This document outlines a framework for shifting trail management discussions from entrenched user conflict to goals-based management. It identifies decades of conflict between various trail user groups and individuals. The current model of focusing on a single user group or prohibiting certain uses has not resolved issues and instead uses data to support each side without progress. The document proposes replacing "problems" with management goals of safety, sustainability, and user satisfaction. It suggests generating solutions based on these goals rather than linking problems to user groups. This shifts responsibility onto individual users to improve their own experience instead of relying on restrictions or other groups. With this framework in place, the community can potentially move past deep-seated conflicts.

1. From Conflict to Goals Using management goals to move beyond user conflict. Developed and presented by Rebecca Mordini Trail Management Consultant

2. Objectives Identify how trail management goals can be used to move beyond entrenched user conflict Provide a visual framework for the shift from conflict to goals that can be used in policy discussions Leave all user groups feeling heard and acknowledged

3. Trail Management Goals Decrease Risk Reduce Erosion Reduce User Conflict

4. Diffuse decades of animosity so that we can move forward with trail management goals and objectives.Shift all conversations

5. Entrenched Conflict Decades of conflict The same individuals involved for 20 to 30 years Personal animosity that goes beyond the issues Players are so identified with their position that they cannot be separated

6. Our Trails Narrow, natural surface trails Grade up to 20% (steep) Multi-use including equestrian, bikes, shuttled bikes, trail runners, hikers, dogs Urban interface area Erosion and maintenance issues Multi-jurisdictional

7. Current Model Focus on a single solution or user group. Prohibit Direction Route Time How? Why? Restrict Bicycles ? Problems Dangerous Cause Damage Bad Experience

8. Current Model Linking problems to user groups Restrict Bicycles ? Dangerous Cause Damage Bad Experience Pro Con Pro Pro Con Con Surprise Near miss fear Few Co High # Speed Narrow Collissions Eyebrows Tread Speed History Single track Other Water Horse Maint Data

9. Current Model Restrict Bicycles ? Dangerous Cause Damage Bad Experience Pro Con Pro Pro Con Con Surprise Near miss fear Few complaints Lots of users Speed Narrow Eyebrows Tread Speed History Single track Water Horses Maint Data is used to support problems Data

10. But over the years data is inconclusive and ends up being used by both “sides”. No progress is made.

12. Restrict Bicycles? Safety Sustainability Satisfaction Dangerous Cause Damage Bad Experience Data bike bells etiquette Solutions trail maintenance restrict bikes safety satisfaction sustainability

13. Management goals replace problems Safety Sustainability Satisfaction Data bike bells Data is used to generate solutions, not problems etiquette Solutions trail maintenance restrict bikes safety satisfaction sustainability

14. User Satisfaction Apex

15. User Satisfaction What would make my trail experience better? Apex

16. Follow-up User driven initiatives based on increased satisfaction User takes responsibility for their own user experience instead of turning to staff or other user groups Does not “solve” user conflict problems, but makes them irrelevant

17. Once a solutions oriented framework is in place, the community can move past entrenched conflict. Email me for more information on how to use this model with your trail user groups. mail@rebeccamordini.com