Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
perspective, these are often essential. Perhaps one of the most famous exam-
ples of trail softening is the information visitors receive at Grand Canyon
National Park, Arizona. On the South Rim, message boards advise people not
to hike to the river and back in one day, especially between the months of
May and September, noting 'there are no easy trails into or out of the Grand
Canyon' and that they should 'hike smart'. Information is also clearly posted
at the trailhead leading into the canyon about the physical distance involved,
estimated time needed, and there are signs warning people with serious
health issues not walk the trail. As regards people with disabilities, managers
have the right and responsibility to give advice on the appropriateness of
trails and safety concerns. Hardening and softening are therefore effective
forms of trail management.
Tracking visitor numbers
Finally, from a supply perspective, keeping track of visitor numbers and
their patterns of use is an important part of trail management. This is often
achieved by way of registration stations at various entry points along a trail.
These allow managers to enumerate visitation rates and visitor characteris-
tics, collect user fees when necessary and glean information about people's
whereabouts for safety and security reasons. Scotter (1981) studied trail reg-
istration boxes and discovered several reasons people failed to use them,
some of which have to do with structural issues: they did not see the register
box or sign, they did not bother to read the sign, they did not understand its
purpose or importance, or other people were standing at the box so they felt
it would take too long to wait.
Research has shown how design actions can help increase (or decrease)
registration rates. For instance, Petersen's (1985) study found that sign visi-
bility, sign message, the condition of registry stations, registration card
design and station locations influence registration rates. Of these influential
factors, location was the most impactful in getting people to record their trail
use. Petersen found that moving the control sign from the trailhead to a
point further along the route nearly doubled the percentage of people com-
plying. Several basic principles were outlined by Petersen (1985) for creating
more successful registration efforts. Signs and registration boxes should be
visible from reasonably far distances. Sites should afford equestrians safe and
sizeable places to stop and dismount. And, registration spots will be most
effective if placed where people naturally stop to drink, take pictures, rest or
view a scenic attraction.
Demand perspectives
This section now examines management techniques that are demand-
driven, as shown in Table 7.1, including education, interpretation, visitor
monitoring, developing targeted marketing and implementing fees/funding
arrangements to enable trail development and administration.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search