Bob’s Trails, Trees, & Gardens

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Talk to Bob. He loves to talk trails.

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About

Bob Richards developed a passion for nature and trails early in his childhood where the “woods” were at the end of the street six houses away. His passion grew in the Boy Scouts where he earned the 200 miler merit badge. His achievement included hiking 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Bob graduated with a B. S. in Forestry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus.

After college Bob joined the State of Tennessee first at Falls Creek Falls State Park, then at Savage Gulf Natural Area. He built 100+ miles of hiking trails, 12 backcountry campsites, three major trailhead areas, and was part of the team acquiring over 6,600 acres of land.

Since then, Bob has worked with local, state and federal agencies, and non-profit groups on greenway and trail design, development, operations, management and maintenance. This includes parks and recreation facilities and natural resource management. His responsibilities included federal Recreational Trails Program oversight, managing state and federal grant programs with development of grant applications, preparing budgets and project scopes, project management and onsite inspections of grant projects. He oversaw $20 million in grant funds awarded, contracts executed, and projects either completed or under way.

Bob is recognized for his creative ideas when developing partnerships in order to find funding for park and trail projects.

Bob is a small business owner doing private garden and tree projects. He is certified as a Master Trail Builder by Trail Design Specialists, Inc., a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP), and has been a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI). He is an experienced trainer for trail construction and maintenance workshops and develops trail assessment and maintenance plans.

Knowledgeable in the 2013 Final Accessibility Guideline requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Outdoor Developed Areas and Trails, Bob provides guidance and on site assistance for facility compliance.

Download Bob's resumé.

Resources from Bob

Bob Richards has a vast knowledge of trail building and greenways. He’s seen trails that have survived the test of time and others that needed reconstruction and asset replacements. This page has references for Tennessee Trails and trail building. Bob enjoys sharing his knowledge with trail beginners and veterans. Send him a message, and he’ll be glad to discuss your project.

Websites relating to Tennessee Trails & Hiking

Trail Building Guides and Information

Trails, Parks, and Clubs


Hiking Clubs


Federal Agencies


State Agencies


Local Park Systems