Mahoosuc Land Trust (MLT)

Trail Signs and Amenities Plan

April 30, 2007

Purpose:

To provide trail sign and amenities guidelines for a coordinated system of trails on land owned and managed by the Mahoosuc Land Trust (MLT), including trails developed by their Bethel Area Trails Committee. Benefits of such a plan include providing:

• Clear navigational and safety aides on trails for visitors
• Professional and consistent look-and-feel to trails
• Standardized approach to signs and amenities for trail project teams
• Opportunity to enhance recognition of sponsoring organizations and businesses

Background: This plan grew out of a need for a sign and amenities plan for BAT Tier I trails being built. It was suggested the sign plan be expanded to include other trails and properties in which MLT has an interest.

Target audience for signage:

Town residents and visitors involved with a variety of activities including: walking, biking, jogging, pushing child carriages, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, paddling, and driving by. Typical user needs will be explored in conversations within the committee and with trail users. Management needs will be discussed with the town manager, business, and other town stakeholders.

Scope and Approach

This plan lays out general guidelines applicable to both in-town and out-of-town MLT trails. Guidelines will first be provided for the simplest sign types and amenities, followed by the more complex.

Once general guidelines are agreed upon by key stakeholders, the plan will exist as a reference document for future projects. Planning and implementation of signs/amenities will be phased in on a project-by-project basis. The plan can be revisited if significant changes are required.

High-level criteria for the signage:

• Keep signs simple, bold, and clear.
• Coordinate approach with other interested parties.
• Follow ordinances or work to change them. Use federal/state sign standards and best practices as guidelines
• Look for opportunities to promote local services and businesses
• Share credit. Use MLT, Town of Bethel, and other logos as appropriate.
• Keep signs to the minimum needed to do the job intended to avoid “over-signing”

Branding and identity:

MLT Logo: There are no guidelines on the use of the MLT logo at the time this plan was drafted. The MLT Stewardship committee wishes to use the MLT logo and other organizations’ logos, as appropriate, to indicate that they are involved in supporting the trail in some way. MLT would like to have its logo more visible so that its “brand” is more broadly known and connected to good projects in the community. MLT is a regional logo.

Any group that manages a trail may have its logo included on a sign.

BAT: A separate, graphic BAT logo is deemed unnecessary by the committee because it is part of the land trust.

Recommendation: In-town hard-surface trails be named Bethel Pathway and informational signs include the Bethel Town logo, as appropriate. The pathway signs are currently referred to by three different names (Davis Park Recreational Pathway, Bethel Pathway, and Bethel Recreational Pathway.) The objective is to be clear and consistent in the naming. Whether or not existing signs should be changed to align with the name Bethel Pathway is something we will need to address.

Trail sign types and purposes

· Informational: Identify and describe trails. Provide clear transitions between municipal and non-municipal trails. Promote safe and appropriate use of trails. Protect the natural environment from certain behaviors. Point out nearby support facilities.

Ø Examples: Name, length, destination of trail. Map of trail. Direction/distance to nearby lodging, restaurants. Types of users for whom trail is intended. Request users use trash receptacles and pack out what they bring in.

· Interpretive: Educate users about sites, views, or environmental elements.

Ø Examples: Historical information on sites, bridges, regional themes of interest.

· Promotional: Acknowledge local donors, businesses, tourist sites, and sponsorship by nonprofit organizations.

· Regulatory: Advise users of mandatory or prohibited activities, per state or local regulations.

Ø Example: No motorized vehicles allowed.

· Warning: promote safety by warning of hazards, grade changes, etc.

Trail signs are typically located at the trailhead, intersection of trails, and intermediate points along the trail. They are also at intersections where public roads are near trails or cross trails.

Funding and materials

Funding will be required for sign printing and installation. Standard signage may be available from town government or other recreational organizations. Local businesses may be able to help for material cost. If individual business signage is allowed, businesses should be willing to pay for it.

The MLT Stewardship Committee will take responsibility for budgeting for and overseeing the implementation of signs and amenities on trails managed by MLT. BAT will coordinate with MLT Stewardship and the municipality on budgeting and implementation of signs/amenities on in-town trails. See the Bethel Area Trail Plan for details on project management of BAT trails.

Implementation

A schedule for sign creation and installation will be developed on a project-by-project basis by the responsible BAT Trail project team or MLT Stewardship Committee.

Maintenance

Periodic monitoring of signs and amenities will be required. A plan and budget for repair, replacement, or addition of signs over time will be needed. An agreement with Bethel town officials is needed to clarify roles and responsibilities.

Inventory of Existing Signs and Amenities (January 2007)

See Appendix A

Guidance on Trail Sign Design
We need to be sure to check with the MDOT Right of Way Office regarding regulations pertaining to directional signs and their placement in public rights of way.

See Appendix B – Specifications for Informational Signs

Guidance on Installation and Maintenance

To be supplied

Guidance on Amenities

See Appendix C

Appendix A:

Inventory of Existing Signs and Amenities (January 2007)

Roadside signs, although beyond the scope of the trail plan, are included in this inventory for the following reasons: (a) we may want to work with the Chamber of Commerce to add signs directing people to trailheads, and (b) the inventory shows just how many signs people are asked to focus on, which serves as a reminder why we should keep them to the minimum necessary to do the job on the trail.

A. Bethel Area Trails (BAT): in-town trails

Location	Maintained/owned by	Existing signs	Comments
Davis Park		See list below

1. “Davis Park Playground-Picnic Area Recreational Pathway”

2-sided, graphic with heron, includes canoeing symbol, mounted high on 2 posts. Located between Rt. 26 and low fence by parking lot.

2. “Please no pets or smoking on playground”

Mounted on playground chain-link fence.

3. Wooden kiosk. 2-sided, small roof. Small container for leaflets. Located near canoe launch.

4. “Historic Village – Bethel – Shops & Services”

1-sided (?), mounted high on single post. Located on your right as you’re approaching intersection of Rt. 26 and Parkway from the South.

5. Tables and benches – need to put in detail, especially for benches along the trail.

Intersection Rt. 26 and Intervale Rd.

See list below

1. “Welcome to Bethel” & “Thanks for visiting. Please come again.”

2-sided, mounted high on two posts. Located on North side of intersection between Rt. 26 and Intervale Road.

2. Signpost mounted on 2 posts – Shows either 3 or 4 signs, depending on your direction.

Ø As seen going South on Rt. 26: Three (3) signs

“Intervale Road / Carter’s XC Ski Resort / Swallow Song Farm ~7mi.”

Ø As seen going North on Rt. 26 – Four (4) signs

“Intervale Road / Carter’s XC Ski Resort / Autrey’s ATVs & Hobbies / Swallow Song Farm ~7mi.”

3. Two signs same location – just past intersection and before Alder River guard rail starts.

Ø “Parkway” sign – Mounted on same post with triangular, right-turn traffic sign.

Ø Sign with multiple symbols for recreation and services.

Bethel Pathway Parking / Recreational Bridge

See list below

1. “Bethel Pathway Parking”

1-sided, graphic with heron, mounted on 2 posts. Installed at front of parking area on Rt. 2

2. Temporary snowmobile signs leading from pathway parking sign to the recreational bridge: “Please stay on marked trail,” Stop.” There are caution chevrons for the curve under the Route 2 bridge beside the river. There are others on the North side of the bridge running alongside Big Adventure. We will need to walk (or otherwise travel) all the trails to be sure all the appropriate features are noted.

It may be in the mutual interest of MLT and the snowmobile club to get more permanent versions of these temporary signs put in place.

North Road & Rt. 2 intersection

1. “North Road / Bethel Airport / Crocker Pond B&B, Big Adventure Center”

2-sided, three signs mounted high on two posts.

2. United Methodist Church, SAD #44 – separate sign next to #1.

3. Big Adventure – second Big sign, lower, installed in grassy area behind sign #1.

B. Other MLT areas and trails of interest:

Trail	Owned by	Existing signs	Comments
Androscoggin Canoe trail		has some signs	Existing signs could be augmented
Puzzle Mountain	MLT	has an entry sign miles from the road	Could use more in the way of signs, identification of MLT role.
Various MLT properties (DEFINE)	MLT	signs at entry points	Add trail signs?
Intervale Gateway	MLT	None	BAT Tier I trail planned. Needs signs, high visibility. Possible site for interpretive sign.
Frenchman’s Hole	State	No trails. An identification marker exists.	Improved signs could highlight MLT role in managing this state-owned property.
Sunday River Inn	MLT has an easement	Ski trails and signs are on the Williamson property	Place MLT awareness signs there?
Rumford Whitecap	Project not complete		Will need signs. Explain the MLT role.

Appendix B:

Specifications for Informational Signs

We need to check with the MDOT Right of Way Office regarding regulations pertaining to directional signs and their placement in public rights of way.

Trailhead kiosk for major trailheads (parking for 10 cars or more)

• Purpose: to provide detailed information about the immediate trail network, other trail opportunities in the area, and background about the trails and the organizations that plan and manage them.
• Kiosk design similar to the one currently used in Davis Park.
• Contents, behind Plexiglas panel and available for changing when information changes or paper becomes weathered:
1. Map of the trail network associated with the trailhead.
2. Map of trails in the greater Bethel area (trailhead parking locations).
3. Trail user etiquette reminders.
4. Trail use regulations, if necessary and available.
5. Recognition of trail contributors.
6. Recognition of trail managing, maintaining, and planning agencies.
7. Information about local services – business listings (if permitted in local ordinances).
8. Information about what to do in an emergency.
9. Information about where to get more information (Chamber of Commerce, Mahoosuc Land Trust, USFS office).
10. Information about whom to contact for suggestions or to report problems related to the trail.
11. Information about joining and/or donating to MLT.

Specifications for all trail information signs:

• Material – probably aluminum, medium weight, check with sign maker.
• Colors – forest green background with white lettering, the opposite of MLT boundary signs. This color plan will allow use of standard white sign blanks.
• Size – sizes will vary according to text size and volume, but plan to use stock sign blank sizes to minimize costs.
• Mounting – mostly on pressure treated 4x4 wood posts, but steel U-channel posts possible for some locations.
• Location – depends on sign type.
• Font – Sans serif such as Helvetica, size to vary depending on use.
• Logos – can be included for group(s) that manage any given trail

Roadside signs for trail parking areas:

• Purpose: signal the location of the trailhead and parking area, plus raise general awareness of the trail among passers-by.
• Content: Trail name on first line, “Parking” on the second line.
• Location: immediately beside an entry point to the trailhead parking area, mounted to maximize sight distance, visible from both directions.
• Size: Sized to accommodate 3.75 inch upper case and 2.5 inch lower case letters (optional 6 inch upper case and 4 inch lower case letters on higher speed roads).
• For special consideration: There are already trailhead parking signs at both ends of the Bethel Recreational Pathway, with a consistent look. As an alternative, other trailhead signs could adopt a similar look, which would make the trailhead markers consistent, but unique in the world of trailhead markers.

Roadside signs for trail crossings but no parking

• Purpose: to broaden awareness of trail system among passers-by.
• Content: trail name on one line.
• Location: immediately beside trail junction with road.
• Size: sized to accommodate 3.75 inch upper case and 2.5 inch lower case letters.

Roadside advance warning of trailheads

• Purpose: to alert drivers that the trailhead is just ahead, where useful.
• Content: trail name, distance to trailhead, arrow indicating which side of the road.
• Location: about one-quarter of a mile before trailhead located as specified by MDOT.
• Size: size, color, and font will follow MDOT regulations.

Trail entry points:

• Purpose: to indicate a trail entry location and orient users.
• Content: Trail name on one line, trail destinations, distances, and direction arrows on individual lines.
• Location: At a convenient and visible location close to the start of the trail.
• Size: sized to accommodate 1.5 inch upper case and 1 inch lower case letters.

Trail etiquette signs:

• Purpose: to remind users in a friendly, positive way about safe and appropriate behavior on a multiple use trail.
• Content: brief, bulleted, positive, high-priority messages.
• Location: usually on the same post as the trail entry sign, posted below it.
• Size: sized to accommodate 1 inch upper case and .67 inch lower case letters.

Trail intersection direction signs:

• Purpose: to orient and direct trail users at trail intersections away from trailheads.
• Content: Trail name on one line, trail destinations, distances, and direction arrows on individual lines.
• Location: at a convenient, safe, and visible location beside the intersection with post oriented to allow posting signs on different sides to align with the intersecting trails.
• Size: sized to accommodate 1 inch upper case and .67 inch lower case letters.

Traffic signs for bicycles and snowmobiles (and ATVs where permitted):

• Purpose: to provide safety directions to higher speed trail users, making use of standards for traditional auto traffic guidance.
• Follow MUTCD chapter for bicycle facilities and/or snowmobile sign guidelines found in the Maine Trails Manual for size, shape, color and content. Signs should be reflective for night visibility. The main difference between the MUTCD and snowmobile guidelines is size. The smaller sizes called for by the snowmobile trail guidelines are readily available as stock signs from some manufacturers.

Regulatory signs

• Purpose: If problems develop along the trails that need law enforcement response and if the problem activity is addressed in an ordinance, that ordinance may need to be posted at trailheads. It may be sufficient to summarize and refer to the ordinance or it may be necessary to quote it, depending on advice from law enforcement personnel and legal counsel. If reference is made to the full ordinance it may be posted in full in the kiosk. This would be a solution of last resort and not a technique to use in the absence of a problem.

Appendix C:

Guidance on Amenities

Toilet facilities

Sanitary facilities may become important as the trail system gets longer and trail users spend more time on it. At present the town provides a portable toilet at Davis Park during warm weather. This may be sufficient for the time being. MLT will need to evaluate the need for more toilets periodically and weigh the benefits against the cost and responsibility for maintaining them

• Location: Toilets should be located where they are accessible by vehicle for servicing, typically near trailheads.

· Specifications: Traditional single user outhouse type facilities should be sufficient. Portable toilets are usually leased and generally come with service agreements. This makes them convenient and economical. A step up would be a modern vault toilet which is fairly low maintenance and vandal resistant. The US Forest Service has developed a design for “sweet smelling toilets”, also known as SSTs, which perform well. This type of toilet is available commercially in a variety of architectural designs. Toilets with plumbing would only be appropriate in association with a larger center, probably heated and staffed year-round. Toilets will need to conform to local code and zoning regulations. All toilets should be fully accessible.

• Special considerations: Permanent toilets are expensive to install. They need both daily maintenance to make them reasonable to use and periodic pumping to be environmentally safe. An alternative to constructing a permanent toilet is directing visitors to existing public facilities. For new toilets, it would be beneficial to partner with other organizations and municipal government.

Trash disposal

Our throw-away society generates plenty of waste, even on trails. However, trash cans at trailheads are a large maintenance responsibility, may attract trash from other than trail users, and become very unattractive if not maintained. The recommendation is to use “carry in, carry out” messages in their place.

• Location: Signs will be located at trailheads.
• Specifications: Carry in, carry out signs should be consistent with other informational signs, as described in the sign plan.

Parking

Off-street parking will be necessary in some locations where on-street parking would pose safety concerns or a nuisance for neighbors.

• Size: Size will depend partly on land ownership and terrain limitations. Otherwise, planners should look at use of other parking areas and on-street parking to attempt to judge current demand for parking at trailheads. Trails for the Twenty-First Century recommends a total size of 300 to 350 square feet of land for each car a lot will accommodate. This figure includes parking and circulation areas. They note that a standard size car requires about 144 square feet for a parking space.
• Location: Parking will be located where feasible and needed.
• Specifications: Parking areas should be designed to minimize their immediate impact and effect on run-off. MLT should work with local engineers to determine best practices. MLT should consider showcasing environmentally friendly approaches such as permeable surface paving. See Trails for the Twenty-First Century for size and design specifications for various configurations of parking areas.
• Special considerations: Note that a space for disabled visitors should be included in every parking area. It will be necessary to check with municipal officials regarding zoning and environmental regulations related to parking.

Benches

Benches can serve many purposes including as a resting place for folks who get tired on the trail; as a place to enjoy the surroundings; as a place to stop and eat during a lunch break walk; or as a place to sit and read or talk quietly.

• Location: Benches should be located at attractive locations and at least three feet from the trail to allow for safe passage. Selection of a variety of locations offering shade and sun can allow comfortable sitting for more months of the year.
• Specifications: Use similar benches to those already placed along the Bethel Recreational Pathway. Google “park benches” to see vendors and many designs. Any model selected should be sturdy and vandal resistant.

Fences

Fences are generally unnecessary along trails. However, they may be helpful to separate trail users from steep grades. They also are useful to guide people to stay on the trail when crossing private property.

• Location: Fences should be located in areas with side slopes of 1:3 or steeper unless there is a minimum five foot separation between the trail and the head of the slope according to the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. Privacy fences should be located as necessary to address landowner concerns. In either case, fences should be a minimum of two feet from the trail and ideally will be located three or more feet away.

· Specifications: Fencing should be similar to split rail fences currently used on the Bethel Recreational Pathway. Fencing should be no longer than necessary to accomplish its purpose.

• Special considerations: For landowner privacy concerns, consider trail borders of dense vegetation as an attractive alternative to fencing.

Plantings

Plantings of ornamental flowers can make trails more attractive and provide a stewardship opportunity for individuals. Plantings of native vegetation may add an educational component to trail use. Dense plantings of bushes can provide a subtle border to the trail and privacy to adjacent landowners. Plantings of trees can add beauty and shade to a trail.

• Location: Location will vary depending on the purpose and type of planting. Typically, ornamental flower plantings will be located at or near trailheads where they can be tended.
• Specifications: Specifications will depend on the nature and purpose of the planting.
• Special considerations: Ornamental flower plantings will need regular tending during the growing season. This can provide an opportunity for a group or individual to volunteer for a community service/betterment project. If we seek municipal or state help with plant maintenance along trails and roadways, we need to check with these offices to see what plants they are willing to maintain.

Monuments and memorials

MLT, other organizations, or individuals may wish to place a memorial or monument along a trail to recognize benefactors or perhaps deceased people who appreciated the trail or area. Consideration should be given to asking people to create memorials by contributing towards trail amenities, such as a bench or tree, which could have a small plaque attached or placed nearby.

• Size: Memorial plaques should be large enough to be noticed but small enough not to intrude on the setting. A maximum size of six inches across should be sufficient.
• Location: Memorial plaques should be placed on trail amenities in visible locations.
• Specifications: MLT may wish to develop specifications for plaques. For instance, addressing materials and how much text to include.
• Special considerations: The MLT will need to decide how to handle memorial plaques on trail amenities that will wear out. Would it be useful to ask for an endowment to replace the amenities?

Picnic tables

Picnic tables in attractive settings along trails can invite people to linger and enjoy a spot.

• Size: Eight foot long picnic tables, with one end overhanging to make it accessible by people using wheelchairs, should be used along in-town trails.
• Location: Picnic tables should be located at scenic spots and set back from the trail. The location needs to be accessible by pick-up truck to facilitate delivery, maintenance, and eventual removal. Picnic tables should be located at least four feet from the trail for safety and circulation around the table.
• Specifications: Tables should be built using rot-resistant wood and constructed strongly enough to resist vandalism. They can usually be purchased locally, or can be built by volunteers. Google “picnic table designs” for free designs including dimensions and building directions.

Art

Art, usually sculpture, but sometimes temporary exhibits or performances, can beautify a trail, add interest to it, and sometimes provide an educational function.

• Size: Size of art installations is usually determined by the artist and the sponsoring organization. Size is also very dependent on the setting for the installation.
• Location: Art installations are located by agreement between the artist and sponsoring organization. Permanent installations should be located at least three feet from the trail for safety.
• Specifications: Specifications are developed by the sponsoring organization.
• Special considerations: It will be necessary to check with municipal officials regarding zoning and environmental regulations related to permanent installations.

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