4 Trails Structures the Citywide Trails Team installs to Make NYC Trails More Accessible

By Gabriel Cummings, Trails Technical Manager 

& Josh Otero, Trails Program Manager

Since 2015, NYC Parks and the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) have partnered on the Citywide Trails Program to formalize and improve over 217 miles of natural areas trails throughout NYC parkland and to improve trail conditions across all five boroughs. The goal for the program is to fully formalize an approximately 275 mile network of trails in over 60 parks citywide. The Citywide Trails Team envisions a network of trails that inspire and provide an opportunity for New Yorkers to have a deeper connection with the diversity of nature that NYC natural areas have to offer. This valuable partnership continues to expand its work towards achieving the vision of a healthy, accessible, and enjoyable trail experience for all New Yorkers. 

What exactly does it mean to formalize nature trails? In addition to pruning vegetation from within the trail corridor and closing desire lines, the Citywide Trails Team utilizes four main trail structures to make these natural areas more accessible. Read on below for an overview of each type, and how we go about installing them on the trail.    

The top 4 trails structures we install in NYC natural areas

Check Steps

Installing check steps

Purpose: Check steps are timber or rock structures that are installed on steep slopes to mitigate erosion, improve the grade, retain sediment and provide a more navigable route for hikers.

Installation Process: 

1. Assess project location to determine location of structure(s) and site conditions
2. Prep materials – rock or timber pending availability of material on site, project design and/or budget
3. Flag structure installation location(s) and excavate for setting of structure
4. Install timber or rock steps
5. Tamp everything down
6. Set with rock or install rebar (as prescribed)
7. Naturalize areas off of the trail by decompacting soil and placing coarse woody debris 
8. Test it out!

Puncheon

Installing puncheon

Purpose: Puncheons are low lying walkways used to cross muddy, or flooded areas. They also serve as short stream crossings. 

Installation Process: 

1. Assess project location to determine placement of structure and site conditions
2. Prepare timber
3. Flag structure installation location(s)
4. Excavate for setting of structure
5. Install mud sills and tamp/compact soil around foundation 
6. Set stringers, which is the timber that runs parallel to the structure atop the mudsills where the decking will be fastened
7. Ensure everything is level, then fasten stringers
8. Fasten decking
9. Test it out!

Turnpike

Installing turnpike

Purpose: A turnpike serves a function similar to a puncheon by raising the walking surface or the tread out of low-lying muddy or flooded areas. The difference is, a turnpike is composed of a timber or rock frame, within which a layer of crushed rock and mineral soil are compacted. The tread surface is tamped down to form an arc so water can shed off of the structure.

Installation Process:: 

1. Assess project location to determine location of structure and site conditions
2. Prep timber or rock pending availability of material on site, project design and/or budget
3. Flag structure installation location(s)
4. Excavate for setting of structure
5. Install frame/foundation, including fastening or setting with large rock
6. Tamp/compact soil around foundation
7. Infill with a layer of medium size rock, small rock, then mineral soil 
8. Tamp/compact mineral soil in shape of upside down U
9. Dig gullies on both sides of structure, if needed
10. Test it out!

Water bars

Installing water bar

Purpose: Water bars are timber or rock structures that reinforce an earthen structure called a drainage dip. The function of a water bar is to support the drainage dip in redirecting water off of the trail, especially on steeper slopes, in order to mitigate erosion.

Installation Process:

1. Assess project location to determine location of structure(s) and site conditions
2. Prep materials – rock or timber pending availability of material on site, project design and/or budget
3. Flag structure installation location(s)
4. Excavate for setting of structure
5. Install timber or rock water bar
6. Tamp everything down, fasten materials (if needed)
7. Construct drainage dip on uphill side of structure
8. Construct outlet drain
9. Naturalize areas off of the trail
10. Test it out!

Are you interested in improving your local NYC trail? Join our Super Steward Trail Maintainer Program to receive advanced trails training. If you are a current NYC Parks, non-profit, or conservancy practitioner, we encourage you to join our Trails Technique Training during Climate Week from September 22 to 29. Get in touch to sign up!