Good Neighbor Trail, Brooksville, Florida
For many years, a motivation for converting abandoned railbeds into a trail was, 'Build it, and they will come.' After the conversion, trails provided traffic-free commuting, a place for running, biking, or walking pets, and a place to escape outdoors. Trails became engines that fed the outdoor economy.
Trails have fulfilled their initial purpose, which is evident in the variety and number of people using them. Trails connect to other trails forming trail networks. This connectivity enables longer commutes to work or the market and multi-day adventures to explore unfamiliar places and new experiences.
Trails are more than the infrastructure that built, connected, and provided a safe and accessible place for everyone. Trails evolved beyond the physical path connecting to amenities and services meeting the needs of trail users. Communities and businesses grew and prospered, drawing more visitors and repeat visits.
Today, the government, civic groups, and the community partner in investing in their local trails. They recognize the value trails serve in welcoming residents and visitors to their communities. They see the trail as the welcome mat inviting all to come in and explore what lies beyond the trailhead.
Trails are now a valued part of our society, a testament to the many amenities and improvements resulting from major infrastructure projects. These projects typically require substantial investment, grants, fundraising, and extended approval and construction periods.
On my winter cycling trip in Florida and the Carolinas, I encountered trail projects that created unique, memorable trail experiences. Seven projects that creatively built upon the existing trail infrastructure stood out.
They stood out because they do not involve significant financial investment. These lower-cost projects offer more value and impact relative to the time and money spent. They serve as examples with the potential to bring similar projects and benefits to other trails.
Mobile Murals — Good Neighbor Trail, Brooksville, Fl
Cyclists on the Good Neighbor Trail pass through a gallery of murals as they approach the Brooksville train depot and trailhead. These murals are part of a project promoting Brooksville artists engaging visitors through public art.
The murals are hung with zip ties in timber-framed structures, positioned to lead trail visitors to the depot. This simple design is adaptable for other trails. It doesn't need to be a replica of the Brooksville gallery. It could be a single or a few murals highlighting the trail and community.
This innovative project has the power to launch similar projects to benefit local arts communities, trail towns, and trails. The frames can be simple or ornate, offering opportunities for volunteer design and construction. It fosters community engagement and pride and draws in visitors to pause and explore the local flavor through the artists' eyes.
Simple and Clear Wayfinding — Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville, SC
A sample of clear wayfinding on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
I caught a simple sign on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, where a neighborhood connector meets the Holland Park neighborhood. The design was clear and simple, indicating amenities just a few short blocks from the trail. The designer did a super job of catching a passing cyclist’s eye.
Communities and trails often underestimate the value of way-finding signs for nearby businesses, attractions, and amenities visitors frequently seek. Signs don't need to be elaborate designs relegated only to downtowns. Visitors relish the nearness of a block or two away.
A simple effective way-finding sign should have at least two goals. It highlights local attractions and amenities to trail visitors. It gives directions in an easy-to-read way that is not lost in overly detailed maps. Remember you only have a moment to get people to veer off the trail.
Mountain Biking on a Rail Trail — Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville, SC
The most impactful memory from my recent trail visits came into view as I approached the RAD Rabbit. I braked to take a closer look. This amazing project is an 800-foot, entry-level mountain bike trail parallel to the Swamp Rabbit Trail. It's designed for people of all ages, targeting youth, and offering alternative off-trail fun and adventure.
This concept can be replicated on other trails built on former double-track right-of-ways where one rail line is the rail trail. The unused portion of the railbed offers the potential of a short accessible mountain biking adventure.
The touch of unexpected adventure entices families to the trail and entices youth to be active, explore freedom, and connect with nature. It engages the mountain bike community, a growing part of the cycling community, in enhancing the trail with a glimpse of the appeal of mountain biking.
Implementing this feature could be done easily with volunteers. The RAD Rabbit was built in four weeks with volunteers. The costs for materials and engineering design would be minimal. The mountain biking community can advise and contribute to the design and championing of the project. It fosters community pride by bringing together many volunteer perspectives and adds an unexpected experience along the trail for families.
Trail Emergency Location Identifiers — Swamp Rabbit and Many Trails
Two examples of emergency location identifiers
Trail markings, sometimes known as trail tattoos, enhance visitor awareness of their location on trails. The markings often warn of upcoming road crossings and potential hazards.
I first encountered the use of trail markings for emergency assistance locations on Florida trails. These markings are placed at short intervals, every 0.1 mile. The emblem incorporates a trail identifier, mileage marker, and 9-1-1 for emergencies. On the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a simple trail location identifier can be shared with 9-1-1 in an emergency.
Implementing this system is a simple yet valuable project for improving trail safety. Mileposts, common on most trails, are a mile apart and useful for cyclists. Hikers, runners, dog walkers, and rollerbladers would benefit from more frequent trail mileage markers.
Regardless of trail user, they look ahead and slightly down, making these trail markings easily readable and visible. In an emergency, it's reassuring knowing your exact location is easily identifiable and quickly shareable with 9-1-1 within a short distance.
The simple, spray-painted marking system is cost-effective, requiring only spray paint and stencils. Customizable stencils are readily available online. A team of volunteers could easily paint the trail identifiers and markings. Other volunteers could compile the GPS coordinates for each marker to share with emergency services and 9-1-1.
Hop, Toss, Shake, and Wiggle — Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville, SC
A sample Born Learning station on the Swamp Rabbit Trail
I made a wrong turn on the Swamp Rabbit Trail onto a neighborhood connector. I encountered a sign inviting me to hop, toss, shake, and wiggle. A hopscotch square was painted on the trail adjacent to it. The words on the sign encouraged children to have fun and be active.
I researched the sign's origin and discovered it was part of Born Learning, a United Way project. This program engages youth in enjoyable learning activities during walks on the trail with their families. Ten interactive signs prompt children to be more physically and mentally active while involving their parents in the experience.
United Way offers these customizable signs to parks and trails. By partnering with your local United Way, you can raise community awareness and significantly foster the physical, mental health, and overall well-being of children using the trail.
On the Swamp Rabbit Trail, I only saw a single sign at that trailhead. I assume other signs were located along the trail in different areas. The United Way provides resources for creating a trail location in a park or section of a trail. This trail creates a place to promote the health and mental well-being of everyone, not just children.
Humorous Wayfinding — Coney Island, Good Neighbor Trail, Brooksville, Fl
Cycling friends at Coney Island in Brooksville, FL
I enjoy classic coneys at Coney Island. It’s a must-stop for me and other cyclists on the Good Neighbor Trail. This step-back-in-time drive-in offers many variations of hot dogs. A classic milepost in the picnic area featuring faraway places adds to the nostalgia.
These tourist signposts whimsically point to distant places and are common in popular tourist areas. Introducing this project to the trail cultivates a distinct sense of place relative to other familiar places. The theming possibilities are endless, ranging from exotic destinations or other trailheads to the creations of pure imagination.
This affordable project requires little more than wood, paint, nails, ingenuity, and creative volunteers. It is a form of way-finding art. The more creative it is, the more apt it is to be a photo op. It becomes a memory and elevates the place along the trail connecting people to familiar or distant places.
QR Codes Are Necessities Along the Trail
The use of QR codes on trails is endless.
QR codes are common in our society, appearing everywhere from restaurant menus to a growing number of places. They have found a valuable place along trails, a trend seen in the projects I highlighted in this story.
The mural project utilizes QR codes to provide information about the artists and the artwork. QR codes commonly found on trial signage allow users to access details about the trails and their rules.
Implementing QR codes is a low-cost endeavor. Numerous QR code generators are free to use. For any project, simply create a webpage, the destination of the scan, with more details and a donation link. Print the QR code on a sign, brochure, or donation box and you are set.
QR codes offer a convenient way to encourage donations. Visitors may not carry cash but are often willing to scan a code and contribute a small amount, such as $5 to $10.
PayPal Giving Fund is a platform for non-profits that allows them to solicit donations through PayPal. 100% of donations go to the non-profit with no fees. It's a straightforward and painless way to encourage donations that would otherwise be a missed opportunity.
Share your low-cost, high-impact projects
Consider the seven examples above as blueprints for your trail. These projects encourage active volunteer and community engagement, a sign of a healthy trail.
This engagement often leads to surprising and valuable partnerships, like the Born Learning project with United Way and the RAD Rabbit partnership with the mountain biking community.
I am eager to hear about low-cost high-impact projects my fellow trail enthusiasts have seen on trails. I'm sharing these examples in the hope that you will share your own. By sharing our ideas and projects, we make trails more inviting and accessible to a wider range of people.