Enhancing community well-being and economic vitality
Recreation and Trails
Research has found that time spent outdoors in nature improves both physical health and mental well-being. Communities with ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as urban and rural trail networks, have stronger communities and economies, especially as outdoor recreation has become a major draw for tourism in the Intermountain West. Additionally, proximity to active outdoor recreation opportunities is often a deciding factor in where individuals and families choose to locate.
When thoughtfully planned and managed, recreational areas, trails, and activities can be a major amenity and benefit the community and the environment. Outdoor recreation spaces can cultivate:
- Increased health and wellness of a community through physical activity, social interaction, and time spent in nature
- Expanded active transportation networks through urban trail systems
- Economic and community development through recruitment and tourism
Designing engaging outdoor recreation spaces
Our Expertise
At Io we specialize in design for outdoor recreation, including the following types of projects and scope of services:
Trail Master Planning
Whether it's a fitness loop, urban trail connection, or an entire trail system master plan, we work on trail design at a variety of scales and contexts.
Bike Parks
Our skilled trails design team has experience with public and private bike parks, including the popular Trackline Bike Park in Ogden.
Parks for Wellness
We design parks with community health and wellness as our focus. Our parks include features like outdoor fitness trails, sports courts, and community gardens.
Playgrounds
For us an important aspect of outdoor recreation is the addition of unique play experiences for children of all ages in public spaces.
Let's Talk
Would you like to find out more about our process, and how to work with us? Follow the link below to answer a few questions about your project and we’ll reach out to you with more information on next steps.