TWO NIGHT AGENDA. Wednesday Oct Big Ideas, Big Goals Who wants to eat the cake?

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2 TWO NIGHT AGENDA Wednesday Oct Big Ideas, Big Goals Who wants to eat the cake? Survey and background info Case studies Promising projects Thursday Oct Making it Real Who wants to help make the cake? Wednesday night results report back Implementation strategies Priorities by use category

3 WED NIGHT AGENDA Wednesday Oct Big Ideas, Big Goals 1. Introduction: who, when, why 15 min 2. What s Happening Now 30 min Survey results; Trends, Case Studies 3. Goals/project selection criteria 15 min 4. Gaps: Improving the Outdoor 60 min Recreation System 5. Next steps 15 min (We hope before 9 TH Inning Of World Series)

4 1. INTRODUCTION Project Purpose and Strategy: Goal: 10 year outdoor recreation action plan (not just facilities; includes, programs, marketing/information) Means: Community Partnerships (Not Just the USFS) Schedule: Public input & background research July-Sept 10 Draft recommendations out for discussion Oct Further community review, refinement Nov Draft Plan completed Dec Further community review, refinement Jan/Feb 11 Approval by partners Feb/Mar

5 1. INTRODUCTION Who s Involved: Steering Committee & Community City and Borough of Sitka State of Alaska Division of Parks; National Park Service Community Organizations, including Sitka Trail Works Sitka Conservation Society Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau SEARHC/CHS Sitka Tribal Tours Specific interest groups, including Older (Vintage) Residents + Visitors; ATV users Tourism Businesses Youth/High School Mountain Bike interests USFS convener of process, one of many partners

6 SUSTAINABLE RECREATION FRAMEWORK National USFS initiative New focus on Outdoor recreation Partnerships Sustainability economy, community, environment

7 SUSTAINABLE RECREATION FRAMEWORK What the heck is Sustainable? Durable Materials Right Scale (ambitious, but practical) Community Support Community Resources (volunteers, local materials, equipment, etc.) Minimal Environmental Impact Most Bang for the buck Longevity Recognize Limits

8 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW EXISTING SYSTEM - Diverse

9 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW EXISTING SYSTEM - Cooperative

10 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW EXISTING SYSTEM Strengths & Gaps Picture of kids in park Picture of kids playing in neighborhood park

11 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW EXISTING SYSTEM Strengths & Gaps

12 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW SURVEY + FOCUS GROUPS Conducted surveys: Cruise visitors (92) Independent travelers ( B&Bs) Outfitter-guides (20+) Residents (145) Conducted focus groups: Community leaders, Vintage, Recreation/Trail Users, Businesses

13 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW SURVEY + FOCUS GROUP RESULTS Everybody loves Sitka (beauty, authenticity) Recreation Maintain and expand recreation infrastructure Programming + education for safety, for fun Many ideas for facilities: trails + pedestrian routes, hut-to-hut systems (kayak/hiking), town to wilderness connections Realism: can t build/maintain everything (don t just keep building new if we can t maintain what we ve got) Tourism People who visit want to spend more time here Diverse interests: fish, shop, hike, kayak People want to learn about Sitka from the Internet Need to manage tourism (minimize negative impacts; signage, visitor info, congestion etc.)

14 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW TRENDS BEYOND SITKA Aging baby boom (60 million strong, many are wealthy, interested in active, cultural, educational travel ) New distractions New, national focus on health, obesity (offers resources for programs, projects) Case studies (places where outdoor recreation is a powerful economic engine)

15 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW CASE STUDY METHOW VALLEY Partners Methow Valley Sport Trails Assoc. USFS, City Governments, State Private landowners (trail easements) Chambers of Commerce Methow Conservancy Four season recreation 200 kilometers of trails; half on USFS, remainder largely on private lands Results: Sustained ranching/farmlifestlyes Trails annually generate about $4.5 million directly, another $4.1 million indirectly $2.7 million annually through related industry earnings Over 2000 jobs can be directly accredited to the network of trails and related land. One of the finest trail systems in North America for nordic skiing, mountain biking and hiking

16 2. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW TRENDS MOAB, UTAH Partners Moab Area Travel Council National Park Service USFS, Utah State Parks & State Forests Attractions National Parks: Canyonlands, Arches; Colorado River Mountain biking, off road vehicles San Juan Huts System Results 100,000 annual riders on Slickrock Trail In 1995 $86 million spent by visitors; tourism supported 1,750 jobs, $1.7 million in taxes, 78% of local economy source: trust for public land Sept 2010; 8 (old) guys; 7 days riding; 6 huts; 215 miles; +/-$2000 spent each; A truly great trip

17 3. WHAT S HAPPENING NOW TRENDS - SITKA General increase in recreation by residents + visitors As facilities built/improved + programming/information connects more people with outdoors Independent visitors: Lower numbers statewide, but steady in Sitka, repeatvisitors, stay longer, spend more per capita Cruise ship visitors: Dramatic reduction in recent years (loss of 100,000 berths) Slow steady trend towards younger, more recreationoriented visitors

18 3. GOALS/PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA Discussion - Full group 15 minutes a) What s meant by project selection criteria b) Review/refine ideas listed to date (see poster)

19 3. GOALS/PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA Improve local quality of life; make it easier to lead an active, healthy life Attract and retain employees Strengthen the local economy Help create a stronger brand for Sitka Simultaneously benefit residents and visitors.

20 3. GOALS/PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA Provide recreation opportunities that serve a wide range of users: Different ages: Diverse interests: Diverse locations: Accessible across skill & income levels Facilities that comply with ADA Year round Backyard Out of town campground s, trails In town (parks trails, open space) The Stepping Stones Approach Wilderness

21 3. GOALS/PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA Strengthen a sense of stewardship More than just facilities: programs, marketing, interpretation, wayfinding Smaller near term & larger long term projects Sustainable? over the long term: Durability Longevity Right Scale Community Resources Community Support Environmental Impact Bang for the buck Limits

22 4. Gaps: Improving the Outdoor Recreation System Breakout Groups 60 min Go to at least three groups, 20 minutes per group Review posters & handout - identify gaps facilities, programs, marketing, information Identify projects that best meet the criteria, building from starting lists: project = facilities, programs marketing, information Draft a record keeper & spokesperson for each group (someone who will attend on Thursday night) Begin thinking about partners for each

23 CATEGORIES OF PROJECT IDEAS Different user groups have different needs: Center of town/day visitors & residents Around town and Edge/Near town Out of town Adventure Specific Activities (e.g., ATV, winter sports, cultural rec, scuba, mountain biking) Youth + Families with young Children Older (Vintage) Residents + Visitors

24 TWO NIGHT AGENDA Wednesday Oct Big Ideas, Big Goals Thursday Oct Making it Real Report back on Wed night results Vote on priorities by category Work on implementation strategies; define partners

25 Stay in the loop Let us know what you think, and how you can help! ( ask not what ) Sign up for list Carol Goularte District Ranger, Sitka Ranger Station Tongass National Forest cgoularte@fs.fed.us Heather Stewart, Chris Beck Agnew::Beck Consulting heather@agnewbeck.com