The New Dinosaur Trail Proposal for the Development of a Scenic Touring Route Connecting the Town of Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park
Researched and Written by Canadian Badlands Tourism, with support from the Alberta Culture and Tourism and Alberta Parks — January 2016 — PROPOSAL OVERVIEW > A map showing the main touring route and the two alternate routes, which maximize the scenic and experiential qualities of the journey.
> Recommendations for placement and design of starting and end point billboards, directional signage and way-finding signage.
> Recommendations for interpretive themes and mediums.
> Request for support from the Government of Alberta.
> List of partners and their endorsements. 2 VISION BACKGROUND To connect the world famous Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Previously, two detailed studies were conducted, both concluding that located in Drumheller, Alberta, with the globally significant Dinosaur the route shows great potential for development. The first feasibility Provincial Park, UNESCO World heritage site, via a scenic touring route. study was titled The Red Deer River Valley Scenic Touring Route Assessment Study and was conducted in 1990 by Carson McCulloch The proposed Dinosaur Trail will connect the two most significant Associates with Pannell Kerr Forster Delcan Western Ltd. dinosaur sites in Alberta, providing visitors with a well-marked route and Cottonwood Consultants (view document using the link that will feature the stunning scenery of the Canadian Badlands. http://ow.ly/UTSQR). In 2011 the Canadian Badlands Scenic Touring Route Master Plan was completed by Carson McCulloch Associates The proposed dinosaur trail has the potential to become an iconic scenic (view document using the link http://ow.ly/UQXne). An open house route such as the Sea-to-Sky Highway in British Columbia or the Going- presenting the findings of the latter study was conducted in 2010 in to-the-Sun Road in Montana. Patricia, Alberta. It should be noted that these studies called for larger scale developments than those presented in this proposal. Despite this ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES difference, much of the research and technical information in these studies will be useful going forward. The route will help to encourage longer stays in the region, bringing additional tourism dollars into the region and the province. Some of the In 2015, Canadian Badlands Ltd. engaged experts from Alberta Parks benefits of developing the Dinosaur Trail Scenic Touring Route will (Dinosaur Provincial Park), and Alberta Culture and Tourism (Royal include economic benefits for the communities located between the two Tyrrell Museum) to conduct the necessary fieldwork and design work destinations, with anticipated purchases such as fuel, food, and that resulted in the recommendations contained in this proposal. accommodations. The route will also assist with brand differentiation between the Town of Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park (destinations which are often confused for each other by visitors).
3 4 Trochu THE ROUTES Rowley Three Hills The primary route is shown on the map highlighted in orange and representsMorrin the best balance of scenic beauty Hannaand ease of travel. It is the shortest route (approximately 2 hours) and is entirely paved. Assuming the traveller is driving east from theDelia Royal Tyrrell Museum, they remain in the scenic Drumheller Valley and are afforded the chanceLinden to visit the swinging bridge in Rosedale, the East Coulee School Royal Tyrrel Prairie Museum, the Atlas Coal Mine and the historic hamlet of Museum of Oasis Park Midland Palaeontology Dorothy. From there they ascend to prairie levels, where Provincial Cereal Carbon Park they can travel without interruption through prairie DRUMHELLER farmland on highway 570 to highway 36. As the traveller Hoodoo Recreation Area Horseshoe Canyon 10 East Coulee approaches Dinosaur Provincial Park they are routed Provincial through the village of Duchess, where servicesBeiseker such as Recreation Area Sunnynook Atlas 670 fuel and food are readily available. Coal Mine Rosebud 570 Rosebud Two alternate routes are also shown on the map. As these Theatre 56 routes take travellers through additional badlands they 876 are more scenic and will be memorable, however they SUMMER also require more time, and are, at this time, not ROAD completely paved. ONLY 36 Strathmore The first alternate route takes travellers off Highway 570, heading south to reenter the Red Deer River Valley, crossing the river at the Finnigan Ferry. The ferry 566 crossing will provide a memorable experience, though it Dinosaur Provincial should be noted that the ferry service is seasonal. South to Calgary Bassano Park of the Finnigan Ferry the route again rejoins Highway 36. Dam Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Bassano The second alternate route has travellers remain on Rosemary Duchess highway 570, bringing them south, passing by the Patricia 544 communities of Pollockville, and Cessford,Mossleigh who are 873 prepared to provide rest stop services for travellers. It then passes through Steveville, giving them a view of the Milo to Medicine Hat far west side of Dinosaur Provincial Park. The roads in BROOKS Lake McGregor Brooks this area are being hardened in phases, and are slated to Provincial Recreation Area Aqueduct Kinbrook Island be paved within the next 10 years. Provincial Park Lake Newell Tilley
Vulcan Scandia 5 Little Bow Provincial Park Rolling Hills 529
Carmangay Redcli Vauxhall 523 MEDICINE HAT
Nobleford Picture Butte Bow Island Park Lake Provincial Park Taber Coaldale 877 512 513 LETHBRIDGE 6 SIGNS: BILLBOARDS With the starting points of the Dinosaur Trail designated as the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology and Dinosaur Provincial Park, it is recommended that two billboards be developed and erected in these locations.
Billboards are to be placed roadside on Provincial Park land, and will be viewed as visitors exit each site, well before reaching highway speeds.
The billboards will introduce the image of the dinosaur silhouette that will be featured on all the Dinosaur Trail signage, as well as the distance to the other starting point. These will not only mark the beginning of the trail for visitors leaving one of the attractions, but it will also educate all visitors on the proximity of the two locations have to each other, assisting with the issue of brand confusion between the two.
7 8 Trochu SIGNS: DIRECTIONAL Rowley Three Hills There are several critical intersections along the route which require directionalMorrin signage. The proposed directionalHanna signage should measure 2,400 mm wide x 1,800 mm tall, include the recognizable dinosaur silhouette icon, and the numberDelia of kilometers to the end point. Linden The following map illustrates the proposed locations of the directional signage. Good directional signage is Royal Tyrrel Prairie Museum of Oasis Park absolutely critical to keep travellers on track and Midland Palaeontology Provincial Cereal confident, especially with the proposed alternate routes.Carbon Park DRUMHELLER
Hoodoo Recreation Area Horseshoe Canyon 10 East Coulee Provincial PROPOSED REST STOP Beiseker Recreation Area Sunnynook Atlas 670 The development of a rest stop at the intersection of Coal Mine Rosebud 570 Highway 570 and Highway 36 is highly recommended. Rosebud Theatre REST This is the largest span of uninterrupted driving along the 56 STOP main road, and families at this point may require a stop. 876 A roadside turnout on the west side of highway 36, SUMMER just south of the intersection, should include ROAD washroom facilities. ONLY 36 Strathmore Because of the mix of industrial and tourist traffic on this road, this rest stop would be used by many, and would increase the overall safety for all drivers passing by. 566 Dinosaur Provincial to Calgary Bassano Park Dam Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Bassano Rosemary Duchess Patricia 544 Mossleigh 873
Milo to Medicine Hat BROOKS Lake McGregor Brooks Provincial Recreation Area Aqueduct Kinbrook Island Provincial Park Lake Newell Tilley
Vulcan Scandia 9 Little Bow Provincial Park Rolling Hills 529
Carmangay Redcli Vauxhall 523 MEDICINE HAT
Nobleford Picture Butte Bow Island Park Lake Provincial Park Taber Coaldale 877 512 513 LETHBRIDGE 450mm
600 mm
300 mm
10 Trochu SIGNS: WAY-FINDING Rowley Three Hills Tourists travelling by car in rural locations require reassurance they are stillMorrin on the right route; this is especiallyHanna true of visitors who are unfamiliar with Alberta’s geography. Therefore, a very well-marked route is critical to the success of the proposedDelia Dinosaur Trail. The area between Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park is rural,Linden with some distances without roadside communities or Royal Tyrrel Prairie amenities, and some areas lacking significant landmarks Museum of Oasis Park Midland Palaeontology and cellular service. Provincial Cereal Carbon Park DRUMHELLER Way-finding markers featuring the simple silhouetted Hoodoo Recreation Area Horseshoe Canyon dinosaur icon should be mounted on standalone posts at a 10 East Coulee Provincial height of 2m from the ground or mounted to existingBeiseker signs Recreation Area Atlas 670 Sunnynook along the route. The included map illustrates the proposed Coal Mine Rosebud 570 locations and frequency of way-finding markers (using the Rosebud standard distance between of approximately 30-50 km). Theatre 56 876 Sign standards used in this proposal were taken from the following Alberta Transportation documents: SUMMER ROAD ONLY 36 • Installation of Trailblazer Signs – Recommended Strathmore Practices – September 2013
• Transportation Infrastructure Management 566 System Sign Panel Catalogue – July 2015 Dinosaur Provincial • Highway guide to Informational Sign Manual – to Calgary Bassano Park October 2006 Dam Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Bassano Rosemary Duchess Patricia
544 Mossleigh 873
Milo to Medicine Hat BROOKS Lake McGregor Brooks Provincial Recreation Area Aqueduct Kinbrook Island Provincial Park Lake Newell Tilley
Vulcan Scandia 11 Little Bow Provincial Park Rolling Hills 529
Carmangay Redcli Vauxhall 523 MEDICINE HAT
Nobleford Picture Butte Bow Island Park Lake Provincial Park Taber Coaldale 877 512 513 LETHBRIDGE 12 INTERPRETATION THEME MAP BROCHURE An interpretive theme which is applicable to both the Drumheller Valley A tri-fold pamphlet with an easy-to-read road map showing the main and Dinosaur Provincial Park, as well as features found between the and alternate routes should be developed. On the opposite side of the two locations provides a through-line for all interpretive assets to map, points of interest will be described which relate to the interpretive be developed. theme. These pamphlets would be made available at the route start points, and would become a The theme entitled “Below the Surface” speaks to the strata of the valuable marketing tool to promote the badlands topography, the fossils they contains, and the ancient history Dinosaur Trail to the domestic and they tell. It is conducive to educating visitors on the relationship international tourist trade. between the Drumheller Valley and the rocks found in Dinosaur Provincial Park. This theme also connects to oil and gas, and agricultural resources and industry seen along the way. APP A more robust and interactive interpretive resource should be developed MEDIUMS in the form of an app. This could contain an audio guide to provide verbal interpretation to the driver and passengers as they travel, using In order to reduce costs, increase the lifespan of interpretive resources, stories and interactive challenges (eg. variations on simple games like and increase the ease of updating and upgrading information, roadside “I spy”) to keep travellers engaged. The app could interpretive signage is not recommended in this proposal. also have within it on-screen games and challenges designed for younger passengers. Instead, it is recommended that interpretive resources are developed, for ”in car” use, allowing the information to enhance the travellers’ The app would be provided for free and journey while not slowing them down. downloadable in advance from partners’ websites, or on-site in tourist locations with Wi-Fi access.
13 THE ROAD AHEAD Through discussions with the included counties, municipalities, special The town of Drumheller has agreed to join as a major partner in this areas, and tourism attractions and businesses, a high level of support touring route development, including redeveloping the north and south for the development of this scenic touring route has been generated. Dinosaur Trail within the town of Drumheller.
Based on this proposal and its related fieldwork, and on the previous Municipalities, counties, and Special Areas have all expressed a studies conducted in 2010 and 1990, Canadian Badlands Tourism willingness to provide, where possible, in-kind support to reduce costs strongly believes that this project should now move from the planning of this project. stage to implementation. Upon receiving support from Alberta Transportation and Alberta Alberta Culture and Tourism has been a critical partner in supporting Culture and Tourism, Canadian Badlands Tourism would determine the Dinosaur Trail Scenic Touring Route planning, and will continue to budgets, timelines and milestones, and coordinate the final design an be an important partner in its development. installation of the required signage along the primary route. At the same time, Canadian Badlands Tourism would develop the map brochure and The support and input from Alberta Transportation is a critically its associated interpretation. Additional phases would include the important factor in the development of the Dinosaur Trail Scenic development of secondary routes, and an interpretive app. Touring Route.
14 PARTNERS’ STATEMENT OF SUPPORT
“A scenic touring route connecting the Royal Tyrrell Museum and Dinosaur Provincial Park is an exciting development, and one that we support wholeheartedly. We believe the travel between these two iconic tourism attractions will not only provide an excellent experience for visitors to the Canadian Badlands, but will also bring direct economic benefit to the communities located on and around the route.
Linking these two well-known sites will no doubt result in increased overnight stays in the region and the sale of food and fuel. Additionally, developments like these can help to encourage other developments, such as the hardening of roads, improvement of signage, and even the development of new tourism services and attractions along the route.
Where possible, we will continue to provide support for this development, and, where appropriate, will consider in-kind contributions to assist in its implementation.”
Chair Jordon Christianson Reeve Molly Douglass Mayor Terry Yemen Mayor Barry Morishita Special Areas 2 County of Newell Town of Drumheller The City of Brooks
President Colin Wildschut Chair Dan Sullivan Manager Andrew Hunt E.D. Andrew Neuman Newell Regional Travel Drumheller Dinosaur Provincial Park Royal Tyrrell Museum Tourism Association of Palaeontology
E.D. Julia Fielding Reeve Bob Long Councillor Alice Booth Board President Cathy Watts Atlas Coal Mine County of Kneehill County of Wheatland Cactus Corridor
15 Canadian Badlands Tourism
403-823-7741 [email protected] canadianbadlands.com