A Framework for Wayshowing: Mount Evans Scenic & Historic Byway Clear Creek County Colorado June 2013 Acknowledgments This plan would not have been possible without the contributions of the Byway Committee of the Mount Evans Scenic and Historic Byway: Bob and Jan Bowland, Mary Jane Loevlie, Omer Humber, Lori Denton, Nicole Malandri, Deb Ryon, Cassandra Patton, JoAnn Sorensen. Appreciation is also extended to the participants of the Mount Evans Wayfinding Project, who donated their time to spend a day behind the wheel on the byway. Thanks to Debbie Lininger, Grant Garstka, Lenore Bates, and Scott Hoftiezer. Special thanks to Lenore Bates, Scenic Byways Program Coordinator, Colorado Department of Transportation for her guidance throughout the project. Document Produced By: Walden Mills Group Judy Walden, President Sally Pearce June 2013 2 Table of Contents Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................4 Introduction.........................................................................................................................................6 Keys to Effective Wayshowing.............................................................................................................6 Wayshowing Components...................................................................................................................7 History of Wayfinding Development on Mount Evans........................................................................7 Mount Evans Wayfinding Assessment………........................................................................................9 Summary of Key Observations from the Assessment Team……………………………………………………..…….10 Recommendations and Action Plan...................................................................................................12 Partnerships and Financial Resources ..............................................................................................12 Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 3 Executive Summary Wayshowing is a collection of maps, signs and other media that have been developed to aid travelers in their journey. A system of such information is critical to help travelers successfully choose a destination and plan their itinerary as well as to help them navigate once they arrive. As such, efforts to enhance a regional tourism economy must consider the strengths and deficiencies of existing wayshowing elements located along the full length of a byway corridor. The plan that follows assesses the current elements of the wayshowing system that exists throughout the Mount Evans Scenic and Historic Byway in Clear Creek County. Utilizing a “front-seat back-seat” approach, travelers unfamiliar with the area took to the road with a list of significant historical, cultural and recreational sites to locate. Neophytes in the front seat searched for signs, used digital devices, studied maps and asked for directions. Meanwhile, transportation and tourism specialists in the back seat recorded the navigational challenges for those “new to the byway” travelers in the front. This four person team set out to assess the wayfinding system on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. An analysis of this formal assessment exercise, combined with the input of local officials, transportation and tourism specialists resulted in recommendations that can improve the ease of navigation for visitors and better capitalize on the potential for increasing travel-related revenues for the communities along the byway. Recommendations include: A. As specified in the corridor management plan, byway signage needs to show that the byway begins at the east entrance to town off I-70 and passes through the historic downtown, and then continues up SH 103 past the US Forest Service Ranger District Office. Signs on I-70 should reflect this in both directions. Byway signs need to be installed on the extension from Bergen Park to Echo Lake. B. The Visitor Center in Idaho Springs needs to be clearly and consistently marked for travelers both east bound and west bound because the Center serves as a gateway to the byway for I-70 travelers. C. Interpretation can help keep people on the byway longer, pointing out more things to see and do, thus contributing potential customers for local businesses in the town itself. The byway needs to presented as more than just a scenic drive. Improved interpretation can establish a clear link between Idaho Springs and the mountain, specifying recreational opportunities and overnight possibilities. 4 D. Travelers want choices – navigational and interpretive information should convey that there are multiple decision points that go beyond just driving up and down the mountain. Upper Chicago Creek Picnic area should be developed with interpretive exhibits related to the historic road and CCC construction. In addition, both Upper Chicago Creek Picnic Area and Echo Lake Park can be developed as family oriented recreational destinations. E. Correct inconsistent place names on signage and brochures, i.e. the Oh My God Road is also called Virginia Canyon Road and Canyon Road; the M. Walter Pesman Trail is also called Upper Mt. Goliath on some signs; and the Idaho Springs Library is also called the Carnegie Library. I-70 Signage The Mount Evans Scenic and Historic Byway is incredibly important to Colorado tourism, hosting travelers with widely divergent interests. Domestic and international travelers who come to Denver on business or for sporting events shift their schedules to fit in a half day or full day excursion to the mountains. Bicyclists in the thousands head to the foothills to gain some altitude training, motorcyclists seek tight turns on mountain roads, and families from the Denver metro area use the Denver Mountain Parks for family picnics and get-aways. Strengthening the existing wayshowing system can result in greater safety for cars, bicyclists, and motorcyclists alike. Enhancements to the excellent existing interpretive signage will deepen the understanding for visitors of historic and recreational assets. Finally, enhanced information will serve to connect travelers with local communities, thus giving local businesses more opportunities to sell their goods and services to travelers. 5 Introduction Stages of Wayshowing Effective wayshowing is essential not only The deployment of an effective system of wayshowing is an essential to ensuring good experiences for the component of successful regional tourism strategies. Wayfinding and visitor, but also in attracting that visitor in the first place. While wayshowing may wayshowing are related but distinct concepts. Wayfinding is the seem to begin and end with the traveler mental process performed by travelers in identifying and locating on the road, it also plays an important role in attracting visitors, assisting in their trip their travel destinations. Wayshowing, on the other hand, is the planning, and in enhancing their communication in the form of maps, signs, and other media intended recollections with others after their trip is to aid the traveler in their wayfinding. complete. Consider the travel experience as five distinct stages: The purpose of this document is to provide a preliminary plan for an Choose enhanced wayshowing system along the Mount Evans Scenic and The point at which the traveler decides his or her travel destination or destinations. Historic Byway in the Central Mountains of Colorado. In achieving this Wayfinding Needs: What are the travel purpose, the plan aims to: routes? What is there to see and do and where are these activities located? How much time is required for the trip? Provide an outline of key concepts of wayshowing and wayfinding Prepare This is the stage in which the prospective Assess the inventory of existing directional signage to key traveler plans and prepares for their trip, sites along Interstate 70, State Highways 103 and 5, Clear including making reservations or other advance travel arrangements. Wayfinding Creek County Road 103, and Jefferson County Road 66 Needs: How will we get there? Where will Assess the inventory of designation signage along the same we stay, eat and stop? How much time routes should we allot to travel to and on the travel route? Where are the heritage, Provide recommendations for enhancing directional signage recreational, and cultural attractions of to key sites the area? Provide an outline for subsequent action Go/Do This stage is the event itself as the visitor makes his or her way to or around their Keys to Effective Wayshowing destination. Wayfinding Needs: Where are the entry points to the route? How do we An effective system of wayshowing responds to the needs of travelers get back on track if we get off the route? Where are the attractions along the at all stages in their journey. At a minimum, effective wayshowing for route? Where can we get information the traveler must: along the route? Where do we get gas, food, or lodging? Support how people find their way in unfamiliar travel Recall environments This is the stage in which the memories of the trip extend its enjoyment beyond the Provide a guidance system of reliable and consistent time spent away from home. With travel components on the byway completed, visitors typically want pictures, maps, souvenirs or other items Respond to the unique characteristics of the byway to assist their recollection of a memorable Integrate pre-visit, visit, and post-visit stages of the byway