Multi-use Trails: Truly Multi Use

Trails are a valued form of recreation that appeals to a wide variety of users. The uses that these trails support include walking, biking, running, inline skating, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and others. A challenge to trail managers is designing and managing a trail that appeals to diverse groups of users. This research examined the similarities and differences between distinct user segments on the Lansing River Trail located in Lansing, Michigan. Respondents were segmented based upon their reasons for using the trail. Five distinct user groups were identified: those who use the trail solely for exercise, training, recreation, transportation, or for mixed purposes. These and other distinctions will be discussed in this paper for both researchers and managers. 1.0 Introduction As communities continue to expand, lifestyles are becoming more fast-paced and people have less time to enjoy outdoor leisure opportunities. In addition, they are becoming more sedentary as they spend more time in vehicles and in front of computer monitors and televisions. Rail-trails and other urban trails are one type of asset that can serve society’s need for physical activity, link communities, and can be accessible to many people depending on their route (Gobster, 2004; Rosegard, 2004). Trail activities such as walking, running, bicycling and in-line skating promote health and provide quality leisure experiences (Henderson and Ainsworth, 2000, 2002). A healthy, active lifestyle has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular morbidity (Manson et al., 1999). Trail users are diverse and have many different motives for trail use. The objective of this study was to better understand the demographics, motives, and activity patterns of urban trail users on Lansing Michigan’s River Trail. In a recent trail symposium sponsored by American Trails Association, a research session discussed the situation that we continue to lack data on trail use and users (Pugh and Moore, 2005). This paper attempts to fill that gap to share a methodology and results from an in-depth, reliable trail use and user study. 2.0 Background The Lansing River Trail (LRT) is a multiple use, non-motorized trail of seven miles in length. It meanders along the banks of the Red Cedar and Grand Rivers between Michigan State University (MSU) and North Lansing. In addition there is a spur that runs from River Point Park to Moore’s River Park following the Grand River upstream for more than a mile. The trail traverses through a variety of habitats and natural environments. The trail provides direct river access to fisherman and offers walking/running, biking, and inline skating opportunities. The LRT links many of Lansing’s city parks together, as well as downtown and neighborhood business districts and many other community attractions including historic museums, farmers market, and the city’s convention center. In 2004, the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council (Mid MEAC) received a grant from the DALMAC Bike Tour to assess the use and users of the LRT. To accomplish this they contracted with researchers from the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies at MSU to conduct a study on the level of trail use and to profile trail users. 3.0 Methods The data gathered in this study was collected by an onsite survey conducted July 15 through September 15, 2004. Six sampling sites were selected along the trail, each approximately one mile apart. Sample periods were proportionally distributed for weekdays and weekend days with two-hour sampling blocks. Trail users were intercepted at a rate of every ten minutes, with a possible sample size of 864 and an actual sample size of 354. The difference between the potential and actual sample size is due to no survey being administered during that 10-minute period as no user passed by or by a trail user refusing to complete the questionnaire. Those completing the survey responded to questions about motives for using the trail, duration of trail use, satisfaction with the trail experience, and suggestions for improvements and extensions. Two trained interviewers collected all surveys. It was also the job of the interviewers to observe and record on a tally all trail users that passed by during their two-hour time block. Trail users were tallied by their type of use and also by their age (adults vs. children). The one-page survey was then given to only those trail users who gave consent.