Trail Maintenance and Operation - Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Preface
This publication is based on earlier work conducted by the Pennsylvania Office of
the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC). “Rail-Trail Maintenance: Preparing for the
Future of Your Trail” was written by AmeriCorps team member Susan Thagard and
released in 1996. Bob McKinley of the Regional Trail Corporation in southwest
Pennsylvania provided valuable guidance throughout its development. Soon after its
release it became clear that many maintenance complexities were not fully explored.
However, those missing elements were at least identified, and many are included in
this second study, while others may require even more coverage in a future publication.
This greatly expanded study was made possible in large part by the nearly 100
trail managers who took their time to respond to our survey. Special mention goes
to several Pennsylvania trail mangers for helping shape the overall work:
Bob McKinley, Regional Trail Corporation
Jim Holden, Allegheny Valley Trails Association
Ron Steffy, Armstrong Trail
Ed Patterson, Indiana County Parks and Recreation
Robert C. Folwell, Chester County Parks and Recreation
Norm Lacasse, Capital Area Greenbelt Association
Gwen Loose, Heritage Rail Trail County Park
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy staff who contributed to this report include:
Annemarie Holmes, Betsy Goodrich, Craig Della Penna and Pat Tomes who
provided invaluable assistance in tracking down trail contacts and getting them to
respond to the survey. Hugh Morris, Jennifer Kaleba and Barbara Richey reviewed,
edited and produced the final publication.
Valuable information contained in this publication was obtained from Pennsylvania
State University—Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies, and our good
friends at the National Park Service—Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
Program. Others sources included the National Arbor Day Foundation, Land Trust
Alliance, GAI Consultants, Inc., and American Trails.
Lastly, funding for the project was made possible through the Growing Greener
grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.
Tom Sexton, Director
RTC Northeast Regional Office
RAILS-TO-TRAILS CONSERVANCY • 1