Building Forest Recreation Opportunities

Recreation on forest land is an important concern for many public and private landowners. In some situations it is the primary goal for land management. Elsewhere, recreation is supplemental to other objectives such as wildlife enhancement or timber production. Non-industrial private landowners participating in the Forest Stewardship Program frequently include recreation as one of the primary objectives in their Stewardship Management Plans. Whether on public or private land, recreational opportunities are expanding in many directions. Hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and nature observation are only a few of the leisure activities pursued on forest lands. Some folks even view strenuous activities such as rock climbing and firewood cutting as forms of recreation. Recreational options may be exercised by individuals, large organized groups, or combinations between these two extremes.

For most recreational activities, trails are an important component of the management plan and infrastructure. Trails represent the main route of travel for hiking, riding and a variety of other pursuits. They are also important for access to recreational sites, such as the favorite fishing hole, archery target, beach or camping spot. Environmental education and nature observation rely on trails as "classrooms" for study and learning. All of these important functions depend upon carefully designed, constructed and maintained trail systems.

This paper will provide practical information for planning and developing recreational trails on forest land. Although the guidelines were collected from various sources listed at the end of the publication, they have been tailored to fit Florida conditions. We will describe general designs and construction methods as well as some of the structures that may be important components of your trails, such as bridges, boardwalks, and benches. Costs are mentioned with the cautionary disclaimer that they may be highly variable depending on how you implement your recreation plans. The references listed at the end of the paper will provide readers with additional details on many of these subjects.