maintenance during the spring, replace plantings that did not survive the winter unless site or growingconditions indicates otherwise. For future reference, keep records of which plants do best and worst undertheir site conditions.

Perform general cleanup and repairs

The high-quality public image of the trails and open space property must be maintained. All litter, no matterhow small, should be picked up and hauled off the site. Any vandalism or graffiti should be fixed or removed.Any fallen branches or trees on trails should be removed, as should any live or dead trees that are likely tofall on the trail. In ecologically sensitive or pristine areas, removed wood can be scattered close to where itfell in order to preserve the local chain of growth and decay. In less sensitive or developed areas, removedwoody material should either be hauled off, mulched in a chipper and reused onsite, or broken into smallerpieces and left to decay in widely scattered spots on the site - do not form piles or obvious dumping places.

Examine any social trailsSocial trails are unplanned, unofficial trails created by users, usually by shortcutting. Any social trails, whichhave begun to emerge, should be noted and monitored. Find the reason why people are creating the socialtrail, and if there is good reason for a trail to be there, consider making the trail official now or in the future.Making the trail official means that the trail will need to be designed, constructed, maintained, and managed

according to the standards in this Handbook.

If the social trail is damaging the site or could damage it in the future or if a trail is inappropriate in thatlocation, close the trail and post the closure (see Signs, p. 2-68). The closure will have to be enforced, andthat enforcement will need to become part of the management plan for the main trail and/or the Townproperty.

Hard Surface Trail Inspection and Maintenance Schedule

Most serious potential maintenance problems with the trail surface can be identified and corrected in the first

year. Correcting problems early saves a great deal of damage, time, expense, and inconvenience later.

First Year

Inspection and maintenance are more frequent during the first year in order to find and correct problemsearly. Some of the following inspections can be combined (i.e., performed at the same time) if they would bescheduled separately within the same 6-week period. In scheduling first year maintenance, adhere more tothe purpose of frequent and timely inspections than strict dates.



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After the first hard rainFor hard surface trails, look for water damage or washouts along shoulders, side swales, and culvert outlets.If any damage occurs after only one rain, the problem will be major very soon. Some reconstruction may benecessary, including the substantial modification or addition of new drainage features. One qualified personcan perform the inspection and note the problems, and a crew of 1-4 should be able to repair them. Alsoinspect revegetation efforts to make sure these have not been damaged by runoff. For the adjacent softsurface trail, see After the first hard rain in Crusher Fines Trail Maintenance, p. 3-52.

After two months or several moderate rainsAfter several good rains, two months, or September 1 - whichever comes first - perform allinspection/maintenance items to find and repair problems before winter. The inspection should be done nolater than September 1 to allow time for repairs.

This inspection should again concentrate on repair of all drainage features. Trail structures and revegetationshould also receive special attention. Any social trails, which have begun to appear, should be evaluated andhandled as described in the maintenance checklist.

Every 6-8 weeks during the usage seasonComplete inspection and maintenance should be performed every 6-8 weeks throughout the usage season.Any damage found should be repaired while it is minor, and minor damage that could lead to more extensivedamage later should be fixed now. Do not wait to repair any problems with trail drainage or trail structures.

Joint inspection by the County and trails contractorsAt 4-6 months after completion of the trail (or before winter, whichever comes first), a major onsite designand construction review should be conducted with representatives of the County and trails contractors. Allinspections should be performed jointly by all parties, and all parts of the maintenance checklist should beperformed. The hard trail surface, drainage features, revegetation effort, and all trail structures should bethoroughly inspected. See Section 1 Part L for details.

This maintenance can be combined with another scheduled maintenance if both would be scheduled withinthe same 6-week period.

About September 1 each yearPerform complete inspection and maintenance to make the trail and site improvements ready for winter. Pay

special attention to trail drainage features in order to prepare the trail for its first highly erosive springsnowmelt.

This maintenance can be combined with another scheduled maintenance if both would be scheduled withinthe same 6-week period.

Each Subsequent Year

During spring snowmelt (adjacent soft surface trail only)If there is an adjacent crusher fines trail, perform the inspection/repair given in During spring snowmeltunder Crusher Fines Trail Maintenance, p. 3-52.

In the springOnce the snow has largely melted but before vegetation emerges, perform the maintenance checklist again.A small maintenance crew of 1-4 workers should be able to fix most of whatever problems may haveoccurred. Special attention should be given to preventive maintenance and to all aspects of trail drainage.

Swales and culverts should be checked to make sure they are not clogged or are becoming clogged withleaves or sediments. The source of any erosion of shoulders or swales should be diverted and the erosionrepaired.



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Every 6-8 weeks during the usage seasonComplete inspection and maintenance should be performed every 6-8 weeks throughout the usage season.Any damage found should be repaired while it is minor, and minor damage that could lead to more extensivedamage later should be fixed now. Do not wait to repair any problems with trail drainage or trail structures.

About September 1 each yearPerform complete inspection and maintenance to make the trail and site improvements ready for winter andthe spring snowmelt.

Notes on Maintenance beyond the Second Year

In the third year and after, routine maintenance should become easier and less extensive. The troublesomespots along the trail will be known (and hopefully already corrected). Maintenance of side swales andculverts will always be ongoing. Plants introduced through revegetation should be firmly established. Asphalttrails will need periodic resealing as described under Hard Surface Trails: Concrete and Asphalt, p. 2-17.Concrete trail surfaces should be virtually maintenance-free.

For the adjacent crusher fines trail, see Notes on Maintenance beyond the Second Year in Crusher FinesTrail Maintenance, p. 3-52.

Trail structures may begin to need more extensive maintenance as they age and settle, particularly fences,retaining walls, culvert headwalls, railings, signs, and bridges. This maintenance should be done as neededto maintain the high-quality public image of the trail system. The goal of this maintenance, however, is not tokeep everything shiny and new without signs of age. The natural aging of materials is highly valued as longas that aging does not become an eyesore or compromise the physical integrity of the structure. Asstructures age gracefully, repairs should attempt to preserve and enhance the positive aspects of age.

The creation of new social trails will diminish if consistent efforts were made earlier to close or make socialtrails official. If usage of the main trail greatly increases, however, user pressure will likely create new socialtrails.

In general, if trail usage increases over time or exceeds the usage level for which the trail was built,maintenance will increase.

Major structuresA competent inspector should inspect major structures that affect user safety such as bridges, large retainingwalls, and railings. Generally, this will not be necessary for the first 15 years, and possibly every 5-10 yearsafter that depending on the structure. A bridge or retaining wall designed or constructed correctly should notneed to be completely replaced for 50 years.

If a structure is extensively damaged (flood, landslide, foundation failure, overload, structural failure), itshould be inspected and repaired or rebuilt as necessary.

SignsSigns may need to be replaced every 10 years depending on their condition. Signs should be replaced if theybecome dilapidated to the point that their aging is seen as an eyesore instead of as an interesting character.

Documents

Trails Manual Section8