Opposition/Common Concerns:

Working with Opponents
Everyone who has built or used a trail or greenway knows and understands the benefits of trails and greenways to communities, whether it be positive economic impacts, environmental conservation or public health benefits. Nonetheless, some projects run into opposition. In the worst cases, opposition has led to verbal confrontations, legal battles and damaged property. However, in some cases, opponents are now trail advocates. The key to turning initial opposition into support is to plan properly, anticipate concerns and obstacles, create strong partnerships and involve the public early in the process.

The most common concerns shared by many people include safety, vandalism, liability and environmental impacts. If you take the initiative from the outset to inform the public about the trail project, listen to their concerns and keep them involved in the planning process, you will have a much easier time building strong support and creating a trail for your community.

Anticipating Obstacles and Planning Ahead

Helpful Hints for Working with Opponents

First-hand Experiences

To help trail developers address the many concerns citizens may raise about the idea of trails, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has published three comprehensive reports on related subjects. Although these reports are focused specifically on rail-trails, many of the lessons learned can be applied to trails and greenways of all kinds. 

Rail-Trails and Community Sentiments (1.58M)

Rail-Trails and Safe Communities (778K)

Rail-Trails and Liability (916K)

Anticipating Obstacles & Planning Ahead
When planning your project, you should think about what hurdles you may need to overcome to successfully complete your project. This section was adapted from a workshop at the 1999 Land Trust Rally titled, "Creating and Implementing Successful Strategies in Community-Based Conservation Programs," presented by John Stokes and Mike Treault with the Nature Conservancy. By answering questions such as those provided below, you may be able to anticipate some obstacles and plan for them.

1. What is the goal of your project? Do you want to create a multi-use trail, protect valuable open space, provide pedestrian access to an historical site or create a river park? You must develop a clear vision of your project and be able to communicate it to the public.
2. How much land does your project require? Be specific, but use caution when presenting your plan to landowners. Maps are helpful, but may threaten landowners who perceive that you are coveting their land before discussing the idea with them. A conceptual map showing the general location of a trail or greenway may be preferable to a detailed map in the early stages of your project.
3. What are the most critical steps you must take to reach your goal? For example, is the land publicly or privately owned, are there environmental hazards or will you need approvals from more than one local government? Who will manage the trail or greenway? How will adjacent landowners maintain privacy?
4. What actions can you take to address potential problems? Be creative. Think about working with partners, sponsoring an outreach effort, hosting workshops and field trips, etc.

Helpful Hints for Working with Opponents
The following suggestions provide guidance on how to work with members of your community to address their concerns.

1. Reach out to members of the community. Do not wait for nearby residents to learn about the proposal by reading about it in the newspaper. Talk to them directly, such as by circulating an open letter or giving a presentation at a community open house. It is important to build trust with those people who should be involved in the process, especially those who will be personally impacted by the development of the project. They may have useful suggestions.
2. Listen to what people say. Take time to understand why members of your community oppose the trail or greenway. Many of their concerns stem from fear of the unknown or misinformation. Listen carefully and with an open mind. When possible, address specific concerns and try to arrive at solutions that benefit as many people as possible. Always be honest and work to earn the trust of future trail neighbors.
3. Find allies among the adjacent residents. Within the group of people who live adjacent to the proposed trail, you may find bicyclists, walkers, runners, horseback riders, families with active children or individuals with disabilities-all of whom are likely trail supporters. Seek out these individuals, explain the trail's benefits and urge them to work for its completion.
4. Involve the public by giving people a role in the project. Establish an advisory committee and ask a variety of people to serve on the committee. This is also an opportunity for you to bridge socio-economic and racial divides. Often, when given a chance to participate in the process, potential opponents are willing to work toward solutions.
5. Invite former trail opponents to speak to your future trail neighbors. Invite an articulate landowner who was once opposed to a trail to come speak in your community. Hearing the story of how an opponent became a trail advocate can help allay the concerns of future trail neighbors. You might also arrange for a group of opponents to go to a nearby trail and meet with supportive adjacent landowners there.
6. Bring in a third party to help build consensus. If you have difficulty forming a trail advisory committee, enlisting a third party may help identify the concerns of trail opponents and trail supporters. Bring in someone who is respected and trusted by both sides. You may want to contact the National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program for help.
7. Always act in a positive, constructive way. Although it may be difficult at times, do not react in anger to claims made by trail opponents. No matter how unpleasant a discussion becomes, always treat everyone with fairness and courtesy. Be firm, factual and reasonable, and don't get defensive.
8. Work with as many landowners and opponents as possible. While you are likely to encounter one or two people adamantly opposed to your trail, do not let them sidetrack you if you feel that their opposition is so ideologically based that a real dialogue is simply not possible. Identify opponents of the project and individuals who are either undecided or are at least willing to listen and enter into a dialogue with you. Initially, many trail neighbors don't have negative opinions toward a trail, but are persuaded to oppose it when other landowners raise concerns. Work hard to address the fears of this group and mobilize them in favor of the trail-they can add to your majority.
9. Reframe the discussion from "railroad corridor" to "trail." When talking specifically about a rail-trail, a completed rail-trail is quite different from an abandoned railroad corridor. People who are unhappy with a littered, overgrown, unmanaged railroad corridor should be made aware that a developed rail-trail is managed and maintained and has permitted uses and trail rules. Use examples to make your point and explain how your trail management plan will clean up the corridor and monitor it.
10. Work hard for favorable reviews in the media. Favorable coverage in the media helps generate support for your efforts. Give your project the best opportunity for positive exposure by supplying TV, radio and newspaper reporters and editors with interesting and accurate factual information.