Post on 12-Jan-2016
Asset Based Community
Development
Cultural / Heritage Assets Craft Music Agri-Heritage Ethnic – Food
Natural Assets
Natural Wonders Scenic By-ways Parks (State and National) Water Amenities – Costal, Lakes, Rivers
Educational Assets
University Programs – Elder Hostels etc. Unique Schools Craft Schools, Sailing Schools, Boat Builders New Trends Learning Vacations- i.e. Archeological Digs, Cooking SchoolsOutdoor Recreation/Adventure Schools Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Hang Gliding
Asset Mapping and Public Meetings
Public Meetings were and are the key for our trails program
We asked specific questions of each meeting, but always asked certain key questions – Where don’t you want
visitors to go (sacred places)?
Sites to share with visitors? What are you most proud
of here? What makes your area
unique in WNC? Then we literally put up a map
and placed dots where folks gave us information
What is a Trail? Thematic Geographic
Trail to Marketers Trail to Visitors Trail to Hikers
Just a Few Examples from NC
* African American Heritage Trail * American Motor Sports Trail * American Tobacco Trail * Appalachian Trail * Asheville Urban Trail * Beaufort By-The-Sea Coastal Carolina Christmas Trail * Brunswick Co Farm Trail * Canoeing the Haw River Trail * Craft Heritage Trails * Madison County Driving Trails * Elizabeth City’s Historic Walking Trails * Farms Gardens and Countryside Trails of Western North Carolina * Glen Burney Trail * Boone Greenway Trail * Historic Albemarle Trail * Hoop Pole Creek Nature Trail * Civil War Trails * Great Smokey Mountain Agricultural Trail * Homegrown, HandMade and Absolutely Wild * Rock Stew Ramble * NC Golf Trail * Twenty Miles of Furniture
out of 274!
When is a trail appropriate vs. straight marketing of sites?
Criteria HandMade must have
criteria to know who to include – but more importantly to say why certain sites were left out
This is the standard that ensures the best experience for your visitor
Policing?? Enforcement? (print is very different here from web)
Key to striving towards a consistent product
Gives the organizers some control over final product
Site Criteria Focus on authenticity and
quality Celebrates and reflects
positively on the cultural heritage of the region
Locations easy to access (excludes 4-wheel drive across areas
Private residences must have separate business entrance
All sites specify: Regular Business hours – a minimum of 2-days per week
Craft Criteria Sites (studios, shops,
galleries) must provide interpretation
Historic sites must be related to craft/crafts person /architectural craft…
Shops must feature American-made craft with an emphasis on WNC
Selected events include craft fairs, demonstrations, educational experiences must take place on an annual basis
Craft/Garden/Farm Criteria
Restaurants feature indigenous mountain foods (i.e. blue plate specials, family style dining, organic and vegetarian meals
Lodgings – B & B, farm stays, historic inns, fishing or hunting lodges, indigenous garden sites