Creating a walking route can be simple or complex, but in order for people to feel comfortable using it, the route should be safe and easily accessible. Public facilities must also meet standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It may also be worth creating several routes in your town so that people have a place to walk in their neighborhoods and during the day as a break from work.

There are various types of walking routes. For example, a community could decide to keep the local high school track open to the public, cleared of snow, ice, and debris, and well-lit in the evenings. A walking path can be created simply by designating a route along sidewalks in a neighborhood or in a business or historic district. A community may wish to construct a footpath through the woods using volunteers to clear limbs and build bridges. Or a community may want to build a paved trail that can be used by walkers, runners, bicyclists, and in-line skaters.

Easy-to-follow guidelines:

1. Work with your town officials, health organizations, and other physical activity-related organizations that may be interested in creating a safe, accessible route in your town.

2. Decide on a route that will be accessible by a large group of people. People should be able to safely walk to the route and there should be parking so that people can drive to it.

3. Follow the Healthy Maine Walks Registry guidelines.

If you are designating a walking route on an existing walkway (such as a sidewalk or a track) you may want to provide the following amenities:

• Make sure the path is clearly marked so that people know where the path is and the distance walked.

• Provide lights so that people feel safe walking on the path (especially in the winter months when the days are short).

• Have car and, ideally, bike parking available within a convenient distance from the route.

Building a Trail

There are many resources for building walking and bicycling paths. Below is a list of resources to help you get started.

American Hiking Society
(www.americanhiking.org) has information about funding sources for building hiking trails.

Bicycle Coalition of Maine
(www.BikeMaine.org) advocates bicycling safety, education, and access in Maine. This membership based nonprofit organization also advocates for better walking facilities. Their work focuses on developing safe routes to school, bicycle friendly communities, and better roadways and trails statewide. Their vision is that as a result of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine's work, people living in and visiting Maine will have accessible and safe conditions where they may comfortably and responsibly bicycle and walk. Numerous resources, tips, events, and a bicycling trails database can all be found on their Web site.

Contact:
Jeffrey Miller, Executive Director
Tel: 207-623-4511
E-mail: info@BikeMaine.org

Maine Department of Conservation
(www.maine.gov/doc/parks/) provides technical assistance as well as funding for recreational trails and other recreation facilities for Maine communities.

Contact:
Bud Newell , Manager, Grants & Community Recreation
Tel: 207-287-2163
E-mail: Bud.Newell@Maine.gov

Maine Department of Transportation
(www.maine.gov/mdot/opt/bike/homepage.htm) provides information about bicycle and pedestrian projects in the state. Here you will find information about on-road bicycle routes, trails, and grant programs for building trails.

Contact:
Dan Stewart
Statewide Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator
Office of Passenger Transportation
Tel: 207-624-3252
Fax: 207-624-3251
E-mail: dan.stewart@maine.gov

Maine Physical Activity and Nutrition Program
(http://www.healthymainepartnerships.org/panp) The Maine Physical Activity and Nutrition Program (PANP) coordinates state-wide efforts to support Maine people in achieving recommended levels of physical activity and proper nutrition to prevent overweight and obesity and chronic diseases. Access the Physical Activity and Nutrition Action Packet "Promoting Trail Development and Use of Safe Community Routes for Walking and Biking" on the Web page.

Contact:
Rebecca Drewette-Card, MSPH
Physical Activity Coordinator
Tel: 207-287-5084
Fax: 207-287-4631
Rebecca.DrewetteCard@maine.gov

National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program
(www.nps.gov/rtca/index.html) works with community groups and local and state governments to conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

Contact:
Burnham Martin
Tel: 207-725-4934
E-mail: burnham_martin@nps.gov

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
(www.railtrails.org) Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse provides information about building, designing, and managing multi-use trails. On this site, you will find studies, reports, fact sheets, and free downloadable trail development books. Also available is Trails for the 21st Century, Planning, Design and Management Manual for Multi-Use Trails.

Contact:
Carl Knoch
Tel: 717-238-1717
E-mail: carl@railstotrails.org