Pennsylvania Wilds Interpretive Master Plan
In 2009 DCNR selected Imperial Multimedia to complete an interpretive plan that will guide the development of exhibits in five visitor centers and two nature inns (with interpretive features) located within the Pennsylvania Wilds and currently in various stages of development. These sites include (with identified general themes):
Visitor/Interpretive Center Sites
- Sinnemahoning State Park (Wildlife Watching)
- Kinzua Bridge State Park (Viaduct Built to Transport Coal, Timber and Oil)
- S.B. Elliott State Park (The Gateway to PA Wilds)
- Tiadaghton State Forest Resource Management Center (Pine Creek/Water)
- The Pennsylvania Wilds Elk Country Viewing Center (Elk)
- Nature Inn Sites
- Bald Eagle State Park (Birdwatching)
- Parker Dam State Park (Civilian Conservation Corps)
This plan will serve as a foundation for the final exhibit interpretive plans and design/build contracts for each center and nature inn (final exhibit interpretive plans and design/build contracts are not part of this scope of work) and to ensure that all seven sites are connected and complementary to one another.
Plan Goals:
To...
- Develop a set of overarching goals, objectives, themes and subthemes that will apply to all interpretation in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
- Identify specific goals, objectives, themes and sub-themes for the five visitor centers and two nature inns including measurable outputs, outcomes and impacts.
- Incorporate recommendations from all currently existing plans.
- Solicit input from stakeholders and staff.
- Develop conceptual recommendations for the five centers and two nature inns that will guide the development of individual interpretive plans and design/build exhibit plans for each of the facilities. Recommendations should primarily be non-personal(media), but personal (programming) recommendations should be included as identified during the planning process. Include recommendations for connectivity between the five centers and two nature inns.
Additional project steps requested by DCNR included:
- Providing an overview (summary) of current interpretation at the seven locations, both personal and non-personal.
- Developing market segment information for each of the sites from currently existing sources.
- Conducting primary research to identify the interpretive products or programs that best meet the interpretive goals and objectives at each site.
- Soliciting input from interested stakeholders, as well as DCNR staff.
- Developing conceptual recommendations for each site, primarily non-personal, but include any personal recommendations identified during the planning process.
- Provide specific, well-defined recommendations that can go immediately to the development of final interpretive exhibit and design/build plans for each of the sites.