Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails

• Maintenance is the routine or periodic repair of existing trails or trail segments to restore them to the standards or conditions to which they were originally designed and built. Maintenance does not change the original purpose, intent, or function for which the trail was designed. Trail maintenance work isn't covered by the FSTAG. Maintenance includes:

  • Removing debris and vegetation, such as fallen trees or broken branches on the trails, clearing the trail of encroaching brush or grasses, and removing rock slides

  • Maintaining trail tread, such as filling ruts, reshaping a trail bed, repairing a trail surface or washouts, installing riprap to retain cut and fill slopes, and constructing retaining walls or cribbing to support trail tread

  • Performing erosion control and drainage work, such as replacing or installing drainage dips or culverts, and realigning sections of trail to prevent erosion or to avoid boggy areas

  • Repairing or replacing deteriorated, damaged, or vandalized trail or trailhead structures or parts of structures, including sections of bridges, boardwalks, information kiosks, fencing, and railings; painting; and removing graffiti

While FSTAG doesn't apply to maintenance, Forest Service policy is to improve accessibility wherever the opportunity arises, including during trail maintenance and repair activities. Every time a trail is maintained, there is an opportunity to improve access.