DRAFTCorridor Management Plan Corridor Management Plan for the for the Outer Banks Scenic Byway Outer Banks Scenic Byway Dare, Hyde, and Carteret Counties Dare,North Hyde,Carolina and Carteret Counties North Carolina December 1, 2008 November 24, 2008 NC OUTER BANKS SCENIC BYWAY TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION, VISION AND GOALS Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 The Significance of the Outer Banks Scenic Byway............................................................. 2 A Vision for 2020 and Beyond............................................................................................. 3 Goals................................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2: ABOUT THE BYWAY Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 7 Cultural and Historic Qualities: History and Evolution of the Cultural Landscape ............. 7 Cultural Qualities................................................................................................................ 16 Natural Qualities ................................................................................................................ 18 Historic Qualities ................................................................................................................ 21 Scenic Qualities................................................................................................................... 30 Recreational Qualities......................................................................................................... 30 Archeological Qualities........................................................................................................ 31 CHAPTER 3: ENSURING STEWARDSHIP Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 37 The Outer Banks Scenic Byway Is Natural ......................................................................... 37 Recommendations for Stewardship of Public Lands and Natural Qualities................... 40 A Natural Place, Special People .......................................................................................... 41 Recommendations for Stewardship of Cultural and Historic Qualities.......................... 44 More History to Uncover; Recommendations for Archeological Stewardship ...................... 45 Beautiful Views; Recommendations for Stewardship of Scenic Qualities ............................. 45 A Place for Play, Solitude and Enjoyment; Recommendations for Recreation .................... 47 CHAPTER 4: ENHANCING THE BYWAY CORRIDOR Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 49 Enhancing the Byway for Visiting and Living .................................................................... 49 Scenic Byway Gateways and Village Design................................................................. 49 Provisions for Bicyclists and Pedestrians...................................................................... 53 Water Access................................................................................................................ 55 Improvements to Public Parkland and Refuges............................................................ 58 Recommendations........................................................................................................ 59 Enhancing the Byway for Ferrying and Driving ................................................................. 62 Ferries.......................................................................................................................... 62 Safety........................................................................................................................... 65 Roadway Maintenance ................................................................................................. 66 Views from the Road and Scenic Enhancements........................................................... 67 Wayfinding and Signs .................................................................................................. 68 Recommendations........................................................................................................ 69 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS, cont’d CHAPTER 5: SHARING THE HERITAGE OF PEOPLE AND PLACES ALONG THE BYWAY Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 73 Existing Conditions............................................................................................................. 73 Visitor Orientation ...................................................................................................... 74 Major Interpretive Facilities ....................................................................................... 75 Other Interpretive Sites and Efforts............................................................................ 76 Private Initiatives....................................................................................................... 78 Trails and Tours .......................................................................................................... 81 Audience and the Visitor Experience................................................................................... 82 Improving the Interpretive Experience............................................................................... 88 An Interpretive Plan for the Byway ................................................................................... 89 Recommendations for Sharing the Stories........................................................................... 90 CHAPTER 6: BEYOND THE BYWAY – SHARING THE HERITAGE OF THE PEOPLE AND PLACES OF THE OUTER BANKS Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 99 The Byway’s Role in Tourism Marketing............................................................................100 Shaping Audience Outreach to Shape Visitor Demand........................................................101 Projects to Reach Audiences Beyond the Byway ................................................................104 Positioning Tactics ......................................................................................................105 Enhance the Experience through an Interactive Internet Presence ..............................108 Make the Visitor Experience Special.............................................................................117 Focus on Specialized Audiences....................................................................................121 Great Giveaways and Contests .....................................................................................124 Encourage Collaboration among Businesses and Sites 126 ............................................126 CHAPTER 7: ORGANIZING THE OUTER BANKS SCENIC BYWAY Introduction .......................................................................................................................127 Management .......................................................................................................................127 Resources............................................................................................................................128 Public Outreach and Participation......................................................................................131 ADDENDUM I: Roles of Agencies, Groups and Individuals ..................................................133 ADDENDUM II: A Drive along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway ............................................135 MAPS Outer Banks Scenic Byway Land Use ................................................................................. 33 Outer Banks Scenic Byway Features Hatteras Island (Dare County)..................................................................................... 34 Ocracoke Island (Hyde County) ................................................................................... 35 Down East (Carteret County)....................................................................................... 36 iv NC OUTER BANKS SCENIC BYWAY TABLE OF CONTENTS, cont’d APPENDICES 1: Life-Saving Station Sites to Consider For Interpretive Improvements.............................147 2: Miscellaneous Sites to Consider For New or Added Interpretive Improvements...............148 3: Public Harbors and Private Ferries to Consider For Interpretive Improvements.............149 4: Public Fishing, Boating and Camping Sites to Consider For Interpretive Improvements..............................................................................................................149 5: The Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Plan for Developing Wayside Exhibits .............150 6: Cape Hatteras National Seashore Interpretive Themes....................................................150 7: Preserving Cultural Traditions: Bringing Back the Annabelle ..........................................151 TABLES 2-1: Life-Saving Station Sites and Resources....................................................................... 10 2-2: Historic Sites Listed in or Determined Eligible