The Sonoma County Trails Council (SCTC), a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is available as a resource to local agencies, private businesses and contractors for trail design, construction and maintenance on trails with public access. The SCTC performs all trail work following best practices and protocols as defined in the California State Parks Trails Manual. Our services include, but not limited to:

A. Trail Planning- Map new, rerouted and existing trails via GPS and GIS interface. Flagging and defining the trail corridor based on minor and major control points and client needs. All SCTC trails are designed using California State Parks protocols focusing on sustainable curvilinear alignments and resource protection.

B. Construction Preparation- Clear trail corridor of vegetation and obstacles using volunteer and paid crew members. Work will be performed chiefly with hand tools.

C. Trail Construction- Construct unsurfaced, sustainable trails from groundbreaking to completion using volunteer and paid crew members. Crews of up to 40 volunteers work with quality hand tools to bench, shape and outslope new trail tread following best management practices as defined in the California State Parks Trails Manual. Depending on client and project needs, trails can range from narrow footpaths to shared-use trails up to 40″ wide.

D. Trail & Tread Maintenance- Provide an array of maintenance to trails including: slough, berm, brush removal (trio maintenance); tree and limb removal; water issues (rolling dips, reverse grades); sensitive habitat protection (elevated tread- causeways, drainage lens, turnpikes); stream crossings (rock and material armoring, open rock culverts, footpath stone crossings); retaining walls; turnouts and landings.

E. Project Consulting- Identify problematic areas and provide solution oriented answers.

Please note that the client will be responsible for obtaining materials required for projects; the SCTC may facilitate delivery, but generally will not make the actual purchases.

Fees for Services

Planning and Mapping (crew of 2-3 for fieldwork; per person for computer work):

• $100/hr

Construction and Maintenance (based on a 7 hr. workday; distance of new construction completed, averaged at 750 ft./day)

• $750/workday (crew size of 15 or fewer)
• $1250/workday (crew size of 16-40)

Project Consulting:

• $100/hr