Introduction to Trail Classification System and the Trail Information Management System and their Application to Visitor Experience Trailhead Canada Conference, November 22, 2017 Michel Blais Véronique Pelletier Visitor Experience Infrastructure Officers, Trails We are here to present on the trail classification system and the trail information management system I will provide a bit of background on Trails at Parks Canada and the Trail Program while Michel will focus on the overview of the tools. Before we do so, since we are all passionate about trails, I brougth some of our great trails to you with a little quiz

West Coast Trail Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Sentier de la Côte-Ouest Réserve de parc national Pacific Rim

Skyline Trail Cape Breton Highlands National Park Sentier Skyline Parc national des Hautes-Terres-du-Cap-Breton

Cirque of Unclimbables Nahanni National Park Reserve Northwest Territories Cirque des Parois impossibles Réserve de parc national Nahanni Territoires du Nord-Ouest

Parks Canada 101 Our Mandate: On behalf of the people of Canada, we protect and present nationally significant examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations. Mandate guides all we do at Parks Canada Key words highlighted

Parks Canada 101 Places we manage 46 National Parks and National Park Reserves 168 National Historic Sites 4 National Marine Conservation Areas 1 National Urban Park 1 Canadian Landmark

+ 7,000 km of trails As many experiences… We have trails in all national sites for a total of over 7,000 km of trails We have as many experiences

Parks Canada Trails Which such a variety of trails… Complex to manage Complex to promote to our visitors With such a variety of trails, it could be complexe to manage, to promote to our visitors

Parks Canada Trails… used to be considered simply as “an appropriate activity”. have been in most cases inherited or developed organically overtime, not planned. As a results some of the trails are difficult and expensive to maintain

Now, our trails… Are considered key visitor experience products. As such, they need to be planned and designed to ensure successful trail systems. Now, our trails… Are considered key visitor experience products and they attract visitors to our sites.

Success means… Protect natural and cultural resources through appropriate routing, design, and construction. Provide memorable visitor experiences by leading visitors to inspirational places. In term of successful trail systems, we mean that they:

Success means… Create educational opportunities by facilitating interactions with places. Decrease long-term maintenance costs. Then Trails are a way to deliver on our mandate of Protecting Presenting Natural and cultural ressources

The National Trail Program The National Trail Program aims at helping sites to achieve sustainable and successful trail system addressing these challenges promoting trails to visitors

The National Trail Program Provides national direction (standards, guidelines, etc). Provides support to sites in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of their trail systems.

Trail Program Tools Trail Principles Trail Classification System Overarching document Trail Principles Trail Classification System Framework Tools integrating trail principles and framework Trail Development Tools Trail Management Tools Trail Communication Tools This graphic shows how the trail program is structured Trail Principles: provide directions to trail development and management Trail Classification System: provides the framework Under we have all the tools which integrates principles and framework which are divided into 3 categories Michel will expand on two tools Trail Information Management System

Trail Classification System

Trail Classification System A tool that provides essential information to Parks Canada and to visitors of Parks Canada sites. Provides precise information so that Parks Canada can make important decisions about developing, maintaining and managing of trails. RATING EASY MODERATE DIFFICULT ROUTE Symbol Trail managers require objective information on trails and their conditions to monitor trends, direct trail maintenance efforts, and evaluate the need for visitor management and resource protection actions. Results for managers Trail Type Classification (how to manage trails) Trail Rating Classification (how to present to visitors) Results for visitors Trail rating classification provides guidelines for visitors to help them make informed decisions before heading out on a trail. This is an important aspect of the trail classification system in that it provides a framework for consistent messaging to allow the visitor to gauge whether a particular trail will provide the experience they are looking for and whether it is within their abilities.

Trail Classification System Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4: Route Developed Easy Well-marked Level of service: High Natural Tread Difficult Few signage Level of service: Low Not developed Very difficult No signage Level of service: N/A Trails classification could be seen as a continuum: At one end, we have: developed wide trail (paved or not) Well-signed, (directional signs, markers) Family-friendly, for visitor with few experiences with trails We maintained on a regular basis LEGACY TRAIL At the other end, we have: Narrow, single track trail, natural surface Few signs, markers For visitors with experience – that a lot of signage may distract from experience We maintained less often BACKCOUNTRY TRAILS Outside of the spectrum, we have the routes basically point A and a point B and visitors find their routes not maintained, not signed For visitors with lots of trails experience, looking for challenges. SO Level of development decreases Level of maintenance decreases Level of risk mitigation decreases

Trail Information Management System

The system provides tools for trail managers enabeling them to provide up to date information relating to the conditions of a trail.

On top of providing essential information to our visitors, the system also serves as a database for all the trails at Parks Canada and will become a essential tool in trail management. Seen here HTML and mobile format of the system.

Elk Island Easy Snowshoe SEARCH EXAMPLE

Search results

Google Streetview integration: in Ontario currently at 16 historic sites and 8 national parks and marine conservation areas in Quebec currently in 20 historic sites and 3 national parks for a total of 130 sites across the country.

Additional potential for the visitor information tool Adding the location of visitor centers, toilets, parkings lots, trailheads and other information relevant for our visitors. Releasing the trail information as « open data ». Additional potential for the visitor information tool. Parking locations and other relevant information.

Thank you! Merci!