Monitoring Trail Use: Case Study Applications at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Author(s):
S.M. Turner, P.H. Lasley, J.C. Pourteau
Publication Date:
April 2013
Abstract:
This study evaluated commercially-available trail counters, developed a step-by-step framework for monitoring trails and other non-motorized facilities, and applied the monitoring framework in two unique park settings. The Mission Reach Trail in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park served as an example of a typical linear urban park. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park served as an example of a rural park with a trail network and a limited number of discrete access points. Trail use was sampled at several locations within these two parks, and overall estimates of trail use were developed from this data collection. The resulting trail use data quantifies how many people use the trails at different times during the day, different days of the week, and months of the year. This trail use data can be used for several purposes, such as managing natural resources, planning or developing new programs and facilities, and quantifying the public health and physical activity benefits to park visitors.
Report Number:
TTI 401090-1
Electronic Link(s):
Document/Product
http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/401090-1.pdf
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