Trail Care School
Ponca State Park
October 22-24, 2025
Why You Should Attend
The 2026–2030 Nebraska Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan identifies trails as the most used and most in-demand recreational infrastructure across the state.
As trail use has surged, so have user expectations. People now seek trails optimized for their experience—whether on foot, wheel, or hoof—and supported by well-designed systems with integrated amenities. Meeting these expectations requires trail leaders, land managers, and planners to stay current with the evolution of the development process and the best practices in trail design, construction, and stewardship.
“99% of Respondents use Trails. 59.5% of trail users walk, hike, run, or ride on Natural Surface Trails.”
The 2025 THOR IMBA Regional Trail Care School is your opportunity to merge the tradition of trails with modern development processes, intentional design, and best practices to meet the high demands for unique trail experiences and sustainability.
Natural surface trail experiences aren’t “one size fits all.”
Modern trail systems are professionally planned, designed, and constructed to include both shared-use zones and segments tailored to specific user types. These well-designed systems are intentionally woven into other park amenities and recreational experiences, while providing purpose-built trails for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, equestrians, and—where permitted—motorized users.
Information
Days 1–2
October 22–23
9AM – 4 PM
Location:
Ponca State Park
Park Headquarters & Office - Library Room
88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770
[Get Directions]
Format:
Primarily classroom-based with limited field assessments
Purpose:
Explore the value of trails in outdoor recreation, community engagement, and resource management
Learn best practices for sustainable trail design, assessment, and maintenance
Build skills to evaluate trail conditions and make informed management decisions
What You’ll Learn
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Modern Trail User Experiences, Expectations, and Development Processes
Current Best Practices for Maintenance, Operations, and Sustainability
The Power of Partnerships, Community, & the Role of Volunteers
Trail Success Stories from Across the USA
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Modern Trail User Experiences, Expectations, and Development Processes
Current Best Practices for Maintenance, Operations, and Sustainability
The Power of Partnerships, Community, & the Role of Volunteers
Trail Success Stories from Across the USA
-
Modern Trail User Experiences & Expectations
Current Best Practices for Maintenance, Operations, and Sustainability
Trail Assessment & Triage
The Power of Partnerships, Community, & the Role of Volunteers
Join Us
Register today for the 2025 THOR-IMBA Trail Care School — an intensive 2-day workshop for Park Leaders, Directors, Superintendents, Maintenance and Operations Staff, and professionals in community and recreational planning and development.
Through engaging classroom sessions and fieldwork, IMBA and THOR experts will present an overview of the modern trail development process, introduce trail design concepts and sustainable maintenance practices, and delve into trail user demand and expectations, sharing the path to creating great trail experiences optimized for every user.
Full Schedule
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Who Should Attend: Nebraska Game & Parks Leadership, Administrators, and Superintendents, City Parks Leaders
Educators: Chris Orr, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
Support: Trails Have Our Respect (THOR)8:30am
Arrive & Gather
Location:
Ponca State Park
Park Headquarters & Office - Library Room
88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770
9:00am - 10:15am
Introduction & Agenda
Welcome
Attendee Introductions
IMBA & THOR Introductions
10:15am - 10:30am
Break
10:30am - 12:00pm
Outdoor Recreation and Trails
Users, trends, and outdoor recreation statistics and Nebraska SCORP
Example trail success stories from across the U.S.
The Trail Development Process
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Lunch - THOR will provide lunch.
12:45pm - 1:00pm
Break
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Resilient & Sustainable Trail Methodologies
Participant / Park 5-minute talks
Partnerships & Volunteers
Partnership & Volunteer Agreements
Partners & Volunteer Communications
-
Who Should Attend: Nebraska Game & Parks Leadership, Administrators, and Superintendents, City Parks Leaders
Educators: Chris Orr, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
Support: Trails Have Our Respect (THOR)8:30am
Arrive & Gather
Location:
Ponca State Park
Park Headquarters & Office - Library Room
88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770
9:00am - 10:15am
Previous Day Recap & Questions
10:15am - 10:30am
Break
10:30am - 12:00pm
Trail Design Management Best Practices
Inclinometer Training
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Lunch - THOR will provide lunch.
12:45pm - 1:00pm
Break
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Field Assessments
-
Who Should Attend: Nebraska Game & Parks Superintendents, City Parks Leaders, Maintenance & Operations Staff, Regional Trail & Outdoor Recreation Professionals.
Educators: Chris Orr, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
Support: Trails Have Our Respect (THOR)8:30am
Arrive & Gather
Location:
Ponca State Park
Park Headquarters & Office - Library Room
88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770
9:00am - 10:15am
Trail Design Best Management Practices
10:15am - 10:30am
Break
10:30am - 12:00pm
Trail Triage & Maintenance
Inclinometer Training
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Lunch - THOR will provide lunch.
12:45pm - 1:00pm
Break
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Field Assessments & Trail Triage
-
Who Should Attend: Nebraska Game & Parks Superintendents, Maintenance & Operations Staff, Regional Trail & Outdoor Recreation Professionals, Regional Volunteer Stewards
Educators: Chris Orr, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)
Support: Trails Have Our Respect (THOR)8:30am
Arrive & Gather
Location:
Ponca State Park
Park Headquarters & Office - Library Room
88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770
9:00am - 10:15am
Previous Day Recap & Questions
10:15am - 10:30am
Break
10:30am - 12:00pm
Trail Design Management Best Practices
Inclinometer Training
12:00pm - 12:30pm
Lunch - THOR will provide lunch.
12:45pm - 1:00pm
Break
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Field Assessments & Trail Triage
Register & Join Us!
Click Register Now to Enter Your Invitation Access Code
Our Partnership
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has been the global leader in trail access, professional standards, and sustainable trail development, helping to create over 100,000 miles of trails since its founding in 1988.
Since 1996, Trails Have Our Respect (THOR) has led trail advocacy, education, development, and stewardship regionally with a team of over a dozen trail professionals dedicated to meeting the demand for more high-quality, accessible, and sustainable trails.
Together, THOR and IMBA are working to build more trails close to home.