Trails advocates: get a copy of this article to your state
health agency, local hospitals and HMOs, and health
organizations. Why Build Trails? Trails in a neighborhood makes
it easier for people to incorporate exercise into their daily
routines, whether for recreation or non-motorized
transportation. Trails by another name are "linear parks"-- safe
havens for walking and jogging, bicycling, family and social
outings that connect people to places they want to go, such as
schools, transit centers, businesses and neighborhoods.
Communities need trails along streets as well as off the
roadways, giving people of all skills and abilities the option
to be active. The goal of Healthy People 2000 is to increase the
miles of trails available to the general public. In all but a
few locations, trail-miles per person are much below accepted
standards. Designing Trails for People The success of a trail is
also dependent upon design elements which make trails safe,
aesthetically pleasing and easily accessible. Design of a