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Editor's note: Christopher Douwes has been a tremendous asset to the nationwide trails community in his role as head of the Recreational Trails Program, and more recently, Transportation Enhancements. Christopher is also a Patron Member of American Trails.
Christopher B. Douwes: Biography
Christopher Douwes
Christopher Douwes tries out an alternate mode of transportation
at a park along the Four Mile Run and Washington & Old Dominion
Trails, Arlington VA (photo by Stuart Macdonald, June 2006)
Title: Trails and Enhancements Program Manager
Hometown: Brookfield CT, now Fairfax VA
Education:
- 1990: Master of Science in Transportation, Northwestern University
- 1982: BA in Regional Science, University of Pennsylvania
- 1978: Brookfield High School, Brookfield CT.
Work Responsibilities: I enjoy managing the Recreational Trails Program (since its inception in 1992) and the Transportation Enhancement Activities (since 2003), and assisting with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program (since 1992). I manage contracts for research, technology development, technical assistance, and training for trail-related activities, working with Federal Land Management Agencies, trail advocacy organizations, and transportation enhancement interest organizations. We have partnered to develop useful publications, and trail resources, as well as transportation enhancement resources.
Personal Interests: I enjoy many activities through Truro Church, Fairfax, VA: teaching English to speakers of other languages through our International program, choir, Spanish language ministry, and mission trips. I enjoy using trails, walking, gardening, and reading.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Recreational Trails Program: program management and guidance; manage administrative funds.
Transportation Enhancement Activities: program management and guidance.
Accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act for outdoor developed areas, including trails and outdoor recreation access routes.
Nationwide trail issues such as:
- Participate with the Federal Interagency Council on Trails (US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service).
- Support the National Trails Training Partnership with Federal agencies and trail advocacy groups.
- Represent the USDOT/FHWA on Federal Interagency Public Health and Recreation Working Group
- Support US Forest Service trail technology development and publications.
- Develop trail design and management guidelines with various trail user groups.
- Participate in various trail conferences across the country.
- Coordinate railroad issues relating to trails, including rails-to-trails, rails-with-trails, and railbanking.
- Assist with the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, especially on accessibility, legislation, and safety.
Photos below: Christopher speaking at a bicycling conference (left) and an equestrian conference (right)
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