Marketing and Wayfinding Project
About the Project
The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Council and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission have recently received a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission to develop and implement the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Marketing Plan. The project will increase the economic and tourism impact of the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, an important piece of Northwest Vermont’s regional outdoor recreation infrastructure.
NRPC and the MVRT Council have hired SE Group and Path Less Pedaled to complete the project. Click here for a link to their proposal. The 2-year project will involve both planning and implementation. The funds will be used to:
- clarify marketing goals and develop promotional materials,
- increase use through events and wayfinding,
- support business development, and
- complete trailhead designs.
Steering Committee
The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Council will serve as the Steering Committee for this project. The Council meets bi-monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month. Look for Council agendas and meeting minutes on the Trail Management Section of this website.
Partners
The Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail Council and the Northwest Regional Planning Commission have partnered with a number of organizations for this project, including: RISE VT, Franklin County Recreation Collaborative, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Conway School of Landscape Design, and the towns of Saint Albans, Enosburg Falls, Richford, and Sheldon.
Ways to Get Involved
Public Events
Public events are held throughout the planning process for trail users and stakeholders to share their ideas with the consulting team. For information on upcoming events, see the Public Engagement section of this website.
Website and Online Presence
This website is a tool to provide information and updates on the project and to gather input from the community. We will continue to share information, maps, graphics, and links to deliverables on this website.
Volunteer
As the project continues, we will post on this website about opportunities to lend a hand. We'd love for you to help out!
Public Engagement
Trailhead Design
NRPC and the MVRT Council have contracted with the Conway School for student planning services as part of their graduate program on sustainable landscape planning and design. The services will be completed during the Spring term from April through June of 2019. A team of 2-3 graduate students will prepare preliminary trailhead site designs for three locations along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail. Through the lens of ecological planning, the student team will:
- Conduct an ecological analysis
- Plan and facilitate two community meetings
- Plan for elements such as accessibility, parking, the location of interpretive signs/kiosks, bike racks, picnic areas, shelters, bathroom facilities and potential locations for public art.
- Design the site to capture and recharge as much stormwater as possible, incorporating stormwater best management practices into the plan.
Rail Trail Roundup
SE Group and Path Less Pedaled lead a community visit and trail ride on June 7 and 8, 2019. Below is a video of riding the trail and pictures from the Rail Trail Roundup.
