This checklist for starting your trail project will help you gather information to create a vision for your trail or greenway project. The questions help you identify what type of trail you can create and how you can build support for it.

Development of Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects always entails a basic level of environmental review. In some cases, the environmental review and remediation process can be complicated by the presence of toxic substances. The rehabilitation of a historic building could require removal of lead paint or asbestos; creation of a new park on a former industrial […]

This report serves as a national resource guide to assist communities in utilizing new and existing brownfield programs to understand and address environmental clean-up issues that may inhibit the conversion of unused rail rights-of-way (ROW) into multi-use trails. RTC’s objective was to address brownfield concerns by researching appropriate legal, funding and construction issues related to […]

This document is an example of an agreement between a landowner and the County, allowing public access to their property for the construction and use of a non-motorized bicycle and pedestrian trail. Author: Collier County

This agreement between Sandy City and the Utah Transit Authority grants the former a right-of-way license to build a trail alongside a light rail corridor. The agreement includes maintenance, insurance and safety considerations for the Porter Rockwell rail-with-trail. Created by Utah Transit Authority

This model trail easement document is an example of a trail easement made to a nonprofit organization by a private landowner. It lays out public access limitations and the landowners’ intent to preserve and protect the present natural, scenic, open space, education, recreation and transportation values of the Trail Easement Area. Created by Brandywine Conservancy

During the fall of 2000, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy identified open trail tunnels across the United States, and conducted an extensive survey of the managers of these tunnels. This report presents information about the experiences of 78 tunnels on 36 trails in the United States open only to non-motorized traffic. It covers many aspects of these tunnels, […]

Trails provide many benefits to communities. However, initial reactions to trails are sometimes negative. It is the job of trail advocates and builders to promote the benefits of trails and greenways and address concerns. This document provides first-hand experiences from former opponents to trails. These people discuss why they changed their minds and how trail […]

The purpose of this manual is to encourage citizens, civic organizations, governments and private enterprise to collaborate more effectively on greenway and trail development. It is intended to provide information and resources specific to Pennsylvania for greenway and trail planning, acquisition, construction and management. Created by Pennsylvania Environmental Council