Although MassGIS has served trails information from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for many years, this new Trails layer is MassGIS’ first attempt at a statewide, multi-sourced dataset. This layer was created from two primary sources, DCR Trailsand the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s (MAPC) Trailmap. Additionally, a few other trail networks were added from Open Street Map (OSM), municipalities, and conservation organizations, but the amount of information from these sources is relatively small.

This trails dataset was created for use in the State 9-1-1 Department’s mapping application Response Assist and is intended to assist telecommunicators with lost hikers as well as potentially responding to emergencies within remote areas. Because the layer is primary being used by 9-1-1, it was decided to focus on those trails found in wilderness areas and used as hiking trails. This resulted in the omission of many arcs from the source data. Examples of these include cart paths on golf courses, the network of paved paths on school campuses, sidewalks, and many other arcs that could functionally serve as trails but were in relatively open and developed areas.

MassGIS will maintain the Trails data as part of the 9-1-1 project and refresh it weekly. The number of updates will vary depending on the frequency of inputs from 9-1-1 staff and public sources.

There are many missing trails from this layer and it is hoped that it becomes more complete over time. If you would like to submit trails for inclusion in this dataset, please email MassGIS at Notify911Address@mass.gov.

MassGIS stores the data as MAD.TRAILS_SV_PUBLIC. It is a spatial view based on MAD.TRAILSwhere FOR_VWP = 'Y'.