WILD RIVERS COAST RURAL TOURISM STUDIO...

Wild Rivers Coast Rural Tourism Notes, Nature-Based Outdoor Recreation Notes, December 4, 2013 1

WILD RIVERS COAST – RURAL TOURISM STUDIO Workshop #5, Nature-based Tourism Development Wednesday, December 4, 2013 Port Orford Community Building, Port Orford Facilitated by Kristin Dahl, Travel Oregon PARTICIPANTS Jim Auborn, City of Port Orford Karen Auborn, Port Orford Main Street Revitilization Association David Basset Cathy Boden, Curry Watershed Partnership Frank Burris, Oregon State University Extension Service Tom Calvanese Alexa Carey, Rural Development Initiatives Michelle Carillo, Oregon State University Extension Service Tina Davis, Hydres Sue Dawson, Gold Beach Visitor Center Lydia Delgado Steve Dimock, La Kris Inn Karen Dowd-Hansen, The Compass Rose Bed and Breakfast Jessie Dubuque, USDA Forest Service Jordan Fanning, City of Brookings Jodi Fritts, City of Gold Beach Michael Glore Cynthia Griffith, The Bluebird House Douglas Hansen, The Compass Rose Bed and Breakfast Bob Hemus, US Forest Service Theresia Hewitt, Port Orford Beacon Maryann Holcomb, One Lump or Two? Kim Hunter, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Annette Klinefelter, AK Consulting Dave Lacey, South Coast Tours LLC Beverley Manes, Port Orford Chamber of Commerce Jerry McManus Nic McNair, Jerry’s Rogue Jets Jessica Mercado, Del Norte Economic Development Corporation Julie Miller, Bandon Chamber of Commerce

Ben Morgen, Port Orford Main Street Matthew Mozzachio Megan Pounder, Bandon Coffee Cafe Tyson Rasor, Redfish Rocks Community Team Laura Rhodes, Oregon Parks and Recreation Troy Russell, Elk River Property Development Harv Schubothe, Greater Bandon Association Nancy Schwieger, USDA Forest Service Jim Seeley, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance John Shipp, Powder House Vacation Rental Marie Simonds, Wild Rivers Coast Alliance Nikki Sparks, Event Center on the Beach Scott Thiemann, Curry County Extension Service Kelly Thompson, Truffles Bandon Candace Tinkler, National Park Service Sandy Vieira, Gold Beach Chamber of Commerce David Wash, Bureau of Land Management Jill Williams, Bureau of Land Management TRAVEL OREGON STAFF Kristin Dahl, Director, Destination Development Harry Dalgarrd, Specialist, Destination Development Nastassja Pace, Coordinator, Destination Development


ENVISIONING THE FUTURE At table groups organized by community, participants discussed what a thriving nature-based outdoor recreation economy would look like in the region in thirty years. Below are the highlights recorded by each group by community from north to south: BANDON Regional cooperation Sustainable/stable experience providers Network/co-op of operations Living wage jobs Thoughtful land use rules to protect the resources Diverse economy Thriving natural environment PORT ORFORD/LANGLOIS Well-designed backcountry infrastructure (trails, water, trailheads, etc.) R&R opportunities (spas, movie theater, hot tubbers, brewery) Functioning/tourist friendly port Eco-tours (marine reserve, reefs) Interpretive and educational Center Developed town center Guides Multiple transportation options Good food options Affordable lodging Outdoor gear stores/outfitters Signage Revitalized main streets GOLD BEACH Mindset change – transition away from timber-based economy to nature-based tourism – in a way

that they are not mutually exclusive or polarizing Financial support Beautiful linked trails and signage Year-round infrastructure Façade improvements Flourishing youth hostel Vibrant used website with packages, tours and updated information Association with Western Capes Low unemployment rate with living wage jobs Sustainable shoulder season activities Active logging tour and approach to history and local culture


BROOKINGS Sustainable and successful year round attractions and opportunities for visitors Meeting space for events or groups coming in Gear and guide services Regional connected itineraries Regional trail/multi-use path system Feeling of welcomeness

o All levels o Sense of pride and identity o Information for access (online and by local staff)

o Aesthetics, main streets o Balance and maintain integrity of local heritage (resources, wilderness and ranches) o Diverse people coming (families, all ages, outdoor/artsy, international

OPPORTUNITIES FOR NATURE-BASED OUTDOOR RECREATION DEVELOPMENT After reviewing national and international examples of nature-based outdoor recreation destinations, participants identified regional and community-specific opportunities for developing this sector of its tourism economy. Recreation Opportunities: ideas from the FULL GROUP Small business incubator Guided Services Integrated trail systems Windsurfing Relay events Shuttle Service and tour packages Events – based on breweries Cool unique accommodations in strategic locations

o Huts o Pods o Campsites with shelter

Recreation Opportunities: ideas from BANDON Biking Integrated Trail Systems with BLM and Forest Service & Cities Birding tours Clearing house for tour operators Places to get gear (outfitters) Small business incubators Opportunities identified on the BANDON map: Birding locations identified and interpreted Golfing Windsurfing


Sportfishing Mountain biking on the interior coastal mountains Telling story of geography through geology

Recreation Opportunities: ideas from GOLD BEACH

Windsurfing in Pistol River Wild Horse Route (Hunter Creek) Drive Route with 6 -- hikes and beer Rogue River Run (Jacksonville Gold Beach) Engage community when results fall on the same weekend Utilize local assets – breweries Consider multiple facets to events and multiple user types (e.g. mountain bikers with Marathoners) Coordinate with outside event companies Historical trail restoration Develop volun-tourism /eco-volunteer opportunities Create large backpacking route connections Develop private enterprise for shuttling

o Connect Multiple sports Create packages and itineraries with businesses and visitor centers Target low tide dates for tide pooling, clamming, beach combing Opportunities identified on the GOLD BEACH map: Wildlife viewing Horse and brew tours Recreation Opportunities: ideas from LANGLOIS/PORT ORFORD Huts Birding, paddling and hiking the Oregon Coast Trail Skate parks Night hikes to see the stars Access and transportation issues Adventure biking

o Fat biking on beaches o Gravel o Backroads

Ocean-based tourism o Kayaking boating o Crabbing o Surfing o Beachcombing o Fishing o Tide pooling

Parks and rec department


Opportunities identified on the LANGLOIS/PORT ORFORD map: Gold Panning Trails

o Trailheads New Scenic Bikeway routes

o Connections to cool spots Water Trails

o Kayaking o Floating

Diving Opportunities Tide Pooling opportunities Star Gazing

Recreation Opportunities: ideas from BROOKINGS Birds and birding Birds, Boats, Bikes and Brews Fest Guided hikes

o Native American interpretive o Traditional land use o History

Gear shops and rentals o How can we foster this development?

Incentives o Public agencies could possibly assist?

Fishing guides permitted on National Forrest but they should be thinking about more opportunities that they could do when not fishing

Infrastructure o Surfing amenities – rinse stations, changing stations, public restrooms

Shuttle services for tourism Hut systems for developing backpacking routes Unique accommodations for bikers Water trails

o Video vignettes o Rafting o Jet Boats o Paddling

Opportunities identified on the BROOKINGS map: Shuttle service Jet boat ride up Rogue River Hiking and birding Coastal Trail Redwoods Creating extensive itineraries Stargazing


TARGET MARKETS

Participants narrowed the conversation to focus on a few top target markets with promising long-term viability:

Birding/wildlife watching Hiking/camping/backpacking Watersports – fishing, paddle sports, etc. Biking – road & mt biking

For the purposes of today’s workshop, work groups focused strategy development in the following six areas:

1. Itineraries 2. Marketing and Communications 3. Business services 4. Birding/wildlife watching 5. Hiking/camping/backpacking 6. Watersports – fishing, paddle sports, etc.


ASSETS & OPPORTUNITIES

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS EXISTS-SUFFICIENT

EXISTS-IMPROVE

COULD DEVELOP PREFERENCE

Stakeholder coordination-synergy among activities

X 19

Regional map guides (hiking, birding, biking) X 7

Front line staff training (regional) X 6

Google analytics/search optimization

X 1

Consistent signage (wildlife, birds)

1

Volunteer guides – increased standards X 1

Videos/compelling imagery 1

Regional hiking/biking map X X

HIKING EXISTS-SUFFICIENT

EXISTS-IMPROVE


Integrated land managing X 23

Improved signage at trailheads X 11

Trail maintenance group/club X 9

On-line (digital) trail maps X

Guided trail hikes X

Shuttle service to TH’s X

Hiking opportunities X

Seasonal hut/camping SUP X

Establish more multiday loop trails X

Outdoor store specializes in hiking gear X

Work w/schools, youth groups to engage, promote stewardship X

Plan events to coincide NPLD or NT day X

App for trail info X


ASSETS & OPPORTUNITIES CONT’D...

WATERSPORTS EXISTS-SUFFICIENT

EXISTS-IMPROVE


Create informational map-guides, and get content on the internet 18

Provide access to rentals -- gear specifically for

Kayaking

Scuba diving

Surfing

Windsurfing / kiteboarding 8

Lessons/teaching skills 9

Develop guide services for

Kayaking

Scuba diving

Motorized eco-tours (need boats and captains)

Surfing

Windsurfing / kiteboarding

Infrastructure & access

Port infrastructure: ramps, access

Public bathrooms at key access points

Services:

Shuttles for kayaking and scuba diving

BUSINESS SERVICES EXISTS-SUFFICIENT

EXISTS-IMPROVE


Seed funding/incubator (grant or crowd source) X 25

Shuttle/taxi service X 12

Gear outfitting & Guide services X 3

“We Speak” business expertise X X 3

Hosteling/affordable lodging X X 2

Design standards X X 1

Attractive food/drink (marketing of…) X X

“Concierge” or travel agent service X


BIRDING/WILDLIFE VIEWING EXISTS-SUFFICIENT

EXISTS-IMPROVE


Guide to S Coast area (needs to be marketed/distributed more) X 19

Signage/Markers (create symbol or use existing) X 9

Whale watching – need to develop boat tours, etc. X 1

Annual event for region springtime – not same time as others) X

Tour guides (trained together so types of info same) pd vs volunteer X

Centralized location for gear, info, guides, etc. (each town?) X

Birds that should not be here (publicize) X

Wildlife guides for S Coast (what, where, when, etc.) X

Rain gear sales/weather related items/cold weather year X

Food services/boxed lunch (early and late availability) X

Whale guides: what is season, what types save there, etc. X

Off shore birding trips X


Community Priorities for Developing a Regional Nature-Based Outdoor Recreation Sector

1. Develop a business incubator (25) o Develop a system to get fledgling businesses more start-up capital o Provide more resources and support for businesses once they are up and running

2. Create a regional hiking map or series of maps that show trails and recreation opportunities

across the various land use types, involve the various land management agencies (23) o Develop a system of hiking maps across the region o Include: trail head information; hike description, hike length, hike difficultly

3. Provide coordination to create synergy between on-going regional and local events (19)

o Developing a system that event planners can utilize to correctly plan events so don’t overlap

o Leverage events so visitor can access multiple events on the same weekend

4. Create and distribute a local birding guide/information and distribute the Oregon Coast Birding Guide (19)

o Develop more resources for birders o Create online maps that identify birding hotspots o Provide local businesses with the resources the tools they need to give birders the

information they want

5. Develop a water trails guide (or guides) to the region (18) o Identify sports and opportunities

Kayaking Snorkeling Scuba Floating Surfing Kiting Windsurfing

o Develop new routes for kayaking/floating/fishing

6. Create a shuttle or taxi service to serve outdoor recreation pursuits (12) o Develop methodology for a company to shuttle visitors to key recreation areas o Shuttle routes to pick up and drop off road cyclist, mt bikers, hikers

7. Improve signage at trailheads (11)

o Developing better interpretation at trail heads o What user groups have access to trails o Trail information o Cultural Interpretation o Pertinent local information


FOCUSING: NATURE –BASED TOURISM STRATEGIES 1. Develop a business incubator Project or Strategy Name: Seed Funding/Incubator NAMES: Karen, Lydia, Annette, Marie and Alexa

# of Step Describe action step

Lead Person or Organization

Other relevant ideas related to this step

1 Set major strategy (outcome) w/set community buy in w/ regional approach

2

Specific contacts w/existing small business resources (SBDC, other incubators in area, business plan competition, urban renewal

SWOCC-SBDC OSU PO Main Street Brookings Bandon

3 Figure out how to leverage RTS funding for this purpose RTS

4 Identify grants and potential funding for specific see Angel inv, VC, crowd funding, BID, EID

5 Create storyboard for potential plan Outcome after RTS marketing session

6 Inventory of potential opportunities SBDC leads

7 Business plan feasibility

SWOCC – SBDCs, incubators, Annette, Susan Brown


2. Create a regional hiking map or series of maps that show trails and recreation opportunities across the various land use types, involve the various land management agencies (23)

TARGET MARKET: Hikers NAMES: Karen and Doug Hansen




1 Obtain existing maps Oregon State Parks US Forest Service

2 Get all organizations together to work State Parks

State Parks, Forest Service, local parks commission, BLM, Natural Parks

3 Designate all areas of interest to be included State Parks Ask for suggestions from the community

3. Provide coordination to create synergy between on-going regional and local events Project Focus Area: Communications & Marketing NAMES: Jodi Fritts, Margaret Pounder, Alexa Carey, Matt Mozzachio




1 ADHOC group for info exchange 2-3 takers or influencers

Wild Rivers Coast Alliance involvement

2 Cross train staff b/w different providers Chambers and visitor centers

3 Develop coordinate marketing strategy Action team


4. Create and distribute a local birding guide/information and distribute the Oregon Coast Birding Guide

Project Focus Area: Birding Brochure Distributor NAMES: Julie Miller




1

Lodging properties Visitor centers/campgrounds Coffee shops Rest stops Beach access points Bike kiosk – new ones

5. Develop a water trails guide (or guides) to the region Project Focus Area: Water sports info TARGET MARKET: Kayakers, fishermen, rafters, wildlife viewers NAMES: Dave L., Michelle Co, Tyson R.




1. Gather information of watersport locations, time of year, tide, etc. When is it good?

Integrated businesses, Agencies and NGO’s Local schools (high school graphic designer)

2.

Make product -Google map -Hardcopy map -Brochures -List of available services


3.

Where will the info be distributed to? -Websites -Businesses Visitor Centers -Chamber of Commerce



6. Create a shuttle or taxi service to serve outdoor recreation pursuits Project Focus Area: Creating a shuttle

NAMES: Names were not provided




1 Local business service What they have, can do and what they need to expand South Coast Shuttle

Sign at stops Predictable stops Contact bus services

2 Connect Del North w/bus service Expand service Redwood coast transit

Alter buses to accommodate gear

3

Private shuttle groups What they have What they are willing to do

Rafting shuttle Resident living shuttles Contact bus services


7. Improve signage at trailheads Project Focus Area: Formation of Trail Maintenance Group TARGET MARKET: Hikers NAMES: Cathy Boden, Kim Hunter, Nancy Schwieger, Jessie Dubuque




1

Contacting existing hiking groups South Coast Striders Muscle Busters Sole Pursuit

2 Develop strategy and plan with maintenance group

3 Assess and Inventory Prioritize trails

Signage General polling of users Work with agencies

4 Training/Safety/Outcomes JHA Establish leaders

5 Easy trail work to build skills and camaraderie

6 Fundraising/Tools and trailer

7 Outreach


Project Focus Area: Improve trailhead signage TARGET MARKET: Hiking NAMES: Candace and Sandy




1 Regional symbol

2 Safety


REGIONAL OUTDOOR RECREATION MAPS Developed by community groups BANDON


PORT ORFORD / LANGLOIS


GOLD BEACH


BROOKINGS

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