2009 Scenic Byway Awards SHARING SUCCESS & HONORING EXCELLENCE Denver Colorado Congratulations to the 2009 Winners! The AmericaÕs Byways Resource Center and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), are proud to sponsor the 2009 Scenic Byway Awards, and we extend our congratulations to this yearÕs winners. An expert review panel comprised of State, Indian tribe and local byway representatives reviewed many worthy nominations and made recommendations based on four primary criteria: ¥ Community involvement and public outreach ¥ Partnerships ¥ Advancing the goals of the bywayÕs corridor management plan ¥ Innovation The 2009 Scenic Byway Awards showcase eight projects of excellence. The winning projects serve as successful models for other byway organizations and corridors. In addition, the 2009 Scenic Byway Leadership Award honors one outstanding byway leader for her accomplishments, dedication and vision. The National Scenic Byways ProgramÕs success is greatly due to the passion and commitment of our valued byway leaders. We hope the 2009 Scenic Byway Awards will inspire new efforts to preserve, protect, interpret, and promote the intrinsic qualities along your distinctive routes. Table of Contents Award Winners Built Project 4 Fort Steuben Eastern Gateway Visitor Center Ohio River Scenic Byway Ohio Planning 5 Interpretation Grant - Planning and Development of a National Scenic Byway Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Kansas Interpretation 6 Uinta Fossil Journey Film Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway Utah Interpretation 7 Telling the Story of the Sheyenne River Valley Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway North Dakota Marketing 8 Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Marketing Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Mountain Branch Interpretation 9 Revisiting Washington CD and Website Chinook Scenic Byway, Stevens Pass Greenway, International Selkirk Loop, Coulee Corridor, Whidbey Scenic Isleway, Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway, Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, North Cascades Scenic Byway, Okanogan Scenic Byway, North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway, White Pass Scenic Byway, Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Washington Interpretation 10 2007 Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Project Seaway Trail New York and Pennsylvania Visitor Experience 11 Byway Kids Photography Project Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway New Mexico Leadership 12 Roberta Cordova Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Mountain Branch Summary Summary of Winners 13 Acknowledgments 15 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Built Project Fort Steuben Eastern Gateway Visitor Center Byway: Ohio River Scenic Byway State: Ohio Honoring Local History And American Heritage The Fort Steuben Eastern Gateway Visitor Center beside the Ohio River enhances the Ohio River Scenic Byway and the downtown area of Steubenville, Ohio. The centerÕs main building, Fort Steuben Park and Veterans Memorial Fountain welcome hundreds of visitors each year with clean restrooms and tourist information. Residents and travelers alike explore interpretive exhibits and programs at the reconstructed 18th-century fort, enjoy inner-city green space, and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Upper Ohio Valley. The Old Fort Steuben Project, Inc., a nonprofit educational association, coordinated private fundraising efforts to raise matching funds for a National Scenic Byways Discretionary Grant. The organization also received a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation to construct the Visitor Center building. The facility opened in 2003, and has become an impetus for further inner-city redevelopment. In 2006, the Berkman Amphitheater was completed, funded solely by a local businessman. The Fort Steuben Eastern Gateway Visitor Center project is an outstanding example of government and private partnership along the Ohio River Scenic Byway and a model for sharing regional history and American heritage. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Planning Interpretation Grant - Planning and Development of a National Scenic Byway Byway: Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway State: Kansas Partnerships And Professionalism: Planning For Success Anchored by Cheyenne Bottoms, the Nature Conservancy and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway features stunning bird migrations, historic communities, and upward of 60,000 acres of wetlands along the stirring 77-mile route through Central Kansas. A committee of 13 volunteers partnered with local, State and Federal governments and nature-oriented agencies for the interpretive planning and development of the bywayÕs story. The byway group received a National Scenic Byways Program grant and matching monies from Barton County in 2006 to pursue interpretive product development. This allowed the group to seek assistance from Fermata, an organization of nature-based tourism professionals.The planning process involved hosting extensive community meetings, consulting experts and establishing an accessible online communication venue to encourage public and partner participation. The selected theme, Motion And Change, covered five experiential components: Wetlands; Birds And Wildlife; Geology And The Landscape; Weather; and The Movement of Man. Today, the bywayÕs interpretive plan complements its corridor management plan in flexible and focused ways. The plan continues to guide the bywayÕs growth and strengthen its sustainability. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Interpretation Uinta Fossil Journey Film Byway: Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway State: Utah Engaging Audiences Through A Theater And Film The Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, Utah has successfully served as the portal and orientation center for the Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway since the bywayÕs creation in 1998. In 2004, the State of Utah completed a new museum there. The new facility offers visitors an eleven-minute orientation film, ÒUinta Fossil Journey,Ó emphasizing experiences in surrounding public lands. The film follows a day in the life of paleontologists and interweaves scientific concepts with the processes of discovery. It succinctly communicates information about the areaÕs intrinsic qualitiesÑdiverse scenic, geological and recreational resources, as well as ancient and modern wildlife. The theater is staged with murals, a truck, large crates and accessories mimicking a paleontology expedition. The National Scenic Byways Program grant funded the film and theater, and funds from private and public sectors secured other project components. Visitors encounter current, accurate, educational, scientific and engaging experiences of the Uinta Mountain region through this effective film and its theater. The project enhanced the museumÕs role as the byway portal and orientation center. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Interpretation Telling the Story of the Sheyenne River Valley Byway: Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway State: North Dakota Interpretive Panels Tell Of The People And The Land The Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway features a 330-foot-deep glacial meltwater trench through northeastern North Dakota Ð a captivating contrast to the StateÕs flat terrain. Interpretation on the byway showcases all six intrinsic values, promoting historic preservation as it tells the bywayÕs story of the relationship between people and the land. Committee members visited ten national byways in seven States to research interpretive styles. A series of public meetings with local leaders and interested citizens, plus representatives from various government agencies, provided input. Twenty-six funding partners, including the National Scenic Byways Program, supported the forty interpretive panels and ten attraction kiosks that comprise the project. The panels span topics from Ice Age glaciers to early churches, and each panel is unique. A map indicates that panelÕs location along the byway. Each exhibit is customized with a thematic background. Attraction kiosks also show a byway map; some include brochure holders, bulletin cases and registration boxes. All the signage and marketing components complement the projectÕs design standards. This provides a cohesive element that supports wayfinding and enhances the visitor experience. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Marketing Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Marketing Byway: Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway State: Colorado Byway Marketing Benefits Local Community Economies The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway marketing efforts began with regional planning meetings and collaborative workshops geared toward building consensus and credibility within the bywayÕs communities. Valuable input from stakeholders and community representatives honed the marketing direction. It also helped to identify the bywayÕs unique qualities, sites of importance and potential markets. One goal targeted extending visitorsÕ stays. A complementary goal sought to entice tourists off the main routes to explore the history along the Santa Fe Trail. The group worked with community leaders and partners to market historic sites, announce local events, and tell the bywayÕs stories with creativity and accuracy.Several marketing components helped to achieve the goals, such as hosting the Colorado Grassroots Training Program, updating the marketing plan, creating a robust website and compelling brochure, participating in the Rocky Mountain PBS documentary and completing a promotional car-tour CD. The Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic BywayÕs cost-effective marketing efforts have paid off. The byway has shown an increase in visitors. In addition, stakeholders have seen the value of the bywayÕs brand for stimulating their local economies. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Interpretation Revisiting Washington CD and Website Byways: Chinook Scenic Byway, Stevens Pass Greenway, International Selkirk Loop, Coulee Corridor, Whidbey Scenic Isleway, Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway, Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, North Cascades Scenic Byway, Okanogan Scenic Byway, North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway, White Pass Scenic Byway, Pacific Coast Scenic Byway State: Washington Tapping The PastÕs Stories With TodayÕs Technology The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation led the Revisiting Washington project, producing an interactive, multi-media travel guide that updates the StateÕs classic 1941 Works Progress Administration (WPA) guidebook, ÒWashington: A Guide to the Evergreen State.Ó The Ògreen guidesÓ themselves are artifacts from the nationÕs Great Depression and Federal New Deal history. When the 1941 WPA Driving Guide map was overlaid with the current map of twenty-two Washington scenic byways, fourteen of the StateÕs routes matched. The project retraced WashingtonÕs guidebook journey with a modern wandererÕs tools, including a handheld GPS unit and other digital technology, such as Flash programming and PDFs. Researchers gathered information in the field and invited community involvement through their queries. The final product featured an interactive website (www.revisitingwashington.org) and complimentary CDs that promoted heritage tourism and highlighted historic resources along the byways. The StateÕs entire scenic byway program benefited from the project. The visual presentation echoes the historic narrative text and welcomes all generations of travelers. History comes alive through the fun and captivating presentation. Not surprisingly, the product has enjoyed great public appeal. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Interpretation 2007 Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Project Byway: Seaway Trail States: New York and Pennsylvania Diving Deep To Share A Maritime Heritage The Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail project combined traditional exhibit and expert-speaker elements with a new theme-based outdoor storyteller interpretive signage system. It comprehensively featured land-based and underwater maritime heritage resources exclusive to the Seaway Trail. The project empowered the Seaway Trail Foundation to partner with dynamic organizers, such as those at the New York Sea Grant, and renowned sponsors and speakers who helped to engage new public audiences. Byway-based program hosts linked the theme to the byway, and Seaway Trail Discovery Center exhibits and activities as well as a website further reinforced the experience. The Seaway Trail capitalized on its geographic positioning to partner with science-based organizations, educational groups and relevant businesses. The Associated Press even highlighted the byway as a fantastic freshwater destination for scuba divers and history buffs, garnering international recognition for the route. Attendance rose 24 percent and retail sales increased 7 percent at the Discovery Center from 2006 to 2007 during the project. Combining resources, knowledge and platforms into one theme-based series exhibited the byway in its entiretyÑa critical project objectiveÑand rekindled a spirit of local stewardship for the historic dive sites. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Visitor Experience Byway Kids Photography Project Byway: Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway State: New Mexico Cultural Heritage Through ChildrenÕs Eyes The Trail of the Mountain Spirits Byway became an outdoor classroom for the Scenic Byway Kids Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument 100th Anniversary Photography Program. San Lorenzo Elementary School fourth- and fifth-grade students received a single-use camera to take photos during a field trip to the monument. They also participated in the Junior Ranger program, which further developed an appreciation and respect for cultural heritage sites and public lands. The studentsÕ photography was displayed at key heritage tourism sites across southwest New Mexico, and the Silver City Daily Press printed their images. The project provided a solid learning opportunity that the school could not have afforded or staffed alone. It also drew the community into the project and educated adults as well as students about the areaÕs cultural heritage sites. It simultaneously helped to convey information about the byway program to citizens. Partnerships between the byway and several public organizations, businesses and community groups worked to stage this successful learning opportunity. This cooperative approach reinforced the bywayÕs importance among stakeholders. Through the eyes of children, adults could see the byway experience and the areaÕs treasured heritage in new ways. 2009 Scenic Byway Award Winner - Leadership Roberta Cordova Byway: Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway State: Colorado Success Through Passion And Perseverance Roberta Cordova has selflessly devoted over twenty years of her heart and soul to protect and promote ColoradoÕs Santa Fe Trail. Her love for the trailÕs history, her strong leadership skills, and her expansive popularity among peers reinforced RobertaÕs ability to assist in organizing and planning with Federal, State, county and city stakeholders to attain the routeÕs multiple designations, including National Scenic Byway. Roberta has worked closely with a large group of Santa Fe Trail enthusiasts from the five trail States, including Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico, and helped to plan the first multi-State symposium of stakeholdersÑa biennial gathering still held today. Over 350 participants attended the 2007 four-day event, enjoying tours, historic lectures and workshops. Her list of achievements stretches long, from reorganizing the byway groupÕs structure to engaging media and making public appearances. RobertaÕs vision included significant partnerships, and through her efforts, the visitor experience and sustainability of the historic Santa Fe Trail has benefited greatly. Because of her passion, perseverance and countless volunteer hours, she is a deserving recipient of the 2009 Scenic Byway Leadership Award. Summary of winners Built Project, Page 4 Fort Steuben Eastern Gateway Visitor Center Ohio River Scenic Byway Ohio Contact: Judy Bratten, Executive Director 120 3rd Street Steubenville, Ohio 43952 Phone: 740-283-1787, 866-301-1787 E-mail: judy@oldfortsteuben.com Planning, Page 5 Interpretation Grant - Planning and Development of a National Scenic Byway Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Kansas Contact: Janet Crane, Project Coordinator Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway Barton County, Kansas 1400 Main Street,ÊRoom 107 Great Bend, Kansas 67530 Phone: 620-793-1800 E-mail: jcrane@bartoncounty.org Interpretation, Page 6 Uinta Fossil Journey Film Flaming Gorge-Uintas Scenic Byway Utah Contact: Karen Krieger Utah State Parks 1594 West North Temple, Ste 116 Salt Lake City, UtahÊ 84114-6001 Phone: 801-538-7367 E-mail: karenkrieger@utah.gov Interpretation, Page 7 Telling the Story of the Sheyenne River Valley Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway North Dakota Contact: Bobby Koepplin 1105 7th Street SE Valley City, North Dakota 58072 Phone: 701-845-2251 E-mail: bkoepplin@kwh.com Marketing, Page 8 Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Marketing Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Mountain Branch Contact: Wyvonne Phillips Graham P.O. Box 118 Trinidad, Colorado 81082 Phone: 719-846-2396 E-mail: wyvonne@hughes.net Interpretation, Page 9 Revisiting Washington CD and Website Chinook Scenic Byway, Stevens Pass Greenway, International Selkirk Loop, Coulee Corridor, Whidbey Scenic Isleway, Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway, San Juan Islands Scenic Byway, Mt. Baker Scenic Byway, North Cascades Scenic Byway, Okanogan Scenic Byway, North Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway, White Pass Scenic Byway, Pacific Coast Scenic Byway Washington Contact: Jennifer Meisner, Executive Director Washington Trust for Historic Preservation Stimson-Green Mansion 1204 Minor Avenue Seattle, Washington 98101 Phone: 206-624-9449 E-mail: jmeisner@wa-trust.org Interpretation, Page 10 2007 Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Project Seaway Trail New York and Pennsylvania Contact: Teresa Mitchell, President and CEO Seaway Trail, Inc. 401 W. Main Street P.O. Box 660 Sackets Harbor, New York 13685 Phone: 315-646-1000 Fax: 315-646-1004 E-mail: teresa@seawaytrail.com Visitor Experience, Page 11 Byway Kids Photography Project Trail of the Mountain Spirits Scenic Byway New Mexico Contact: Marilyn Markel P.O. Box 191 Mimbres, New Mexico 88049 Phone: 575-536-9337 E-mail: markel@gilanet.com Leadership, Page 12 Roberta Cordova Santa Fe Trail Scenic and Historic Byway Colorado Mountain Branch Contact: Roberta Cordova P.O. Box 118 Trinidad, Colorado 81082 Phone: 719-846-7721 E-mail: rscordova@mindspring.com Acknowledgments 2009 Scenic Byway Award Sponsors AmericaÕs Byways Resource Center www.bywaysresourcecenter.org Byway leaders, local groups, volunteers, organizations and State coordinators responsible for the planning and marketing involved with nationally designated byways look to the AmericaÕs Byways Resource Center for the training, information and expertise that pave the way to better byways. AASHTO www.transportation.org The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is the voice for transportation and catalyst for organizational and technical excellence, advocating for transportation-related policies and supporting State efforts to efficiently and safely move people and goods. Federal Highway Administration www.bywaysonline.org The Federal Highway Administration leads and manages the National Scenic Byways Program, which supports community-based byway organizations working to protect, interpret and promote the intrinsic qualities of their respective nationally designated American roads. With Appreciation Special thanks to the members of the competition review panel for sharing their considerable expertise to help select the 2009 Scenic Byway Award recipients. Anaise Berry Director llinois River Road National Scenic Byway Peoria, Illinois Garry Balogh Environmental Scientist/Scenic Highways Coordinator Florida Department of Transportation/Environmental Management Office Deland, Florida Annette Nesse Chief Operations Officer Jamestown SÕKlallam Tribe Sequim, Washington Joseph Jarzen Executive Director Indiana National Road Association Cambridge City, Indiana Cindy Bloom-Cronin State Byways Coordinator New Jersey Department of Transportation-Landscape and Urban Design Trenton, New Jersey AmericaÕs Byways Resource Center 394 Lake Avenue South, Suite 600 Duluth, MN 55802 Toll-Free Number: 866-974-6403 www.BywaysResourceCenter.org AmericaÕs Byways Resource Center is a division of the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This material is based upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration and Arrowhead Regional Development Commission under cooperative agreement No. DTFH61-08-H-00007. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the Author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Federal Highway Administration and/or Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission is an equal opportunity employer. Printed on 100% post-consumer waste.