Interpretive master plans are essential tools that guide the development of visitor services at a site or facility. To create a meaningful and useful document, planners must immerse themselves in the stories of the site. Our team spends a significant amount of time onsite, talking with stakeholders, interviewing visitors, and inventorying resources.

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Contents of a Master Plan   Recent Projects Completed Examples of completed Master Plans

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Contents of an Interpretive Master Plan

Interpretive Master Plans document the entire planning process, from vision to conceptual designs.

The final plans we develop vary in content and depth. Most will include:

• Mission and goals analysis (written and unwritten)
• Visitor studies (existing and information we gather during the process
• Tangible resource inventory with associated intangible meanings
• Theme and message development (the big ideas and the stories to tell through interpretation)
• Conceptual facility development/architectural program (visitor flow, space designation and size, visitor experience, building materials, sustainable features)
• Conceptual site development (trail systems, surfaces, roads, parking, landscaping, wayfinding)
• Interpretive media and program concepts (purpose, measurable objectives, descriptions, illustrations)

The plans are designed visually and printed in full-color to facilitate stakeholder discussions and encourage fundraising. Clients also receive the original digital files of the plan for future printing, and high quality digital photographs taken during the planning process.

Click here to view Interpretive Master Plan examples

Recent Projects Completed

Our recent master planning projects include:

• Illinois Historic Route 66: Interpretive Master Plan. 2008. Planned interpretive opportunities along the Route 66 National Scenic Byway, a 400-mile segment from Chicago to St. Louis with 90 communities. Patty Ambrose, Executive Director, Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project, 217-525-9308. Click here to see plan

• Addendum to the Illinois Lincoln Highway interpretive master plan. 2007. Bonnie Heimbach, Project Director, Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition, 866-455-4249.

• Interpretive master plan for Lost River Cave and Valley in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 2006. Rho Lansden, Executive Director, 866-274-2283. Click here to see plan

• Interpretive master plan for Great River Road Visitor Center in Prescott, WI. 2005. Mike Hunter, Prescott Mayor, 715-262-5544. Click here to see plan

• Interpretive master plan for Mead Wildlife Area Education Center in Milladore, WI. 2005. Tom Meier, property supervisor, Mead Wildlife Area, 715-457-6771.

• Interpretive master plan and building redevelopment for Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation in Sanibel, FL. 2004. Melissa Upton, nature center manager, 239-472-2329. Click here to see plan

• Interpretive master plan for the Illinois Lincoln Highway. 2004. Bonnie Heimbach, Project Director, Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition, 866-455-4249.

• Planners for Arkansas River Valley Nature Center at Fort Smith (2003), Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center at Jonesboro (2002), and Delta Rivers Nature Center at Pine Bluff, AR (2001) as contracted with Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Lead development of these regional environmental centers. Scott Henderson, Director, Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas, 501-223-6448.

• Planners for Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas. 2001. Jay Miller, Chief of Interpretation, Arkansas State Parks, 501-682-2187.

• Planners for Lorance Creek State Heritage Preserve Boardwalk Trail, Arkansas National Heritage Commission/MESA. 2001.

• Served as primary advisor to the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission in a statewide project to develop regional nature centers. 1999. Scott Henderson, Director, Arkansas Fish & Game Commission, Little Rock, Arkansas, 501-223-6448.

• Implementation Plan for Great Lakes Scenic Byway. 1996. Anne Okonek, District Ranger, Hiawatha National Forest, MI, (906) 474-6442.

• Interpretive Master Plan and Exhibit Plan, Beaver Creek Reserve, Wise Nature Center. 1993. Rick Koziel, Eau Claire, WI, (715) 877-2212.

• Interpretive Master Plan and Exhibit Concept Plan, Florence Natural Resources and Information Center. 1992. Dave Majewski, Project Coordinator, Florence, WI, (715) 582-3207.

• The Great Divide National Forest Scenic Byway Master Plan, Chequamegon National Forest. 1991. Susan Nelson, Forest Recreation Planner, Park Falls, WI, (715) 762-5155.

• Whitefish Bay National Forest Scenic Byway Master Plan, Hiawatha National Forest. 1989. Deborah Holmes, District Interpretive Specialist, Sault St. Marie, MI, (906) 635-5311.

• Mead Wildlife Area (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). Interpretive and Educational Master Plan. 1989. Tom Meier, Manager, Junction City, WI, (715) 457-6771.

• Iroquois Point Lighthouse Interpretive Master Plan, Hiawatha National Forest. 1985. Deborah Holmes, District Interpretive Specialist, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, (906) 635-5311.

 

Interpretive Services Offered

Team Members

Planning Philosophy

Master Planning Projects

Media Design Projects

Workshops and Training

Publications and Plans

Gallery of Media Projects

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