1. 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

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

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

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

5. 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

6. 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. + 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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:

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. Trail Classification System

17. 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.

18. 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

19. Trail Information Management System

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

21. 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.

22. Elk Island Easy Snowshoe SEARCH EXAMPLE

23. Search results

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Thank you!
Merci!