Trail Maintenance and trail consulting services to Public entities and Homeowner Associations

In conversation with various recreation and public work professionals, we have identified a need for expert trail consulting and maintenance services. What follows is a proposal, originally submitted to the City of Burbank and subsequently adopted, to regularly inspect and maintain all of their public trails and be available for emergency repairs in the event of weather or other damage. The program received the blessing of their public employees union which recognized that park maintenance personnel simply did not have the time, inclination, funding, tools or expertise to handle most trail maintenance.

Why use an outside company for trail repair? Understandably, most local government organizations with a limited trail program are not geared to providing ongoing maintenance or emergency repairs. Trail work calls for skill levels and specialized equipment which most park maintenance personnel simply do not have. Volunteers, if there are any, rarely have sufficient training, lack tools to perform this work, and generally are unavailable when the need is most severe.

Consequently, many urban trails, especially those in foothill or open space areas, tend always to be in a state of serious and continual deterioration. This does a real disservice to users and to the City's recreation program. Recent studies show that trails are one of our most highly used and appreciated recreation facilities. Consistent attention to upgrading trail quality will meet with strong citizen approval and support.

Poorly maintained trails, on the other hand, constitute a disservice and create a potential liability and safety hazard.

Unfortunately, funding for on-going and emergency trail maintenance tends to be almost non-existent. As anyone familiar with trails knows, failure to provide this kind of repair leads only to greater expense long term. When very limited funds do become available, many public entities understandably seek the help of well-meaning volunteers, CCC crews, or untrained maintenance workers. Unfortunately, this may actually end up costing more because too often the work is not done correctly and the problems persist.

On the other hand, some entities, such as the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, sponsor training and provide expert supervision of trail workers, and in those cases the results are much better. But that takes a level of dedication, time and money to train the trainers and involves a huge commitment of staff effort which I doubt is in the cards for most public recreation programs.

Good maintenance and repair keeps trails draining properly so they do not erode and otherwise fail, reduces misuse such-as trail cutting by careful attention to location and other structural features, and generally prevents problems from getting out of hand.

I believe our organization could help with this problem in a way that would be truly win/win.

Why us? We bring over 25 years in the business of trail building, design, pedestrian and equestrian bridges, accessible trails, erosion control, related recreation facilities, etc.

In all modesty, our know-how, equipment, products, and special capabilities are unequaled.

You could put us on retainer to provide consultation on all trail related issues, routine or emergency. This would include an inventory of maintenance needs, location, adequacy, connections, costs of repair, etc.

The report would include a prioritizing of repairs and scheduling; we could then work out an agreement to perform this work or assist other crews cooperatively.

An ancillary service\ice would be to create accurate trail maps and to provide users with assessment information about levels of difficulty, grades, distances, cross slopes, potential obstacles, etc. for better knowledge of what trails were suitable to their skill level, time constraints, etc. This kind of trail assessment service is being developed broadly-for example, by the California Department of Parks and Recreation-and we will offer something similar to local agencies as well. Such information could be a source of crucial assistance for persons with disabilities, and since new trail standards are being adopted to mandate such trail information and accessibility accommodation, this is timely. GPS technology, incorporated in so many other ways, could assist in this effort.

Again, the particulars can be hashed out in a way that meets needs of both organizations and fits comfortably with existing procedures and structure. The result will be an effective, helpful, and ultimately less expensive approach than either neglect or inexperienced help will yield. I look forward to an opportunity to explore how we can work together.

Sincerely,

ROGER BELL PRESIDENT