Trails for the Twenty-First Century by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781597263467
Publisher: Island Press
Published: 2013-03-04T16:00:00+00:00

Safety and Security

Your landscape plan must address user safety and security. The design needs to create both genuine security as well as perceived security. Start with good visibility. Trail users should have at least 100 feet of both forward and rear visibility on a level grade. Sight distances are particularly important at approaches to tunnels, bridge underpasses, and intersections; the user should be able to see all the way through before entering the area.

Do not allow dense understory to grow next to the trail since it can create shadows or blind areas. Keep the trail edge groomed to create an open view and a maintained look. Ideally, dense understory growth should be cleared at least 5 feet back from the trail’s edge.

Your design should provide occasional “escape routes”—ways to retreat from any problems. There should be no “box canyons,” areas where the trail corridor is fully enclosed by dense vegetation, walls, backs of buildings, or other barriers. To minimize the sense of isolation, place your plantings to maintain visibility between the trail and adjoining residences, shops, and businesses. Trees and shrubs planted in groups can help break up the imposing look of long walls. Work with owners of adjoining buildings to pursue appealing landscaping.

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