Water Trail Planning: Key Steps to Success

Janit Llewellyn Allen Virginia Department of Conservation and

Recreation

What is a water trail? • Access points • Support facilities • Maps • Signage • Management • Emergency services

Why do communities support water trails? • Economic • Recreation • Restoration &

conservation • Sustainable

Community vitality and tourism • Enhance sense of place • Tell stories • Connect to land based recreation • Support river towns

New Point Comfort Yorktown

Economics • Promote local business • Increase length of stay

Ballou Park - Danville

Essex Inn - Tappahannock

Roanoke River Basin Association ‐ Upper Reach Blueways

Virginia Tobacco Indemnification & Community Revitalization Commission

Agricultural & Applied Economics Department College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Virginia Tech

November 2014

Assessing Economic Impacts of Ecotourism in the Roanoke River Basin: Metrics Program

Development Services

(Mike Ellerbrock, 2014)

Water Trails & Blueways

When you visit the Roanoke River Basin, which activities do you typically enjoy (check all that apply)? Kayaking or canoeing 79% Day hiking or bird-watching/wildlife observation 44% Onshore fishing 22% Camping 29% Other 22%

Source: Assessing Economic Impacts of Ecotourism in the Roanoke River Basin: Metrics Program Development Services – November 2014

Water Trails & Blueways

The 107 survey responses reported the expenditure behaviors of 361 individuals. Survey respondents (RRB residents and visitors) collectively spent weighted average expenditures per person on the following items. Category $ per Day Equipment Rentals $8.49 Equipment Purchases 25.00 Lodging 15.33 Food 47.64 Transportation/Fuel 44.81 Shopping 30.19 Activities/Entertainment 26.42 Guided Trip Fees 9.43 Other 18.16 TOTAL $225.47

Source: Assessing Economic Impacts of Ecotourism in the Roanoke River Basin: Metrics Program Development Services – November 2014

Water Trails & Blueways

Based solely on the data received from 107 Survey Responses, 1,227 individuals paddled 3.4 times per year and spent $225.47 per person per day, thereby generating: $567,135 of Output ($276,651 direct + $290,484 indirect) $625,231 of Income ($276,651 direct +$348,580 indirect) and 15.7 Jobs (9.23 direct + 6.47 indirect) in the Roanoke River Basin.

Source: Assessing Economic Impacts of Ecotourism in the Roanoke River Basin: Metrics Program Development Services – November 2014

Summary of Total Economic Impact of Boating In Virginia Using 5 Measures

($ Millions & Jobs)

Impacts

Output $Millions

Value Added

Income Employment

Taxes

Direct $596.8 $284.7 $183.4 5,476 $42.9

Indirect $239.1 $137.3 $81.1 1,602 $11.5

Induced $206.9 $122.9 $64.9 1,655 $14.5

Total $1,042.9 $544.9 $329.4 8,732 $68.9

Tomas Murray, The Economic Significance of Recreational Boating in Virginia, Virginia River Recreation Workshop September 18, 2014

Statewide Economic Impact Compared to Other Virginia Industries

Output ($ Billions)

Income ($ Billions)

Employ-ment (# Jobs)

Recreational Boating (2011) $1.04 $.48 8,732 VPA Operations (2006)

$4.5 $1.6 35,665

Equine Industry (2010)

$1.20 $.50 16,091

Commercial & Recreational Fishing

$1.23 $.72 9,092

Tomas Murray, The Economic Significance of Recreational Boating in Virginia, Virginia River Recreation Workshop September 18, 2014

Water trail basics Partnerships Community

engagement

Diversity

Wellness

Education

Stewardship & Conservation

Businesses

Volunteers

Government

Non-profit

Partnership – Non-profit • Managing entity

Partnership - Government Captain John Smith National Historic Trail

Interstate & Interagency Projects Supporting Ecotourism

Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

Boaters Guide Smart Buoys Apps

Interstate & Interagency Projects Supporting Ecotourism

Partnership - Volunteers • Report to local/regional management • Community involvement • Outreach & programming

Batteau Festival James River Cleanup

Partnership - Business

Community Engagement Stewardship & Conservation

• Leave no Trace • Users as caretakers • Protect and restore

Community Engagement Education • Elevates resource awareness • Enhances experience

Community Engagement Wellness

Northwest River Park – Chesapeake

First Landing State Park – Virginia Beach

Community Engagement Diversity • Attract all users

Community Engagement Regional

The Blueway’s three rivers — the Dan, the Staunton (or Roanoke) and the Banister

Water trail opportunities • Create multi-jurisdictional and multi-state

partnerships • Provide for top outdoor recreation need • Increase local economies • Interpret heritage and cultural resources • Promote active lifestyles

Janit Llewellyn Allen Department of Conservation and Recreation Janit.llewellyn@dcr.virginia.gov 804-786-0887

If not noted - Photos credited in the 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan

Extra slides for webinar presentation

What do water trail providers need?

• Local or regional managing organization • Ability to develop maps and signage • Recruit and manage volunteers • Provide for public safety and rescue • Identify support resources • Pursue funding

Water trail use

• Day use • Overnight floats • Local recreation • Destination tourism

Resources to define a water trail

• Website • Trail map & guides • Signage • Tourism and public relations

Signage

Positioning for Funding Water Trails

Water Trail Toolbox: How to Plan, Build, and Manage a Water Trail

http://www.baygateways.net/watertrailtools.cfm

Resources

http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/CanoeingKayaking/WaterTrailDevelopmentTools/WaterTrailsToolkit.aspx