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Recreational TrailsRide- Cycle-Walk
Trails are for everyone!
What is a trail?
A trail can be a corridor, route or pathway with strong linkages with the natural environment, open space networks and cultural heritage.
Legal access-ways may include
• Formed roads• Road related areas (within the road
boundaries)• Unmade Road Reserves• Easements (e.g. pipelines)• Beaches• Disused rail corridors• Stock routes
In South Australia, the land managers most likely to have trails are
• Local Government (Roads/public land)• Forestry SA• Dept. Environment, Water, Natural
Resources• Dept. Transport• History Trust• (SA Water)
• Private landholders• Private companies with leases over land
Trails are ranked
• Local• Regional• State
Trails have most value if they
• Provide an experience for the target user group/wider public
• Link two points of interest• Form part of a wider network
Trails can be multi/shared use, duel or single use.
Not all options make a good trail.
However, providing a safer place for trail users to get off a motorised carriageway has a very high value, even if scenery value not so high.
Advocating for trails in your area
1. Use the current trails (use or lose!)
2. Find out if others are working on trail access issues in your area & join up (or start a network/group)
3. See what trails are already planned & support
4. Get to know your local area, and look at options for trails
Opportunities- target user groups- scenic/safety/tourism/other values- plan out links & loops- consider local businesses
List of what needs to be worked on- land tenures
- infrastructure (surface/signage) - trail heads
5. Find opportunities to learn more about trail design
- Trails SA website- Online resources (Google )- IMBA / relevant peak bodies- Learn to recognise well build trails of
different types, different locations- Note how the trail is used- Attend trail building workshops
Recognise what a well-designed, sited and built trail looks like.
Ask land managers about what it takes to maintain the trail and adjacent corridor.
Get excited by signage! Start a photo library.
Collect ideas for infrastructure e.g. Shiraz Trail water points (horse, dog, human combined)
6. Advocate for Trails
Join your walk/horse/bike trails group
Find out who your local Councilor and Mayor are.
• Arrange a time to meet• Provide regular updates• Invite to club special occasions• Contribute to public consultations of all
kinds (road closures/ recreation/open space/tourism etc.)
Repeat with State and Federal MP’sEngage with Regional Development Board & NRM BoardKeep in contact with other organisations who are also interested in trails in their area e.g. local business association
This is a LONG TERM commitment
Advocate for Trails Cont.
Provide local newspaper with storiesUse social media – Not only Facebook but look at Pinterest (favourite spots) or Instagram (pic of the day)
Build a ‘general’ following of people who can be called on at critical times to support trails e.g. if there is a local issue that may close a trail.
Build stories as to why the trail is important (visit ‘Get up’ for ideas) e.g. my children can ride their bike safely to school
Celebrate successes (and remind people what they are)
Once a trail is in, there is still plenty of work for advocates to do
Social networks
Trail user education
Maintenance
Continuous improvement for infrastructure (Shiraz Trail)
Link up with other trails in the region
Develop mapping, participate in promotions
Conduct trail events
Help others get their trail project off the ground
