RSW Case Study:
Hanging Flume Interpretive Project
Western Colorado Interpretive Association (WCIA)
Background: The Hanging Flume is located on Highway 141 near Uravan, CO. It sits on the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway. The initial interest in preserving and learning more about the Hanging Flume began in 2002.
Project Goals and Objectives: Create interpretive signs, brochures and a website that complement the interpretive plan while preserving and promoting the historical significance of the Hanging Flume. It was also imperative to follow the overall wayfinding plan for the entire Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway to ensure long-term consistency of the brand.
Challenges:
- Remoteness of Hanging Flume
- Received an incomplete interpretive plan created by a previous contractor, but still were obligated to fulfill its goals/objectives/deliverables
- The grant coordinators and funding agencies were anxious to finish the project since it had undergone two deadline extensions
- Limited documentation on construction of Hanging Flume and its key players
- Coordinating and proofing work with various government agencies, funding agencies and partners, historical societies and experts
- Combining a variety of personal and organizational agendas into a cohesive result
Strategies:
- Create a plan of action to complete the projects in the allotted timeframe. This timeframe included ample time for the creative as well as the approval processes.
- Work with local government agencies and historians to determine what parts of the interpretive plan needed updating and revised to meet the realities of the project.
- Gather a large variety of information, research and photos from various sources, verify the facts and debunk the myths. We then took all of this information and wove it into the various media (website, brochure and interpretive signs).
- Apply best practices for Heritage Tourism and interpretive design during our creative process and created pieces that not only informed the visitor, but engaged them in activities as well.
- Create a private website for posting work for approval by multiple parties. Approvers were then notified and given a link to the website, as well as a very strict deadline, by which to reply. Key approvers were personally followed up with to ensure overall compliance with the action plan and approval process.
Results: At the conclusion of the Hanging Flume project, we produced an updated interpretive plan that matched goals of the client and the grant. This new interpretive plan utilized the funds available from the grant more effectively as well. After RSW took over the project, no extension was needed and all deliverables where completed on or before their deadline.
The Hanging Flume brochure was completed and distributed to various visitor centers, government agency offices and other strategic distribution points in time for the 2010 travel season. In the four months the Hanging Flume website has been live, it has seen 361 visitors averaging 3 min 40 sec on the site. We are seeing a steady increase in visitors each month. Six interpretive sign panels were also produced to provide more in-depth interpretation at the Hanging Flume sites.
Client comments: “RSW completed the project on time and exactly within the budget. The website is very user friendly and we expect more visitors as the publicity about the Hanging Flume DVD is released to the public.” ~ Michelle Murphy, Executive Director of WCIA