Trails and Greenways
Trails and greenways provide enjoyable and safe options for transportation, which helps to improve air quality. Additionally, greenways prevent soil erosion and filter pollution caused by agricultural and road runoff, protecting land along rivers and streams and helping to improve water quality. This area contains resources applicable to planning, development, and maintenance of trails, greenways, and natural buffer zones within our parks.
Put Some spring in Your Risk Management Program
Peter Erndwein, Delaware Valley Insurance Trusts
No lawn in shaded areas? Read on.
Rewriting the Woods; Restoring Native Landscapes from Invasive Takeover
Ryan Varner, Northampton Parks and Recreation
Guide to establishing a lawn area.
Overview of Pennsylvania’s Recreational Use of Land and Water Act
Andrew M. Loza and Debra Wolf Goldstein, Esq. (2019). Justin Hollinger, Esq., and Loza updated (2026)
Agencies rights on public Use.
Guidelines for Maintaining Streams in Your Community
PA DEP Pamphlet
Does DEP need to be called before you work in a stream? This pamphlet guides that decision.
Multi-State Study Offers Recommendations for Keeping Bermudagrass Greener All Season
Nick Kordsmeier, Director Arkansas Agricultural Exp. Station
Whether an athletic field, golf course or lawn, a new study provides great tips for keeping turfgrass greener longer. Researchers in six states collaborated to identify three recommendations to extend green color and reduce cold-weather injury in hybrid bermudagrass.
SAMPLE - 10-Year Trail Plan
DE State Parks, 2022
Sample trail plan from a DE state park with estimated 156,890 visitors annually.
SAMPLE - State Park Trail Plan
DE State Parks, 2019
Example trail plan for a DE state park with an estimated 164,000 visitors annually.
Optimizing Tow Plow and Wing Plow Deployment
UC Davis, 2021
Practices Guide is designed to aid state DOTs in determining how and where to deploy various plows and configurations to optimize cost-effectiveness and other efficiencies. This guide
Testing Equipment and Techniques to Reduce Loads on the Stem
Tree Climbing Industry, 2022
This article investigates two different rigging scenarios to better understand how the selection of specific equipment and the use of a strategic limb-removal sequence can affect the load (and subsequent stress) on the stem of the tree being removed.
Landscape and Horticultural Services
US Dept. of Labor, 2022
OSHA website dedicated to safety resources for landscape and horticultural related industries.
What are Permeable Surfaces?
Penn State Extension, 2022
Permeable surfaces are alternatives to typical paving methods that can help to greatly increase infiltration and decrease flooding and run-off issues
Why Should I Care About Invasive Plants?
Mid-west Invasive Plant Council, 2022
This brochure describes how invasive plants impact hunting, fishing, boating, gardening, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and other recreational activities.
Pennsylvania Invasive Species Fact Sheet
Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 2021
The information presented here is based on recent Center for Rural Pennsylvania research, legislative hearings,and correspondence with government and community partners. Invasive species affect a wide range of industriesincluding, but not limited to, agriculture, hardwoods/forestry, outdoor recreation, and tourism.
Pollinator-Friendly Parks
Xerces Society, 2021
The goal of this publication is to provide helpful information so parks can be planned and managed with pollinators and other insects in mind.
Best Management Practices (BMPs) forBee Health in the Horticultural Industry
Horticultural Research Institute, 2017
While the green industry is diverse, some common threads exist among greenhouse and nursery production and landscape management when pollinator safety is concerned.
