Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
budgetary line items, not least of which are personnel costs and mainte-
nance, a sentiment echoed by Rasor (1988). Second, volunteer efforts
strengthen the connection between residents (or visitors) and their local
environments. Finally, the volunteers experience a great deal of satisfaction
associated with spending time in nature, on a historic railway or in a cultural
setting and in knowing they are helping to protect vital cultural and natural
resources (Ralston & Rhoden, 2005).
Residents are often eager to help reopen trails that are on the verge of
being closed (Brown & Barter, 2004). This happened in 2010 in Arizona.
That year huge state budget cuts were enacted, and one of the first agencies
to be hit was Arizona State Parks. For many communities the state parks and
their associated trails are among their most prized points of pride and major
sources of income. Several communities stepped up to the plate and agreed
to staff, maintain and monitor some of the parks that were slotted for clo-
sure. Likewise, the Appalachian Trail is one of the only National Park system
areas founded and managed by volunteers (Bristow, 1998).
Volunteers are useful in route monitoring and repairs, especially on wil-
derness and long-distance trails where limited paid personnel might not be
able to get to all points and nodes when necessary (Bristow, 1998). Volunteer
hiking patrols are enthusiastic about their efforts and maintaining the goals
of the trail. They also play critical roles in rescue and injury situations
(Fiala, 1999).
There are many other ways that people are known to volunteer on routes
and trails as well. The Adopt-a-Highway program in the US saves millions
of dollars in cleanup costs every year, as organizations (e.g. church and youth
groups, families, schools) 'sponsor' sections of highways to clean and main-
tain. Similar programs have been implemented on rail-trails and other hiking
routes throughout the world (Holland, 2013). These corridor adoption pro-
grams allow people to provide altruistic service to their community, benefit
the trail and highway management agencies, and can provide exposure (the
sections are signed with lists of sponsors) for sponsoring organizations
(Clark, 1989).
Acquiring trail/land-use rights
One of the most arduous, time-consuming and expensive aspects of trail
development is the acquisition of trail rights or land-use rights. For the major-
ity of long-distance trails, byways and other circuits, the real estate itself is
typically not purchased, but agreements must still be made between land
owners and land agencies. For some footpaths and hiking trails, however, the
best option is to purchase the land outright so that it can be managed by a
single agency. There are several ways in which rights can be acquired for trail
development. The first way is known as 'fee title' (in the US), wherein open
spaces that have been legally set aside for protecting nature are used as trail
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