Michigan Mountain Biking Association

The MMBA/REI Trail Building School was developed in response to the demand for a uniform standard for multi-use non-motorized trails in the state of Michigan. Public land is administered by agencies whose resources are increasingly strained, yet whose mission is constantly expanding. Parterships with volunteer stakeholder groups are a viable solution, but only if the work is performed to acceptable standards, and an ongoing commitment ensures a stable relationship. The MMBA program uses memoranda of understanding, formal project proposals, recognized standards, and field-trained volunteers to supply the workforce to carry trails projects from concept to completion. Park personnel work directly with the designated MMBA Trail Coordinator, who expedites the details, supervising the trained Volunteers and Crew Chiefs, drawn from the MMBA’s statewide base of over 2,000 members.

About the training curriculum
"Trails 101: Trail Worker," is a 1-day introduction to safe and effective use of hand tools to create and maintain trails under the direct supervision of an MMBA-trained Crew Chief. The second 1-day course, "Trails 102: Crew Chief," teaches the skills to direct the work of a group of 4-6 volunteer Trail Workers, executing a plan under the supervision of park personnel or MMBA Trail Coordinator. "Trails 201: Trail Coordinator" is a 2-day course that teaches the skills to plan, present, secure approval, construct and maintain multi-use trails.

Each course is a prerequisite for the next, and features a classroom session, printed materials, discussion, group activities, safety training, and practice sessions. The practice is conducted on a working trail system, where the work done during training will permanently benefit that trail. The park personnel of the host venue actively participate, and gain valuable insight into working with stakeholder groups.

Testimonials
The MMBA Southeast Chapter was given the MRPA’s Community Service Award in January 2004 for its work at Novi’s Lakeshore Park. This park was the site of the pilot version of the Trail Coordinator Training in April of 2003.

There is now an MMBA forum dedicated to discussing all aspects of the Trail School.

An REI Outdoor Recreation Grant award of $4,000 by Recreational Equipment Inc. allows the MMBA to issue training materials, tools, and safety gear to each “graduate.”

The MMBA Trail Building School has been featured in the Michigan Environmental Council’s "MEC Report."

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Trail building links

National Mountain Bicycling Strategic Action Plan (2002) U.S. Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 39 p. Full-featured model of a large-scale strategic planning document from the landowning agency perspective. Useful glossary and appendices.

Wetland Trail Design and Construction (2004) U.S. Federal Highway Administration. Practical discussion of materials and techniques.

Oregon Statewide Trails Inventory Project (2004) Prepared for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department by Michael G. Wing, Oregon State University. 186 p. Example of a wide-scope statewide trails inventory-- includes water trails. Good source for methodology and documentation.