Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 27, 2006
Contact:
Virginia State Parks developing new visitor information system
RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has contractedwith Imperial Multimedia of Baraboo Wisconsin to develop a new interactivevisitor information system. The Virginia State Parks Interpretive InformationSystem uses outdoor, weather and vandal resistant, touch screen, interactiveinformation kiosks to provide park guests with state park and local attractionsinformation around the clock.
The new system will be installed in 31 state parks by Spring 2007. The proprietaryinformation program builds on a system that has been successfully used inthe Wisconsin State Park system.
The Interpretive Information System Imperial developed exclusively for VirginiaState Parks includes GPS based trail information, wildlife spotting guides,in-depth information on park amenities, printable guides and maps, programdescriptions, schedules and more. The stations will also provide interactivevirtual tours of every trail in each of the thirty-one parks selected forthe project.
“Imagine park guests having the ability to preview trails and amenities,plan their visit, print out custom maps and guides showing points of interestand information tailored specifically to them or their families,” saidWarren Wahl, DCR’s State Parks Deputy Director. “Our goal isto help our guests access a world of information about Virginia's naturalplaces and the resources available to them, in and around, the state parks.” Wahl leads a DCR team working with Imperial.
DCR hopes to recoup the project’s development costs through Imperial’ssolicitation of advertising, sponsorships and partnerships with businessesand attractions that cater to state park visitors. These potential partnersrange from locally owned and operated shops and attractions to national brands.
“Imperial Multimedia and the Commonwealth of Virginia strongly believein promoting tourism and recreation based economic development in and aroundthe state parks,” said Lawrence Fisher, Director of Experience Developmentfor Imperial Multimedia. “As a result of this belief, the project hasbeen developed to create opportunities for local organizations to participatewith the option of adding enhanced content describing their business or service.”
Businesses and service providers can go to the Imperial Multimedia website, www.imperialmultimedia.com/vaparks/,to find out how to participate in the project. The website features expandedinformation about the project; a sample of the type of information that willbe available; and additional opportunities for sponsorship and special interestpartners.
Headquartered in Baraboo Wisconsin, Imperial Multimedia is a full servicecompany specializing in delivering custom interpretive and information solutionsin public places. The firm's work includes state, local and national parks;museums and historical sites; mass-market and specialty retail; theme parksand destination resorts; public transportation; and more.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation manages the VirginiaState Park system, celebrating its seventieth anniversary in 2006. For moreinformation on any of Virginia’s more than 30 state parks, go to theDCR website at www.dcr.virginia.gov orcall toll-free, 1-800-933-PARK (7275).
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