TRAL 2003 - Trail Operations and Regulations

Description
This course provides an in-depth examination of trail operations and regulations, including the
management of trail organizations, regulatory frameworks, and operational practices. Students will
explore topics such as land use regulations, environmental regulations, public safety, ADA
compliance, risk mitigation, trail signage, and the management of national trail systems. Through
practical experiences, students will develop skills in trail operations and regulations and apply
their knowledge to real-world scenarios. TRAL 2003 Trail Operations and Regulations delves into the
principles and practices of trail operations and regulations, including trail management
organizations and partnerships, trail regulations and permitting, trail designations and
classifications, trail maintenance and operations, and trail user education and outreach. The
course will also cover trail user education, trail data collection, trail technology and GIS, trail
collaborations and partnerships,
and trail promotion and marketing.

Pre-Requisite
None

3 Credit Hour(s)

Contact Hours
45 Lecture hours

3 Faculty Load Hour(s)

Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring, Summer

ACTS Equivalent
None

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
• Analyze and apply land use regulations and environmental regulations in trail management.
• Interpret and adhere to public safety regulations, including CPR, First Aid, and emergency procedures.
• Identify and develop strategies for ADA compliance in trail design and operations.
• Implement risk mitigation measures to enhance trail safety.
• Plan and execute trail sign installation and maintenance.
• Explain the process of trail decommissioning and wildland restoration.
• Apply specific skills related to the National Trail System, including inventory, assessment, and monitoring.
• Identify and designate trails within the National Trail System, including national scenic trails, historic trails, recreation trails, and rail trails.
• Develop a comprehensive trail management plan for a local park or recreational area.
• Evaluate the challenges and opportunities of trail operations and regulations through case studies and real-world examples.

General Education Outcomes Supported
• Students develop higher order thinking skills.
• Students gain greater awareness of cultural perspectives.
• Students can write clear, coherent, well-organized documents, which are substantially free of errors.
• Students can read selections at the college level.
• Students develop effective oral communication skills.
• Students will demonstrate technological fluency.
• Students demonstrate information literacy.

Standard Practices

Topics List
• Land Use Regulations
• Environmental Regulations
• Public Safety Regulations
• ADA Compliance
• Risk Mitigation (CPR, First Aid, Emergency Equipment, and Procedures)
• Trail Sign Installation and Inventory
• Trail Decommissioning and Wildland Restoration
• Effective Communication with Multiple Stakeholders
• Workplace Professionalism
• National Trail System Specific Skills
o Inventory, Assessment, and Monitoring (IAM)
o National Scenic Trail Designation and Planning
o National Historic Trail Designation and Planning
o National Recreation Trail Designation and Planning
o Rail Trail Designation and Planning
o Decommissioning Trails

Learning Activities
• Interactive lectures and discussions
• Case studies on trail operations and regulations

• Regulatory compliance workshops
• Guest speaker sessions and individual site visits to trail systems
• Individually acquired hands-on training in CPR, First Aid, and emergency procedures
• Development of a trail management plan for a local park or recreational area
Assessments
• Quizzes and examinations (20%)
• Trail management plan project and presentation (30%)
• Regulatory compliance assessments (15%)
• Case study analysis (10%)
• Class participation and discussions (10%)
• Final project on evaluating trail operations and regulations (15%)

Grading Guidelines
• A (90-100%)
• B (80-89%)
• C (70-79%)
• D (60-69%)
• F (Below 60%)