Tuesday March 15       4:30-5:45 pm

Stone Structures for Trails

This session will focus on the various stone structures which can be used in trail construction from steps, to drainage, to retaining. This session is rated for the beginner/intermediate level. Several experts will discuss the appropriate use for each structure and the type of materials suited for the installation.

Speaker(s): Peter Jensen

Peter Jensen is the principal of Peter S. Jensen and Associates, LLC based out of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He is a nationally recognized expert in the accessible trails industry. He served on the Regulatory Negotiation Committee of the US Access Board, and has been integral in the development of proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Trails and Outdoor Developed Areas. He is also a skilled instructor in the design, construction, planning and maintenance of natural surface trails that are both sustainable and as inherently accessible as an environment will allow.

Introduction to Sustainable Trails

This course was developed for presentation at the 2007 West Virginia State Trail Conference at the behest of the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of highways, specifically the State Trails Co-ordinator.  This course was presented at numerous venues, to include State Parks, hiking clubs, and to groups receiving RTP funding.  This course is primarily directed toward the novice trail builder, but will also provide information, concepts, and considerations, that may be new to even the most experienced trail builders.  It will identify the main factor causing non-sustainability in trails. The course has five parts to it: the first addresses sustainability issues; the second deals with technical design solutions, design standards, and common sense approaches; the third is called, "Things Take Time"= TTT  or ( T ³ ), and deals with time and time management of volunteer labor and the efficiency of mechanized versus manual labor in maintaining trails; part four deals with bridges as solutions to certain sustainability issues, and part five presents five incredibly difficult real world sustainability challenges and the X-treme solutions that were employed to deal with them. This last part is titled, "Ooooooohhhhhhh and Aaaaaahhhhh!".

Speaker(s): Charles Dundas, Tri-State Company

""Charlie"" began building trail, as a volunteer in 1958, while a Boy Scout. His company, Tri-State Company, has been building trail, professionally, since 1987. Tri-State's market niche is remote site construction, often employing helicopter support. In the course of 24 years, they have built, designed, reconstructed or maintained over 500 miles of trail. They are, perhaps, better known as the ""bridge people"", having built numerous bridges to include: cable suspension, glu-lam, steel, heavy timber, and their specialty, unique curvilinear screw laminated bridges/elevated walkways. Charlie views his company as more than a trail building company, he sees it as engaged in the art of "recreational infrastructure".

Optimizing Trail Grade- a key to creating sought-after trails

Too often, trails are designed in a manner that causes the user to experience unnecessary drudgery with too little delight, thus discouraging repeated use of the trail. Tourists do not travel to Disneyland to ride the parking tram, they go for the Matterhorn. So, if we’re building trails in an effort to increase young users, we must keep in mind that a person considering whether or not to travel and use a trail is forgoing a long list of other interesting options. The purpose of this Presentation is to encourage designers and land managers to consider the benefits of lengthening trails to lower the Average Grade, while at the same time encouraging short sections of Specific Grade (5-10 feet of vertical) to be as steep as the conditions will allow. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll call this Minimize/Maximize Design.

Speaker(s): Randy Martin, Trailscape

Randy Martin brings an unusual blend of a marketing mind, an analysts discipline and a keen sense of trail flow from his bicycling and snow ski racing experience. Randy has a unique way of presenting even seriously flawed data in a compelling manner.

Flow Workshop: Developing Guidelines for Bike-Centric Trails

Mountain bicyclists have distinct needs from other trail users and this body of knowledge continues to grow with the sport; in many cases it is the primary force behind the expansion of trail knowledge. This workshop will focus on reviewing and providing feedback on efforts by IMBA Trail Solutions to work with other PTBA members and land managers to capture and codify bike-centric "flow-based" trail guidelines and ratings. This meeting is open to all and is a continuation of discussions initiated at the 2010 IMBA World Summit in Augusta, GA.

Speaker(s): Chris Bernhardt, IMBA Trail Solutions

Chris Bernhardt is the Director of Consulting Services for the International Mountain Bicycling Association. He has managed trail projects in 35 U.S. states and Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Italy, and Tasmania. Chris presents and has been published on the topic of sustainable, risk-managed technical mountain bicycle trails, and has worked with the Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, and over one hundred state and local jurisdictions. He holds a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University (USA).

Wednesday March 16       9:00-10:15 am

Comparing and Contrasting Different Trail Assessment Processes

Trail assessment and evaluation processes are being discovered by many land managers as an essential tool for making good trail management decisions including: what users on what trails, current trail conditions, prescriptions for deferred maintenance and more. This session will explore 3 different trail assessment processes: TRACS Trail Survey (USFS system), Universal Trail Assessment Process (Beneficial Designs), and Solutions Based Assessment (and development of a trail management plan). We will compare and contrast the pros and cons of the different processes and attendees will learn what process might be best for their local trail systems and specific needs.

Speaker(s):  Jeremy Wimpey, Applied Trails Research, Woody Keen, Trail Dynamics, Tip Ray, Beneficial Designs

Jeremy Wimpey, PhD. (Applied Trails Research, LLC’s Principal) is an outdoor enthusiast with over 12 years GIS and GPS experience. Jeremy’s unique background—a trail user, an academic, and a professional—help bring a holistic approach to solving recreation management challenges. A hiker, trail runner and mountain biker, Jeremy has spent thousands of hours on trails around the world and understands trail-user needs from the perspective of a trail user. His academic background, including a Doctorate in Geospatial Environmental Analysis from Virginia Tech, brings a background in science and research to each challenge and a facts-first approach to problem solving.

Woody Keen is President of Trail Dynamics LLC and current President of the Professional TrailBuilders Association. He had preformed “solutions based” assessments and developed trail management plans for many land managing agencies and different types of trails. His work has included assessments and management plans for: USFS (3 trail plans), BLM (2 trail plans), Hungry Mother State Park (VA), Natural Tunnel State Park (VA), Furman University (SC), Western Carolina University), and many others.

Success on the Bridger Teton National Forest

During the last decade, over thirty five miles of new trail have been built on the Bridger Teton National Forest near the town of Jackson, Wyoming with many more miles of trail reconstructed. The goal has been to create a sustainable trail network that connects communities with public lands and offers quality experiences for diverse non-motorized trail users. This includes downhill mountain biking trails, cross country mountain biking trails and horse/hike trails. Every method of construction has been used from large volunteer groups (for example, 750 boy scouts through the ArrowCorps5 event), Americorp conservation crews, prison crews, local professional hand build crews, and most recently work with machinery. This presentation will show how this work was accomplished and the relative costs and benefits of the numerous methods used. A review of trail records will show how our methods have evolved to minimize the cost per foot of trail construction and improve fall zones, sight distance and overall quality of the trails.

Speaker(s): Chris Peck, USFS

Background for Chris Peck-United States Forest Service and Friends of Pathways employee. Lead planner and organizer for the past decade on the building, maintenance and patrol of the 100 miles of front country trail system on the Bridger Teton National Forest.

Management of a High Use Complex Trail System

DuPont State Forest is over 10,000 acres and host 80+ miles of trails and gated roads for use by hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. As is typical in many areas, many of the trails in DuPont started life as timber extraction corridors and thus lacked sustainable design theory. That coupled with extremely high user counts led to many early problems in the state managed forest just 10 years old. The Forest Supervisor will lead us through the history of the forest and trails, and share the lengthy process of starting with a less than perfect trail system and moving toward a sustainable trail system using a combination of forest staff, volunteers and professional trail contractors.

Speaker(s):

David Brown Forest Supervisor DuPont State Forest

Sustainable and Fun OHV Trail Systems

Faced with the challenges of declining budgets and increasing public demand for OHV recreation opportunities on public and private land, what strategies and management practices can land owners, land managers and recreation stakeholders utilize to provide sustainable trail systems that provide a fun and challenging experience for the motorized trail enthusiast?

Speaker(s):  Jack Terrell, NOHVCC

Jack Terrell is Senior Project Coordinator for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, a non-profit educational foundation dedicated to furtheringa positive future for responsible OHV recreation. He is a past Chairman of the Florida OHV Recreation Advisory Committee, a member of the Florida RTP Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Polk County (Florida) OHV Advisory Committee, and is Vice President and Land Use Chairman of the Florida Trail Riders. An off-highway motorcycle competitor and trail rider, he has been involved with land use and recreational trail issues in Florida since 1980. His background includes work with federal, state, county and local legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, land managers and recreation planners to develop and improve trail recreation opportunities for the public. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in management science from the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.

Wednesday March 16       10:45 am -12:00 pm

Coping With Illegal Trails

Any land manager knows, illegal or user-created trails are an ever-present problem and a significant land management challenge on most lands.  We will reveiw the elements that lead to user-created trails, and discuss what our land management options are for avoiding this.  We will also discuss our management options once we discover the illegal trails exist.

Speaker(s):  Jill Van Winkle (IMBA Trail Solutions), Jeremy Wimpey, Dr. Jeff Marion

Jill Van Winkle is Trail Solutions’ most experienced natural resource specialist. In the past six years she has worked in the United States, Canada, Italy, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Jill consults on the plant, water, and wildlife impacts of non-motorized recreation, and presents regularly to national audiences on the topic. Her trail assessment and design work includes extensive use of GIS/GPS technologies to increase the accuracy and efficiency of fieldwork. She received a Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) in Biology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College (USA).

Jeremy Wimpey, PhD. (Applied Trails Research, LLC’s Principal) is an outdoor enthusiast with over 12 years GIS and GPS experience. Jeremy’s unique background—a trail user, an academic, and a professional—help bring a holistic approach to solving recreation management challenges. A hiker, trail runner and mountain biker, Jeremy has spent thousands of hours on trails around the world and understands trail-user needs from the perspective of a trail user. His academic background, including a Doctorate in Geospatial Environmental Analysis from Virginia Tech, brings a background in science and research to each challenge and a facts-first approach to problem solving.

Jeff Marion is a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, stationed at Virginia Tech, where he is an Adjunct Professor with the Natural Resource Recreation program. Jeff specializes in recreation ecology – the study of visitor impacts to protected natural areas. His trails-related research has examined relationships between type and amount of trail impact and use-related, trail design, construction, and maintenance factors. He regularly consults with protected area managers on strategies and actions for avoiding or minimizing trail and visitor impacts and on methods for monitoring impacts. He is a founding member of the Leave No Trace Board of Directors and remains very active in assisting with the guidance of this national program. He is currently a Board member of the American Hiking Society and serves on the Appalachian Trail Stewardship Council as Chair of the Trail and Camping Committee. He has 20 years of trail maintainer experience.

Trails: Working with Agricultural Landowners
Trails and agricultural lands - increased interest in agricultural tourism
Concerns of agricultural land owners
Examples: California and New York
Policy solutions
Guidelines

Speaker(s): Robin Wilcox RLA

Robin Wilcox is a registered Landscape Architect and Project Manager in the Portland, Oregon office of Alta Planning + Design. She has worked on trails, greenway, parks, and urban street improvement projects throughout the United States. Robin has worked on projects from Seward, Alaska to Boston, Massachusetts to Dallas, Texas. Her skills include project development, stakeholder involvement, incorporating green infrastructure, and digital graphics. Robin is also Chairperson for the Columbia Cascades Trail Skills College.

Economic and Community Benefits of Trail Events

Planning events can increase public awareness of health or current issues while showcasing your local trail. Events can also promote positive interactions between visitors and locals while building a sense of community.
* Case Study: "Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race"

Speaker(s):  Todd Branham, Long Cane Trails

The Right Trailbuilding Tool for the Right Job

The most appropriate and efficient trailbuilding tool will depend on a variety of environmental factors, including soil composition, presence of rock or organic material, and vegetation. This panel of experienced builders will discuss a range of hand and mechanized equipment options for different regional conditions and trail products.

Speaker(s):  Dan Hudson, IMBA Trail Solutions;  Troy Duffin, Alpine Trails;  Brad Stone, 402 Trails

Troy Duffin has been building exceptional trails for 17 years. With almost 400 miles completed, he is credited with some of the most enjoyable, iconic trails in the nation, including two which have been used for IMBA "Epic" rides. In addition to construction, he has worked extensively on planning, design, and maintenance projects. He has vast experience not only in the private sector, but also in the non-profit sector, and as an agency trails manager. He has spoken at dozens of regional and national conferences on a wide range of topics, and has received numerous industry awards.

Wednesday March 16       2:15-3:30 pm

Bridge Building 101

Introduction to the basic types of trail and pedestrian bridges by Tri-State Company, Inc. Includes discussion of the basic considerations of bridge design. Descussion of site selection, the "physics of bridge functioning", dead load, live load, and moment of load. The presentation includes photos, drawings, and animations. This presentation was one of the highlights of the 2010 West Virginia State Trails Conference.

Speaker(s): Charles Dundas, Tri-State Company

""Charlie"" began building trail, as a volunteer in 1958, while a Boy Scout. His company, Tri-State Company, has been building trail, professionally, since 1987. Tri-State's market niche is remote site construction, often employing helicopter support. In the course of 24 years, they have built, designed, reconstructed or maintained over 500 miles of trail. They are, perhaps, better known as the ""bridge people"", having built numerous bridges to include: cable suspension, glu-lam, steel, heavy timber, and their specialty, unique curvilinear screw laminated bridges/elevated walkways. Charlie views his company as more than a trail building company, he sees it as engaged in the art of "recreational infrastructure".

Planning and Designing Trails for Economic and Financial Returns

Scores of academic, trade, and other studies have documented that trails are one of, if not the, most preferred amenity for homeowners, homebuyers, and members of a community. This presentation will provide a review of the most important and currnet research, including the economic impacts on local and regional economies, property values, outdoor/trail-based activity centers (for and not-for-profit), and the indirect impacts not directly associated with the trail system itself. The presentation will also highlight the types of trails (including the overall planning, design, and construction) that maximize these economic benefits for communities and direct financial returns for landowners, from small private property owners to large-scale resorts and planned real estate developments. "John Morton is Founder and Principal of Morton Trails, a trail planning and design firm that has been involved in over 130 trail projects across the US and internationally. John has been designing biking, running, Nordic skiing, hiking, equestrian, and shared use trails for 20 years. John has participated in seven Winter Olympic Games as an athlete (1972 and 1976), a coach, U.S. Biathlon Team Leader, and most recently at the Salt Lake City Olympics (2002), as Chief of Course for the Biathlon events.

Speaker(s):  John Morton, Founder and Principal, Morton Trails, and David Lindahl, Ph.D., Principal, Morton Trails

John Morton is Founder and Principal of Morton Trails, a trail planning and design firm that has been involved in over 130 trail projects across the US and internationally. John has been designing biking, running, Nordic skiing, hiking, equestrian, and shared use trails for 20 years. John has participated in seven Winter Olympic Games as an athlete (1972 and 1976), a coach, U.S. Biathlon Team Leader, and most recently at the Salt Lake City Olympics (2002), as Chief of Course for the Biathlon events.

David Lindahl, Ph.D., is a Principal of Morton Trail and, in addition to designing all types of non-motorized trails, specializes in the financial returns and economic development impacts of trail systems – from small communities, to world-class resorts, to major international competition venues. Prior to joining Morton Trails in 2006, Lindahl was on the faculty of Penn State and the University of Washington in economic geography and real estate.

Professionalism in the Industry

The private trail contracting industry is expanding, and not everyone is playing fair. This session is based on general concepts of licensing, insurance, and other legal requirements which should or must be followed by legitimate contractors. We'll build on this foundation and explore deeper issues of proper and fair competition, when and how some contractors "go too far," and what recourse might be available if you're the victim of unfair competition.

Speaker(s): Troy Duffin, Alpine Trails

Troy Duffin has been building exceptional trails for 17 years. With almost 400 miles completed, he is credited with some of the most enjoyable, iconic trails in the nation, including two which have been used for IMBA "Epic" rides. In addition to construction, he has worked extensively on planning, design, and maintenance projects. He has vast experience not only in the private sector, but also in the non-profit sector, and as an agency trails manager. He has spoken at dozens of regional and national conferences on a wide range of topics, and has received numerous industry awards.

Knott County ATV & Motorcycle Rider Training Center - A model for success

All of eastern Kentucky has begun to realize the potential of adventure tourism through off-road recreation and Knott County has taken the lead here by providing a facility for safety training that serves as a trailhead to over 60,000 acres of potential trails use. We presently have over 200 miles of managed trails for motorized & non-motorized usage with more being developed constantly. Knott County is working with other counties to develop a complete system designed to complement the overwhelming success demonstrated at the Hatfield-McCoy Trials system in nearby West Virginia. We have attained corporate sponsors and hold many events that draw as many as 15,000 people per event!

Speaker(s): Tim Cody, Knott County

Originally from Knott County, KY.  Received Bachelor's Degree & Master's Degree from Morehead St. Univ.   Taught in KY public schools for 10 years.  Taught at the college level for the last 20 years, presently teaches for Eastern KY Univ.  Has been appointed as a board member of the KY Motorcycle Safety & Education Commission by KY's last 3 Governors.   Is a board member of the Ky Motorcycle Commission for Highway Safety;  Is a board member for the KY Recreational Trails Authority.  Is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach Trainer who helps oversee quality assurance of the KY Motorcycle Program.  Also certified as a Dirtbike School RiderCoach for MSF.  Certified as an ATV Instructor through the ATV Safety Institute.  Has been Director of the Knott County aTV & Motorcycle Rider Training Center since its inception in 2006.  As Director has hosted events for national magazines, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, the KY. Governor's Office, the KY Motorcycle Program, and the ATV Safety institute.  Working with others to develop 200 + miles for a national caliber adventure trails system in Knott County, KY.

Wednesday March 16       4:30-5:45 pm

Design, Development and Management of Sustainable High Use Equestrian Trails
Horses are certainly a very historic trail user in the US. A combination of factors including heaviest non-motorized user, PSI of area of contact, physics of propulsion combine to significantly increase potential impacts on trail tread surfaces. High levels of horse use on trails can cause significant damage (especially when trail conditions are wet) if the trail was not designed and built to withstand such potential impacts. This session will explore improving equestrian experiences by providing better trails suited for horses through good planning, design and long term maintenance.

Speaker(s):  Woody Keen, Trail Dynamics

Woody Keen is President of Trail Dynamics LLC and current President of the Professional TrailBuilders Association. Trail Dynamics has performed many construction and maintenance contracts on equestrian specific and multi use trails including horse use including: The Biltmore Estate, DuPont State Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park in VA. Woody has done assessment work and written large trail management plans for equestrian and multi use trail systems and is known as a leading trail educator.

GPS and GIS Applications for Trail Assessment and Planning

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are tools and technologies that enable efficient capture, analysis and display of geographic data. These tools are constantly evolving as new technology and data sets become available. This presentation focuses on using these systems in trail assessment and planning operations. A brief introduction to the current range of tools, software, and techniques for using them is followed by the presentation of several case studies which highlight the use of GPS and GIS tools on trail assessment and planning projects. The presentation concludes with discussion of the appropriateness of the techniques, efficiencies and problems associated with each and a question and answer session.

Speaker(s): Jeremy Wimpey, Applied Trails Research

Jeremy Wimpey, PhD. (Applied Trails Research, LLC’s Principal) is an outdoor enthusiast with over 12 years GIS and GPS experience. Jeremy’s unique background—a trail user, an academic, and a professional—help bring a holistic approach to solving recreation management challenges. A hiker, trail runner and mountain biker, Jeremy has spent thousands of hours on trails around the world and understands trail-user needs from the perspective of a trail user. His academic background, including a Doctorate in Geospatial Environmental Analysis from Virginia Tech, brings a background in science and research to each challenge and a facts-first approach to problem solving.

More Trails = A Healthier, Happier US

This session will focus on the mental and physical health benefits of trails, not only to the individual but to the community and society as a whole. A summary of the research literature on mental health benefits of exercise and exposure to nature will be provided, along with anecdotes from the presenter's personal life and clinical case history experiences.

Speaker(s): Susan M. Stormer, Ph.D. Owner S&S Trail Services, LLC; PTBA Board Member

Dr. Susan Stormer completed her training in clinical psychology at the University of South Florida in 1998 with a focus on behavioral medicine, which evaluates the interaction of psychological principles with physical health behaviors. A life-long equestrian and hiker, Susan began mountain biking in 1995 and started working on trails as a volunteer very soon after that. She became a professional consultant and trail educator in 2003, and is now self-employed as a trail contractor based out of Austin, Texas.

Using Social Media to Manage Projects, Engage Users and Retain Volunteers

Hilrideʼs Principal Designer, Nat Lopes, and Project Manager, Rachael Lopes will discuss the opportunities and benefits of using social media to manage projects, engage users and retain volunteers. Drawing on specific case studies, this presentation will outline various social media techniques that can engage communities to experience and understand their parks better and more safely, provide feedback during park and trail design and planning phases, attend public meetings and volunteer. Social media can also be used to disseminate important park, trail and project information or help to fundraise and collect donations. Attendees will learn concepts that they can apply to park planning and management in their community.

Speaker(s):  Nat Lopes and Rachael Lopes, CRPR, Hilride Progression Development Group

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Thursday March 17       9:00-10:15 am

Bridges 103

Case studies of the construction of four differing trail bridge designs, detailing the the thought behind the selection of the type of bridge, the process, material, and critical path of construction. Also included are display of the elements of construction control used by Tri-State Company, Inc. [Nikon Total Station EDM, Trimble Recon Construction Computer, and Nikon Auto level as well as older style of transit levels and measuring tools]. This presentation will focus on the following types of bridges: Cable suspension, glu-lam beam, prefabricated steel, and curvilinear screw-lam bridges.

Speaker(s):  Charles Dundas, Tri-State Company

""Charlie"" began building trail, as a volunteer in 1958, while a Boy Scout. His company, Tri-State Company, has been building trail, professionally, since 1987. Tri-State's market niche is remote site construction, often employing helicopter support. In the course of 24 years, they have built, designed, reconstructed or maintained over 500 miles of trail. They are, perhaps, better known as the ""bridge people"", having built numerous bridges to include: cable suspension, glu-lam, steel, heavy timber, and their specialty, unique curvilinear screw laminated bridges/elevated walkways. Charlie views his company as more than a trail building company, he sees it as engaged in the art of "recreational infrastructure".

International Trailbuilding Projects

Trailbuilding opportunities continue to grow outside North America, and while the finished product may look the same there are unique factors to building in other countries. Language barriers, unfamiliar government structures, different machinery types, and a whole new batch of poisonous critters are but a few of the inherent challenges. This presentation will focus on photogenic locations and "lessons learned" in Europe and Asia. "Chris Bernhardt is the Director of Consulting Services for the International Mountain Bicycling Association. He has managed trail projects in 35 U.S. states and Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Italy, and Tasmania. Chris presents and has been published on the topic of sustainable, risk-managed technical mountain bicycle trails, and has worked with the Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, and over one hundred state and local jurisdictions. He holds a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University (USA).

Speaker(s):  Joey Klein, IMBA Trail Solutions & Chris Bernhardt, IMBA Trail Solutions

Joey Klein is IMBA Trail Solutions’ most senior Trail Specialist, with more than a decade of experience designing and building trails in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. With experience ranging from urban pocket bike parks to backcountry trails, Joey is renown for his trail master planning capabilities and particularly his ability to bring out the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Prior to his employment with IMBA he worked in the ski industry and has used that expertise to bring mountain biking to a number of U.S. ski resorts. Joey is a former winner of the fabled Montezuma's Revenge mountain bike race and has notched several first ski descents in Colorado's mountain ranges.

Chris Bernhardt is the Director of Consulting Services for the International Mountain Bicycling Association. He has managed trail projects in 35 U.S. states and Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Italy, and Tasmania. Chris presents and has been published on the topic of sustainable, risk-managed technical mountain bicycle trails, and has worked with the Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, and over one hundred state and local jurisdictions. He holds a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Portland State University (USA).

Narrow Natural Surface Trails Managing Multiple Use

Attendees at this session will have the opportunity to achieve the following educational objectives:

1)  Learn about successful agency/district policy frameworks that provide for successful narrow natural surface implementation and management

2)  Learn about design parameters and construction techniques for new narrow natural surface trails and trail system rehabilitation projects that provide for multiple use, address environmental regulatory considerations, and long‐term maintenance considerations

3)  Gain familiarity with successful narrow natural surface trail regulatory strategies implemented by major park and open space agencies and regulatory strategies that are frequently discussed but have not been successful in high use areas

Speaker(s):  Robin Wilcox, RLA

Robin Wilcox is a registered Landscape Architect and Project Manager in the Portland, Oregon office of Alta Planning + Design. She has worked on trails, greenway, parks, and urban street improvement projects throughout the United States. Robin has worked on projects from Seward, Alaska to Boston, Massachusetts to Dallas, Texas. Her skills include project development, stakeholder involvement, incorporating green infrastructure, and digital graphics. Robin is also Chairperson for the Columbia Cascades Trail Skills College.

THE STORY OF CUYUNA – A CASE STUDY OF DEVELOPING A MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL SYSTEM

This session will focus on developing a federally-funded purpose-built mountain bike trail at the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, which is part of the Minnesota State Park system. The session will serve as a case study covering trail development issues from funding and design through development and long-term maintenance. Points of discussion will include:
· The challenge of meeting the requirements of a federally-funded project
· Managing the involvement of a variety of project partners
· Preparing a bid package for a publically-bid project
· Working with a general contractor with no previous trail building experience
· Managing the project budget to maximum benefit
· Managing field design changes
· Establishing a long-term operations, maintenance and risk management program"

Speaker(s):  Jeff Schoenbauer, Tim Wegner, Deno Contos

Jeff Schoenbauer is CEO of Schoenbauer Consulting, LLC, a firm he cofounded in 2008 to focus on specific types of public parks, trails, open space, recreation-related facilities and community planning projects. Jeff received national recognition as the principal author of MN DNR’s Trail Planning, Design, and Development Guidelines, and he routinely
presents on the subject across the country. For the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mountain Bike Trail, Jeff served as Owner’s Representative for the MN DNR, with primary responsibilities for the project’s success – including overall project management, trail design, and construction field oversight/administration.

Tim Wegner is CEO of TrailSource, LLC, a company specializing in the development of natural-surfaced trails in the Upper Midwest. Tim’s company evolved from his passion for mountain biking and his recognition that volunteer efforts needed to be augmented with
the expertise and equipment of professional trail builders in order to build high quality, sustainable trails. For the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mountain Bike Trail, Tim was instrumental in securing the grant for the project. As part of the DNR’s implementation
team, Tim spent countless hours in the field working with Jeff as expert trail designer and builder.

Deno Contos is owner and president of Benchmark Trails Inc. based in Greenville, SC. The company’s services range from professional trail design through construction of naturalistic, purpose-built natural-surface trails. Prior to establishing his own company,
Deno held positions as Regional Trails Coordinator for the Appalachian Mountain Club, Associate Regional Representative for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and as a Trails Specialist for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. For the
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mountain Bike Trail, Deno worked with Jeff and Tim on field design, helped train the general contractor in trail building, assisted in maintaining quality control, and, most importantly, “cut in some sweet singletrack.”

Thursday March 17       10:45 am -12:00 pm

Helicopter Operations in Trail Construction and Remote Site Support

Case studies of four differing helicopter operations by Tri-State Company, Inc. Includes dicussions of the rationale for selection of helicopter support, cost, capibilities, support requirements, considerations for material handling , safety, and operational efficiency. This presentation will includes photos and movies of four sperate operations. [Little Stoney Creek Bridge, Cascades NRT bridges, Apple Orchard Falls, and High Knob Bridge]

Speaker(s):  Charles Dundas, Tri-State Company

"Charlie" began building trail, as a volunteer in 1958, while a Boy Scout. His company, Tri-State Company, has been building trail, professionally, since 1987. Tri-State's market niche is remote site construction, often employing helicopter support. In the course of 24 years, they have built, designed, reconstructed or maintained over 500 miles of trail. They are, perhaps, better known as the ""bridge people"", having built numerous bridges to include: cable suspension, glu-lam, steel, heavy timber, and their specialty, unique curvilinear screw laminated bridges/elevated walkways. Charlie views his company as more than a trail building company, he sees it as engaged in the art of "recreational infrastructure".

Developing Bike Parks from Concept to Completion

Hilride Progression Development Groupʼs Principal Bike Park Designer, Nat Lopes will discuss the development process of a full spectrum BMX/Mountain Bike Park. From site selection to master planning, environmental permitting to construction and on-going operations this presentation will demystify the entire process. Hilride will reference bike park case studies in California and their national bike park development experience to inform attendees how a sanctioned, progression based and well planned bike park facility can reduce liability and risk, reduce impacts to the environment, engage the local community and meet the growing demand for these riding opportunities.

Speaker(s):  Nat Lopes, Hilride Progression Development Group

Job Hazard Analysis and Crew Safety

The most important item for any trail project’s planning and execution is your trail crew’s preparation,
safety and well-being. At Penn Trails, we take the approach that it is important to have guidelines, as well
as, develop situational awareness. The presentation on Trail Project Hazard Analysis & Trail Crew Safety
will discuss what a job hazard analysis is, offer guidelines to help you conduct a step-by-step analysis
and include the following items;
- Factors Affecting Risk
- Job Hazard Analysis process, including overviews of USFS and OSHA
- Crew Member Safety & Situational Awareness
- Emergency Response Planning
- First Aid Training & Job Safety Training

Speaker(s): Larry Knutson, Penn Trails

Penn Trails LLC owner, Larry Knutson, provides the annual Trail Crew Leader Education & Training programs for the Pennsylvania Conservation Corps. As a National Account level American Red Cross Instructor & Trainer, Knutson also provides Wilderness & Remote First Aid Training programs for rangers and staff of the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks and Bureau of State Forests, as well as, USFS Aerial Survey & Aviation Safety, and various Appalachian Trail organizations.

Low Impact Trail Design and Construction

This workshop will explore the concept of constructing trails with a low impact approach. This approach to trail construction involves sustainable layout, an innovative construction strategy, and a wise choice of construction tools. The end result of low impact trail construction is a trail that allows users to interact with the environment with minimal impact. During this workshop, participants will be introduced to trail projects that personify the low impact model.

Speaker(s): Josh Ryan, Timber & Stone LLC 

Josh Ryan is the owner and manager of Timber & Stone, LLC, a trail design and construction business based in Woodbury, VT. Timber & Stone, LLC offers trail design, construction expertise, and education workshops to land managers who seek a sustainable approach to trail construction.

Thursday March 17       1:00-2:15 pm

Risk Management for Trails and Bike Parks

Unfortunately, trail related lawsuits are on the rise. This session is an introduction to risk management to trails and will help attendees gain a better understanding of liability. Basic risk management strategy will be shared, and we will also use the audience as “jurors” in looking at photos of trail issues. Real case histories will help to shed some light on what types of lawsuits are happening and what the outcome of these cases.

Speaker(s):  Woody Keen, Trail Dynamics

Woody Keen is President of Trail Dynamics LLC and has served as President of Professional TrailBuilders Association since 2006. Woody is well known for his risk management expertise and he has served as an expert consultant in a large number of trail related lawsuits.

Large Scale Trail System Makeovers

This session will explore two significant trail system makeovers including planning, re-design, construction of new alignments, and closure of badly aligned existing trail.  Both projects are existing trail systems where changing use patterns and getting buy in from the trails community can be a challenge. Come learn from a variety of folks involved in these “extreme makeovers” how to succeed in a large scale trail system re-design including public input, assessment of existing conditions, planning and design, implementation and communication. Also learn tricks for stretching agency budgets on such a large scale trail project. Presenter include Valerie Naylor, Trails Specialist, Chuck Goodheart, City of Tallahassee Parks and Leisure Services, and Joey Klein, IMBA Trail Solutions

Speaker(s):  Chuck Goodheart, City of Tallahassee Park; Joey Klein, IMBA TS; Valerie Naylor- Trails Specialist

Valerie Naylor's degree is in photographic technology, but her passion since the turn of the century has been trails. She caught the volunteer trail work bug in Florida and eventually managed to combine work and passion as trails coordinator for the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails. Her duties there included improving communication among and between trail users and OGT staff, coordination of volunteers, and coordination of the Vortex freeride project for OGT.  In summer of 2007 Valerie moved to western North Carolina and joined Trail Dynamics LLC, a company dedicated to designing, building, and educating about sustainable recreational trails. She worked in many capacities at TD ranging from serving as crew leader on projects, operating small heavy equipment, trail design and planning, and trail education work.  Beginning in 2011 Val is expanding her client list to subcontract with additional professional trail contractors in a variety of roles.

Joey Klein is IMBA Trail Solutions’ most senior Trail Specialist, with more than a decade of experience designing and building trails in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. With experience ranging from urban pocket bike parks to backcountry trails, Joey is renown for his trail master planning capabilities and particularly his ability to bring out the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. Prior to his employment with IMBA he worked in the ski industry and has used that expertise to bring mountain biking to a number of U.S. ski resorts. Joey is a former winner of the fabled Montezuma's Revenge mountain bike race and has notched several first ski descents in Colorado's mountain ranges.

Chuck Goodheart graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with degrees in Forestry and Botany, after which he worked for a short time with the U.S. Forest Service. In 1984 he began working with the City of Tallahassee as the city’s first Urban Forester. He moved to the Parks Department in 1994 to manage Phipps Park, a 680 acre passive park with bike, hiking and shared use trails. His trail experience began as Phipps Park manager and he attended several IMBA NOC workshops where he first learned about the concept of sustainable, purpose built trail design. Since then he has been manager of all Regional parks in the city system and responsible for all trails including equestrian, shared-use, hiking, and mountain biking. In 2008, after acquiring funding for trail rehabilitation, he developed an RFP process to select professional trail builders to begin developing a world class trail system for the City of Tallahassee.

Multi-jurisdictional/Regional Trail Planning

This session will provide case studies and strategies for planning trail systems across jurisdictional lines. From county-wide plans to trails that link municipalities, counties: regions across the southeast and the nation are discovering that you create greater regional cooperation and get more trail and more trail benefits for your buck when you plan for systems that connect multiple jurisdictions.

Speaker(s):  Robin Wilcox, RLA, and Maya Agarwal, RLA

Robin Wilcox is a registered Landscape Architect and Project Manager in the Portland, Oregon office of Alta Planning + Design. She has worked on trails, greenway, parks, and urban street improvement projects throughout the United States. Robin has worked on projects from Seward, Alaska to Boston, Massachusetts to Dallas, Texas. Her skills include project development, stakeholder involvement, incorporating green infrastructure, and digital graphics. Robin is also Chairperson for the Columbia Cascades Trail Skills College.

Maya Agarwal is a Registered Landscape Architect and a Designer for Alta Planning + Design. Maya has experience in both public and private sector bicycle/pedestrian facility projects. She has worked with stakeholder groups, educated the public about greenways and their benefits, and secured funding for greenway construction projects. She has participated in projects ranging from planning regional greenway systems and rail-with-trail projects, to designing and building greenways, to working with the public to incorporate art into existing greenways.

Hybrid Trail Contracting - More Trail For Your Money

This session will focus on trail project development and management that includes professional trail contractors and other non-professional trail related groups such as bike clubs, service groups, and Scouting organizations. Topics to be covered will include risk management and liability issues, on-site training in sustainable trail construction techniques, and supervising groups with different levels of trail experience.

Speaker(s):  Josh Ryan, Timber and Stone, Susan and Ryan of S&S Trails

Josh Ryan is the owner and manager of Timber & Stone, LLC, a trail design and construction business based in Woodbury, VT. Timber & Stone, LLC offers trail design, construction expertise, and education workshops to land managers who seek a sustainable approach to trail construction.

Dr. Susan Stormer completed her training in clinical psychology at the University of South Florida in 1998 with a focus on behavioral medicine, which evaluates the interaction of psychological principles with physical health behaviors. A life-long equestrian and hiker, Susan began mountain biking in 1995 and started working on trails as a volunteer very soon after that. She became a professional consultant and trail educator in 2003, and is now self-employed as a trail contractor based out of Austin, Texas.

Mr. Ryan Spates has been a mountain biker and hiker for over 19 years, experiencing trails all over the US and the world. Originally from the technology industry, Ryan decided to pursue his hobby as a career many years ago. He was initially trained by some of the early Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews and spent many years as a volunteer trail steward in the Houston area. Some of his early design work can be seen on the hiking and mountain bike trails in Huntsville State Park. He has worked as a professional trail builder since 2003 working with the non-profit Texas Bicycle Coalition and as a co-owner of Talon Trail Systems, L.L.C. from 2006-2008. He now co-owns S&S Trail Services with Susan Stormer.

Thursday March 17       2:30-3:45 pm

Trail Science and Research

It would include the latest trail research from 2009, 2010 some of which focuses on informal trails (hiking and biking), TTFs, and social carrying capacity and safety issues associated with crowding in natural parks. Jill Van Winkle is Trail Solutions’ most experienced natural resource specialist. In the past six years she has worked in the United States, Canada, Italy, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Jill consults on the plant, water, and wildlife impacts of non-motorized recreation, and presents regularly to national audiences on the topic. Her trail assessment and design work includes extensive use of GIS/GPS technologies to increase the accuracy and efficiency of fieldwork. She received a Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) in Biology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College (USA).

Speaker(s):  Jeff Marion, USGS, and Jill Van Winkle, IMBA Trail Solutions

Jeff Marion is a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, stationed at Virginia Tech, where he is an Adjunct Professor with the Natural Resource Recreation program. Jeff specializes in recreation ecology – the study of visitor impacts to protected natural areas. His trails-related research has examined relationships between type and amount of trail impact and use-related, trail design, construction, and maintenance factors. He regularly consults with protected area managers on strategies and actions for avoiding or minimizing trail and visitor impacts and on methods for monitoring impacts. He is a founding member of the Leave No Trace Board of Directors and remains very active in assisting with the guidance of this national program. He is currently a Board member of the American Hiking Society and serves on the Appalachian Trail Stewardship Council as Chair of the Trail and Camping Committee. He has 20 years of trail maintainer experience.

Jill Van Winkle is Trail Solutions’ most experienced natural resource specialist. In the past six years she has worked in the United States, Canada, Italy, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Jill consults on the plant, water, and wildlife impacts of non-motorized recreation, and presents regularly to national audiences on the topic. Her trail assessment and design work includes extensive use of GIS/GPS technologies to increase the accuracy and efficiency of fieldwork. She received a Bachelor of Arts (with Distinction) in Biology and Environmental Studies from Whitman College (USA).

Planning and Managing for Cultural Resources

Hilride Progression Development Groupʼs Managing Partner, Rachael Lopes will discuss guiding principles of Cultural Resource Management that affect trail planning and development. Rachael will discuss case studies where known cultural sites and landscapes in a trail system were managed to protect the resource as well as the recreational opportunity.

Speaker(s):  Rachael Lopes, Hilride and Scott Ashcroft, USFS

Rachael Lopes is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, a member of the PTBA, and is Hilrideʼs Managing Partner serving as Project Manager for bike park and trail master planning projects. In addition to seven years of international bike park design and trail planning experience, she is a trained archaeologist and has five years of professional Cultural Resource Management experience. Rachael utilizes her trail planning expertise and understanding of CEQA and NEPA to reduce potential impacts to cultural resources and assist clients through the environmental compliance process.

Understanding Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans

This session gives an overview of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, required on any project in the United States that disturbs more than one acre of soil, or more than 2 miles for a 4 foot wide trail. This session will cover the purpose and basic elements of the SWPPP, plus potential regulatory, legal, contracting and trail-costing issues that may arise both for contractors and clients. Jon Underwood has been building trails in Alaska for five years, and has been a PTBA member for two years. He is having so much fun building trail that he is still astonished when it is occasionally profitable.

Speaker(s):  Jon Underwood, Happy Trails Incorporated, Certified Erosion & Sediment Control Lead
Jon Underwood has been building trails in Alaska for five years, and has been a PTBA member for two years. He is having so much fun building trail that he is still astonished when it is occasionally profitable.

Contracting with Private Land Owners and Homeowner’s Associations

This session will focus on trail development and construction with land managers that are not in the public sector. It will also include some tips on how to create concise, enforceable contracts, to assure all parties have a clear understanding of payment expectations and timing. In addition, we'll cover contract terms which will help the contractor collect from the client if full, prompt payment is not made. We will also discuss specific legal options to go after a deadbeat client. Topics will include clarifying expectations, formation of contracts, land owner involvement in the project, and plans for future trail development and maintenance. The session will empower project managers with another option for constructing multi-use trails. Hybrid contracting combines a professional trailbuilder with volunteers, students, or a youth group to increase the project quality, output, and training. We will explore the affects of hybrid contracting, the value of combining professional trail builders with youth groups, and specific examples of hybrid contracting successes.

Speaker(s):  Susan and Ryan of S&S Trails, Troy Duffin of Alpine Trails

Dr. Susan Stormer completed her training in clinical psychology at the University of South Florida in 1998 with a focus on behavioral medicine, which evaluates the interaction of psychological principles with physical health behaviors. A life-long equestrian and hiker, Susan began mountain biking in 1995 and started working on trails as a volunteer very soon after that. She became a professional consultant and trail educator in 2003, and is now self-employed as a trail contractor based out of Austin, Texas.

Troy Duffin has been building exceptional trails for 17 years. With almost 400 miles completed, he is credited with some of the most enjoyable, iconic trails in the nation, including two which have been used for IMBA "Epic" rides. In addition to construction, he has worked extensively on planning, design, and maintenance projects. He has vast experience not only in the private sector, but also in the non-profit sector, and as an agency trails manager. He has spoken at dozens of regional and national conferences on a wide range of topics, and has received numerous industry awards.

Mr. Ryan Spates has been a mountain biker and hiker for over 19 years, experiencing trails all over the US and the world. Originally from the technology industry, Ryan decided to pursue his hobby as a career many years ago. He was initially trained by some of the early Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crews and spent many years as a volunteer trail steward in the Houston area. Some of his early design work can be seen on the hiking and mountain bike trails in Huntsville State Park. He has worked as a professional trail builder since 2003 working with the non-profit Texas Bicycle Coalition and as a co-owner of Talon Trail Systems, L.L.C. from 2006-2008. He now co-owns S&S Trail Services with Susan Stormer.

Thursday March 17       3:45-5:00 pm

Developing a Trail Matrix/Hierarchy for Better Trail Management

Many public lands have different types of trails ranging from more developed (sometimes paved) to more rustic natural surface trails of varying levels of difficulty. Design, development and long term management for these different types of trails can be challenging especially if each trail type does not have a good set of design specifications setting the expected level of care. This session will look at 3 different Trail Design Parameters from different settings and land managing agencies and discuss trail management for different types of trails. The session will present the following: US Forest Service Trail Classification System, Parks Canada Trails Management Program, and a Trail Matrix for the Parkland of Floyds Fork (Louisville KY).

Speaker(s): Woody Keen, Trail Dynamics, Mark Schmidt, Parks Canada, Debbie Caffin, USFS

Woody Keen is President of Trail Dynamics LLC and has served as President of Professional TrailBuilders Association since 2006. Woody is well known for “big picture” planning work and he has authored numerous trail management plans for a wide range of different land managing agencies.

Mark Schmidt has over 11 years of professional trails experience including trail design/planning, construction, management, and restoration. He joined Parks Canada as National Trails Analyst in January 2010 and is responsible for revising the national trail guidelines, creating new trail resources, working with external partners,and providing trail support for Parks Canada’s field units. Mark began his involvement with trails in the mid 1990’s, and became part of IMBA's Trail Care Crew from 2001-2004. From 2005-2009 Mark worked for IMBA Canada as a trail specialist and Executive Director, and has taught at Capilano University's Mountain Bike Operations Program.

Designing and Building All Weather Trails

The speakers will discuss the best way to build trails for all-weather riding, and focused on how to prevent damage to trails that are typically dry, with occasional periods of wetness. In the ideal world, trail users would avoid using trails when they are wet, whether from rain or snow melt during the spring. Since keeping all users off the trail is unlikely, land managers and trailbuilders need to take measures to prevent damage, without negatively affecting trails when they are dry.

Speaker(s): Rich Edwards and Dan Hudson, IMBA Trail Solutions

Strategic Trail Planning

This session will use the Welch Mountain Bike Initiative as an example and case study of how an effective  strategic trail plan can create a trail center that drastically improves a rural economy.  We will discuss the key elements to have in place prior to creating an effective Trail Plan, and how to implement it properly once all of the elements are in play.

Speaker(s): Dafydd Davis, MBE of Wales, UK

Dafydd Davis is a true mountain biking pioneer who has played a huge and vital role in the birth and recent expansion of purpose-built mountain bike trails in Wales and other parts of the UK. Davis is responsible for planning, designing and developing over 200 kilometers of technical trails, and it is fair to say that without him Wales would not have the abundance of forest trails it has today. His areas of expertise include strategic development, trail design, trail construction, consultation/planning, training, and project management.

Constructing a Helical Pier Boardwalk

Why Helical Piers? We will explore the process for determining if helical piers can be used, effects on permitting, layout of a boardwalk using helical piers, and installation procedures. Framing, decking, railings, and observation platforms will also be discussed. This session is rated for all levels.

Speaker(s):  Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC

Peter Jensen is the principal of Peter S. Jensen and Associates, LLC based out of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He is a nationally recognized expert in the accessible trails industry. He served on the Regulatory Negotiation Committee of the US Access Board, and has been integral in the development of proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Trails and Outdoor Developed Areas. He is also a skilled instructor in the design, construction, planning and maintenance of natural surface trails that are both sustainable and as inherently accessible as an environment will allow.