Trail User Survey
This study is part of an effort to develop plans for the State Trails Program and the Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Program. The survey is being conducted among parks and trails enthusiasts and organization representatives to ask for input into the trail planning process. This list was developed by the Arizona State Parks Board and Arizona State University.
Your participation in this survey is very important. Your answers will help set priorities for trail management in Arizona, and help determine how a portion of the Heritage Fund and the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Fund should be spent. The Heritage Fund comes from Lottery revenues and the OHV Fund comes from gasoline tax dollars. Some of these funds go directly to provide recreational trail opportunities and facilities for all Arizona residents and visitors.
The survey will take approximately 15 – 20 minutes to complete. Your answers to this survey are completely confidential. Your name will not be connected to your answers in any way. Your participation in this survey is voluntary; however, you can help us very much by taking a few minutes to share your opinions. Begin Survey
2-Day Classroom and Field Session Workshop focuses on three main components of trails preservation: monitoring, mapping, and marking trails. Scheduled for March 14 & 15, 2008. Learn more about this event.
Arizona State Parks' State Trails Program provides a number of benefits for trail users, organizations, and communities. The State Trails Program:
The State Trails Program works closely with the Arizona State Committee on Trails (ASCOT). ASCOT represents nonmotorized trail user groups and land managing agencies with a vision of advancing and promoting trail use, management and development.
Arizona State Parks administers the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) fund. The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a component of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). This funding source is designed to enhance motorized and nonmotorized recreational trails. RTP monies are split into motorized and nonmotorized projects. The motorized portion funds a competitive grant program. The nonmotorized funds are being utilized to aid land managers in their trail maintenance needs. The program focuses on trail maintenance based on the priorities identified in the Arizona Trails 2005 Plan and subsequent public involvement. The Arizona State Parks Board allocated more than $1.5 million dollars for the next two years to improve Arizona's trails.
The program utilizes youth conservation corps: the American Conservation Experience, Coconino Rural Environment Corps, Northwest Youth Corps and the Southwest Conservation Corps. These crews travel across the state to provide trail maintenance services to projects selected through the RTP program. We are currently working with 23 organizations ranging from city, county, federal agencies and land trusts.
For information on the “2008-2010 Cycle” download the State Parks RTP Trail Maintenance Program Manual. (
176 KB PDF)
Other Trail Maintenance Program documents:
Instructions for Completing Environmental Doucment ( 32 KB PDF)
Recreational Trails Program Environmental Determination ( 329 KB PDF)
Recreational Trails Program Environmental Determination: Short Form for federal applicants only ( 38 KB PDF)
State Historic Preservation Office Review Form ( 173 KB PDF)
For more information regarding Trails Heritage Fund grants available through Arizona State Parks visit the Grants Program.
Every five years, the Arizona State Parks prepares a statewide trails plan. The most recent plan, The Arizona Trails 2005 Plan was approved in November 2004. The plan reports on trail usage, needs and user perceptions. This information is intended to be a resource to guide trail agencies for the next five years. The purpose of this plan is to provide information and recommendations to guide Arizona State Parks and other agencies in Arizona in their management of motorized and nonmotorized trail resources, and specifically to guide the distribution and expenditure of Arizona State Parks administered trail funds.
Introduction
Chapter 1-2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 -5
Appendices
Arizona’s State Trails System is invaluable, offering a diversity of quality nonmotorized trails that inspire people to experience the State’s magnificent outdoor environment and cultural history.
The Arizona State Trails System has been established to recognize and promote non-motorized trails that are of special interest or significance to both Arizona's residents and visitors. Trails offer a wide variety of recreation opportunities. The System currently contains over 600 trails. Arizona State Parks and ASCOT monitor these trails conditions and promote the trails in various ways.
The trails are compiled into the Arizona State Trails Guide, a comprehensive trails guide to the State Trails System.
State Trails System Nominations are due by 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Trails must be accepted into the State Trails System to be eligible for Trails Heritage Fund Grants.
Download State Trails System Nomination Application (
320 KB DOC)
Fill it out, and mail it to State Trails Coordinator at Arizona State Parks, 1300 W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85007.
The Arizona Trail, the dream of Flagstaff teacher and hiking enthusiast Dale Shewalter, will eventually be a 790 mile nonmotorized trail that traverses the State from Mexico to Utah. The Arizona Trail is intended to be a primitive, long distance trail that highlights the State's topographic, biologic, historic, and cultural diversity.
The primary users are hikers, equestrians, and mountain bicyclists (outside of wilderness or other specially managed areas). Opportunities will also exist for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, joggers, and packstock users. Government agencies, volunteers, and private groups and businesses are working together to make the Arizona Trail a reality. For more information visit their website at www.aztrail.org.
For more information on the State Trails Program, contact: Annie McVay, State Trails Coordinator, 1300 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007.
(To view and print PDF documents you will need the free
Adobe Reader from Adobe, available at www.adobe.com.)
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