Services
Trail Design and Route Marketing
Trail design is the most significant factor needed to have a sustainable, low maintenance trail. Bob has over 48 years of trail design and construction experience and notable early projects include the backcountry trail systems at Savage Gulf State Natural Area (50 miles) and Fall Creek Falls State Park (25 miles), as well as 200+ miles of trails in other Tennessee state and local park trails...
While there are technical rules to follow to layout a trail, getting to know and understand the landscape of the property is an essential part of the design work. While there are a number of possibilities for a trail route, the trail MUST blend into and become a part of the fabric of the landscape! This is what Bob can do for your property or park.
Trail Construction
The most recent trail construction project (2022) was the 0.80 mile trail at Aspire Park in Clinton, TN. This is a Green (easy) trail designed for Shared Use. This was a combination machine build and hand finish project...
Another recent project (2022) was a trail design/route marking project on a 100 acre property in Sevier County, TN. This project included two loop trails totaling about 1.6 miles long.
The 2017 trail design and route marking project was with the town of Thompsons Station, at the 207 acre Preservation Park property. Two trails totaling 2.1 miles were marked in March, 2017. Please see the presentation on this project details
In the past 17 years, Bob's Trails design projects include the 2006 Beaman Park trail reroute project (0.8 mile), the 2007 Henry Hollow Creek trail bridge project (56 feet long), the 2009 Sedge Ridge Trail (0.6 mile) and the 2010 accessible trail project funded with a three year grant through the federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This project included a 350 linear foot by 6 ft. wide accessible boardwalk and another 0.25 miles of hard surfaced trails.
Grants
There are numerous grants to apply for to help fund park and recreation and greenway and trails facilities. These grants can be small or large, but each grant program has its specific requirements to be able to secure the funding. All grant programs have applications so the earlier you can secure the grant application, the more time you have to be able to create or acquire the needed information...
From 2005 -2016, Bob worked for the TN Dept. of Environment and Conservation, Recreation Educational Services Division as the TN Greenways and Trails Coordinator. He was on the team scoring and evaluating hundreds of grant applications. He understands what it takes to score points in each of the scoring criteria.
With all grant programs, the requirements for state and federal funding are different. Federal programs have more involved National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements as well as eligibility for different portions of the project process.
Most communities will allow for the state funded, Local Park and Recreation Fund, (LPRF) which is a 50% grant, 50% matching funds program. Eligible project include both indoor and outdoor recreation facilities as well as land acquisition for new parks.
Another popular grant program is the federal funded, Recreational Trails Program (RTP). This is an 80% grant with a 20% matching funds program which provides funds for new trail construction, trail maintenance, and new trailhead and trailside amenities.
If you have a project that needs funding, check with Bob to see which program might be best to leverage your local funding.
Gardens
Residential Garden
The gardens and landscaping pictured below were created in Nashville, Tennessee
Recent Projects
Historic Rugby Trailhead Kiosk Project
Carter County Strategic Recreational Plan
Bob's Trails, Trees and Gardens has partnered with Alpha Trace Consulting to produce the Carter County Strategic Recreation Plan, a 5 year plan to guide maintenance and new capital projects in Carter County and it's communities.
Carter County Parks & Recreation Board - Strategic Recreation Plan
Watch Bob's Video on Trail Building
Testimonials
“Mr. Richards has been an invaluable resource for our firm at TDEC, and has given guidance and assistance in varying stages of grant development. His help involving the NEPA review process was critical in getting the review completed in a timely and comprehensive way. Bob is willing to offer assistance in any way he can, and he is an excellent colleague and friend. He truly cares about making a positive impact on communities in Tennessee, and his knowledge on Trail & Greenway systems is unmatched. Bob is a great communicator, and is willing to go above and beyond his job description to make a project go.”
“Bob has demonstrated strong skills in moderation of a statewide greenways and trails advocacy group. He has shown tireless concern for Tennessee’s counties both large and small and has responded quickly to local needs as they have arisen. His ability to communicate effectively in large and small group setting is well proven.”
“ It's rare that someone has as much knowledge and experience about greenways and trails like Bob. When it comes to greenways in the State of Tennessee, Bob is our go-to guy on any state or federal greenway issue. His knowledge base and experience in his position as TN Greenways and Trails Program Coordinator has been helpful to us as a firm providing greenway planning and design services on several projects since 2011. We always look to include Bob as a technical advisor on any TN park and greenway project. Of particular note was Bob's ability to provide insight into a phasing plan for the Yanahli Park Master Plan to best position the project for funding.”
“Bob is passionate about his work and it come through in the way he treated us. Our small little Parks and Recreation Department was just as important as the large metro areas. His attention to detail and knowledge of the processes where extremely helpful along the way. Bob was a valuable resource for my staff and I while I was Director of Parks and Recreations for the City of Mt. Juliet. I look forward to working with Bob in the future.”
“Bob Richards is a great help to Greenways for Nashville volunteering his personal time to help our program with TrailWatch and other greenways efforts. Bob does a great job promoting us, along with other trail organizations throughout the state, with the connectwithtn.com website. I know when Greenways needs a hand, he will be there. ”
“I have worked with Bob Richards, our TN State Greenways and Trails Coordinator, in a number of capacities, including planning the American Trails Conference in 2010 and continuing efforts to promote and protect Tennessee's trails and natural and built resources. Bob is a dedicated, committed professional in all ways. ”
“Bob is a wealth of information about best management practices for parks and trails, and he generously shares his extensive knowledge. His advice ranges from big picture, long-range planning to practical, on-the-ground implementation. He is responsive and accessible, making time to answer every question and even offering kind words of encouragement when projects experience frustrating delays or problems. Bob is usually the first person I call for advice. ”