Designing a system of trails in the Smith-Crisler Nature Preserve

Abstract

The Red-tail Conservancy is a non-profit land trust which acquires properties through donations and grants and then works to protect them from development and disturbance. The Smith-Crisler Nature Preserve is just such a property which the Red-tail Conservancy purchased in the summer of 2009. Their goal for this property is to turn it into a useable nature preserve with trails, signs, benches, a parking lot, etc. It is the goal of this project to supply the Red-tail Conservancy with all the information they need to make an informed decision as to what sort of infrastructure to install at the property. Specifically, I cover in this report types of trail surfaces, types of trail markers, and types of benches. I also discuss some more general concepts, such as where trails should be built, what the main problems trail builders (and maintainers) face are, and the role of trails in a park/preserve. Hopefully through the information in this report, the Red-tail Conservancy will be able to craft the Smith-Crisler Nature Preserve into a real top-notch environmental education facility.