GUIDELINES FOR THE PLANNING, DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION

2.0 RECREATIONAL TRAILS OVERVIEW2.1 WHY HAV E R E CR E AT I O N ALTRA I L S?SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS: Participation in trail activities improves physicaland mental health, assists with disease preventionThe demand for recreational trails is growing. Nationaland management, particularly cardiovascular,physical activity trends indicate that participation inmusculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous and endocrineunstructured recreational activities is increasing.systems as well as reducing obesity, hypertension,depression and anxiety.In addition, trail research undertaken by Market Equity Trail activities facilitate participation and interactionin 2004 found that trails provide a strong incentive tobetween a diverse range of community members,exercise (up to 85% of users) and were used by manyage groups, individuals and families and facilitateas a means to spend time with family and friendssocial interaction, e.g. community groups, voluntary(up to 89%).trail maintenance and conservation work.Both nationally and in South Australia based on 2009 Trails can offer a wide range of opportunities to a-2010 survey, walking is the most popular sport andwide range of people. Depending upon design, trailsphysical activity for people over 15 years of age (15%),can accommodate the elderly, people with mobilitywith jogging and cycling third and fifth respectivelyimpairments or satisfy those seeking challengingwith jogging being the only activity to show an increaseadventures and a sense of achievement.since 2005-2006. Bushwalking was ninth on the list of Participation in trail activities is relatively low cost.most popular activities and the most popular types of Trails can introduce participants to other recreationalfacilities used for sport and physical activity were parks,and participation offerings in the community.beaches and walking trails1. Trails help to connect people and places and developThe 2006 data indicates that, in South Australia, thereand grow community pride.were over 120,000 cyclists and 476,000 walkers.Almost 54,000 South Australians specifically reportedENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL BENEFITS:that they bush- walked for exercise or recreation in their Trails provide opportunities for the community toexperience natural and cultural environments.leisure time .2 Trails help to protect the environment by localisingHorse riding is another recreational activity pursuedimpacts and managing visitation effects.by many South Australians and is amongst the top Trails provide for educational and interpretive20 activities for women. Participation in canoeing andkayaking is steadily increasing, both Australia wideopportunities and increase environmental andand in SA, while scuba diving continues to attractcultural awareness and appreciation.many enthusiasts. All these pursuits are becoming a Well-connected trail networks can decrease thesignificant component of South Australia’s suite ofuse of motorised vehicles for transportation andrecreational opportunities.recreation, therefore reducing the production ofemissions that contribute to global warming andRecreational trails offer a diverse range of benefits torespiratory problems.our communities and the environment. Social health, Trail networks increase community ownership andphysical fitness, environmental management andawareness, cultural preservation and the economy canassist to preserve natural and cultural values.all benefit from the effects and experiences offered by Trails highlight our ‘living heritage’ by allowingrecreational trails. The main benefits can be summarisedthe continuation of traditional activities such asas follows:horse riding. Trails provide opportunities for communityparticipation in conservation and revegetation work.1ABS Australian Social Trends, Jun 2011 http://www.abs.gov.au2Statistics from ERASS Survey 2001-20068PROVIDING LEADERSHIP, SUPPORT AND ADVOCACYTO ORGANISATIONS IN THE RECREATION INDUSTRY.

2.0 RECREATIONAL TRAILS OVERVIEWECONOMIC BENEFITS:some way indicating status and responsibility to the Trails may generate intrastate, interstate andtrail provider.overseas tourism spending.Existing and proposed trails must be designed and Trails support and enhance local businessmaintained in accordance with their landscape settingopportunities.and to sustain the physical demands of use and Trail visitors spend money in towns and communitiesclimatic conditions.along or near trails.All trails will be: Trail users spend money preparing for their trailSUSTAINABLE: contributing to positive social,experience or recreation activities.environmental and economic outcomes Trail construction and maintenance can generateemployment opportunities.QUALITY: being accessible and meeting the needs ofthe user Participation in trail activities improves communityhealth and reduces health expenditure.South Australian trails are further classified into three2.2 TYPE S O F TR AI LScategories for trails based on their significance asSouth Australia features a variety of landscapes,are determined by characteristics that focus on thepopulation densities and climatic conditions. Patternstrail’s ability to demonstrate sustainability, experientialof settlement range from sparsely populated areasquality, attraction to tourists, generation of economicto peri-urban and suburban environments. Climaticbenefits and contribution to the lifestyle, health andconditions also vary significantly in both a geographicsocial wellbeing of South Australians. A series of keyand seasonal sense. Similarly, trail opportunities andindicators has also been developed to guide decisionexperiences vary widely and include a higher frequencymakers when determining the category of a trail. Theof use within and around the populated areas oftrail category characteristics are briefly described belowmetropolitan Adelaide to more isolated and intimatewhile the key indicators are detailed in Appendix B.local, regional or national trails. The trail categoriesexperiences in the outback and regional areas.The South Australian Recreational Trails 10 Year y attractlocal usersAttract interstateand intrastatevisitorsAttractinternational andinterstate touristsGenerateeconomic benefitsto the local areaGeneratesignificanteconomic benefitsto the regionGeneratesignificanteconomic benefitsto SAGood qualityexperiential valuesExcellent qualityexperiential valuesOutstandingquality ofexperiential valuesMake a significantcontributionto the lifestyle,health and socialwell being of thelocal communityMake a significantcontributionto the lifestyle,health and socialwell being ofSouth AustraliansMake a significantcontributionto the lifestyle,health and socialwell being ofAustraliansPlan establishes two broad categories of trails:SOCIAL TRAIL NETWORKSThese trail systems may be accessed in any number ofways from a variety of locations with little or no signs ordirection given on the ground. They are trail networkswhich are used by a variety of recreational users, whichare not necessarily approved or sanctioned by the landowner or manager. Whatever their status in terms ofaccess (sanctioned or otherwise) they are importantrecreational resources, often of significant value. Theyare often based around traditional access routes, desirelines or even natural corridors such as river banks,ridges, or linear features such as fences and walls.PRESCRIBED ROUTE SYSTEMSPrescribed route systems differ from social trailTrails that do not have the characteristics of local,networks in that they are based on marked or signedregional or national trails may well be importanttrail routes that are clearly defined. In additionto some users but will most likely be classed asprescribed route systems have clearly defined trailheads‘unsustainable trails’. Such trails will require reviewwhere trails start or finish or both.and analysis by trail managers to determine if trailimprovement or closure is appropriate.What sets them apart from social trail networks isthat they are trail marked or signed and promoted in9PROVIDING LEADERSHIP, SUPPORT AND ADVOCACYTO ORGANISATIONS IN THE RECREATION INDUSTRY.

2.0 RECREATIONAL TRAILS OVERVIEW2.3 GUI DI NG PR I N CI P LE SIn order to achieve a network of sustainable trails,Prior to the consideration of a new trails initiative –management and use of existing trails prior to theeither improving an existing trail or constructing a newconsideration of new trail projects. The developmentone – it is important to ensure that the proposal is bothof new trails may then be contemplated followingit may be necessary to review the location, design,the closure or rehabilitation of existing trails that are sustainable andinappropriately located or designed. qualityACCESSIBLE TRAILSThe new initiative should be accessible and clearly meetIntertwined with the objective of sustainability isthe needs of the intended users.the need for trails to be accessible and to meetAdherence to these two ‘guiding principles’ will assistthe needs of intended users. One of the main rolesin attracting support from the user group, minimiseof trails is to link communities to a variety of highthe likelihood of environmental damage and maximisequality experiences and interesting natural and ruralopportunities for land owner support and funding.landscapes. In addition, trails can improve mobility andThese ‘guiding principles’ are discussed further below.connectivity within and between urban areas. Trailswhich are readily accessible and provide links betweenSUSTAINABLE TRAILScommunities and landscapes can enhance lifestylesIt is fundamentally important that recreational trails arethrough the promotion of physical activity, reducing thesocially, economically and environmentally sustainable.reliance on motorised vehicles and improving healthGiven the limited amount of natural and semi-naturaland fitness.landscapes remaining in South Australia, recreationalAccessibility is determined by:activities that diminish natural values (biodiversity andlandscape amenity) are inappropriate and will not be proximity to the metropolitan area, populationacceptable to the community or other stakeholders.centres or tourist attractionsIt is vital, therefore, that high quality recreational proximity to related facilities such as horse agistmentexperiences are developed in landscapes that areareas or other popular riding areascapable of supporting the activities. proximity to transportation facilities such as railwayThe conservation and enhancement of natural areas,lines or road network providing access to the siteprotection of biodiversity and raising environmental existing or proposed linkages to other trails and theawareness should underpin the development of anwider trails network.environmentally sustainable trail network. This can beachieved through appropriate trail design, location proximity to natural attractions such as scenic views,selection and ongoing management.native vegetation, waterfalls, lakes, coastline, etc. presence of existing facilities that may support orTrails must also be economically and sociallysustainable. There is a growing body of evidence whichfacilitate use of the trail such as car parks, toilets,identifies the economic benefits that well developedpicnic fac

3.2tate Level S 15 3.3egional Level R 19 3.4ocal Level L 19 3.5ederal Level F 21 4.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 8.722 4.1oduction Intr 23 4.2tate Level S 24 4.3egional Level R 25 4.4ocal Level L 26 4.5eak User Groups P 27 5.0 TRAIL PLANNING 28 5.1oduction Intr 29 5.2t