Accessibility indicator for a trails network in a Nature Park as part of the environmental assessment framework

The natural heritage of parks is an important resource within the framework of sustainable development. Plans, projects and activities concerning park management form the basis for evaluations that rely on indicator systems to keep the evolution of pressure factors and the conditions of habitats and protected species under control. The aim of this study is to contribute to the provision of tools to analyse and evaluate the social impact of a Nature Park in terms of the accessibility and usability for all of the network of pedestrian paths within it. The study proposes an analysis methodology and an indicator of the “environmental accessibility of the pedestrian network” which enables us to measure some aspects of accessibility such as: the ease of getting around, comfort and security for all types of users, with the maximum degree of autonomy improving the quality of the visitor's experience of the park. A spaces configuration and performance based analysis methodology was used, and the ‘accessibility for all’ indicator was developed in relation to the conduct of users, based on expert knowledge and the involvement of stakeholders. The results are highlighted using maps. There is still a long way to go before methodologies and operational procedures for this type of accessibility analysis can be set out, and the case studies research can provide an important contribution. The article reports on the application of the proposed methodology to the case study of the natural park of Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli in Tuscany (Italy).