John Frado, Principal

John has more than 30 years’ experience in recreation planning, with special expertise in multi-use trail and facility design and construction.

As a recreation planner for Northeast Utilities, he designed and operated the award-winning trail system and environmental education center at Northfield Mountain, Massachusetts. Since joining Nordic Group International in 1985, he has been involved with more than 120 trail, resort, and park projects in the U.S. and Canada. His work at Great Glen Trails in New Hampshire won international acclaim for a state-of-the-art trail lodge and trail system.

John is a Founder and Director Emeritus of Cross Country Ski Areas Association and was instrumental in developing the National Ski Patrol’s Nordic Division.

Areas of expertise

• Outdoor recreation master plans
• Design and development of state-of-the-art multi-season, multi-use trails and integrated facilities
• Environmentally sustainable low-maintenance (“weatherproof”) trail design, including instruction areas/terrain gardens
• Trail construction supervision and crew training
• Trail and trailside-attraction design
• Trail coordination with motorized users
• Public presentations
• Staff training
• Effective solutions for clients dealing with complex public interests and environmental issues

Professional history

• Planner, Northeast Utilities, Connecticut
• Manager, Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Education Center, Massachusetts
• Instructor in Resource Planning, University of Massachusetts
• Instructor in Outdoor Leadership and Wilderness First-Aid, Greenfield Community College, Massachusetts
• Speaker at dozens of presentations to professional groups, environmental groups, and government agencies in the U.S. and Canada
• Principal, Nordic Group International

Publications
John has written articles and manuals on sustainable trail design, environmentally pro-active recreation planning, recreation management, and risk management. He’s author of 25 Ski Tours in Western Massachusetts and Nordic Ski & Toboggan Instructors’ Manual (National Ski Patrol System); and he’s co-author of Cross Country Close to Home: A Ski Area Development Manual.

Education

• A.S., Arboriculture & Park Management, Stockbridge School of Agriculture Massachusetts
• B.S., Park Administration, University of Massachusetts
• B.S., Forestry, emphasis on Forest Recreation, University of Montana
•  M.S., Forestry, emphasis on Resource Planning, University of Massachusetts