A new way to enhance our experience in the outdoors has arrived. VirginiaOutdoors.com has been developed to cater to outdoor enthusiasts.
Looking at the homepage, a user can choose to view content by activity or destination.
If for example, a user's primary interest is biking, the user selects biking from the activities menu and then only destinations offering that selected activity will display.
When choosing to view trail information, only bike trails will appear. Within the trail information the user can take virtual video tour of the trail as well as view and print a trail map.
Trail maps have been developed using GIS technology. Features along the trail are pointed out using GPS waypoints. For example, features such as trail crossings, footbridges, scenic views, and park benches may appear as numbered waypoints on a trail map.
Virtual Tours will point out interpretive information such as an osprey nest or a 200 year old bald Cyprus tree. By utilizing waypoints and virtual tours, users will easily find their way and won't miss some of the trails finest features.
Richard Louv, author of the book "Last Child in the Woods" suggests that often what keeps people from exploring the outdoors is fear of the unknown. Arming visitors with this type of enhanced trail information will help overcome these types of obstacles.
A user can also explore Virginia Outdoors by destination. A user can select a region to explore from a statewide map and then may choose a destination from a dynamically generated list.
Choosing a destination will bring up a destination overview screen. This screen displays a wealth of information about the park and its amenities including trail maps, park maps, current weather observations and forecasts, calendar of events, reservation and amenities information.
Guests may click on the Google Maps link for driving directions and other geographic details. If a destination is equipped with an information station, an icon appears alerting visitors that this information is also available on site.
Featured articles display on the homepage and related articles display throughout the site, tailored to the activity or destination you are currently viewing. These articles may include any combination of rich media such as imagery, audio and video.
An especially useful part of Virginia Outdoors.com is the Podcasts and Media page. Choosing from a variety of topics, users can either view or listen to content while visiting the website or they can subscribe to and load podcasts onto their personal mobile device such as ipods, iphones, palms, blackberries and so on. A family planning a visit to Sailors Creek Battlefield State Park, for example, will be able to download podcasts relevant to that park and take along on their visit.
While visiting Virginia Outdoors.com, you'll have to opportunity to become a member of the web site.
Joining the Virginia Outdoors online community has many benefits. Members can customize their membership based on their specific interest of location and can choose to be notified via email when relevant information hast been posted to the site.
Members can upload photos and post comment s on articles. It also offers free associate membership in the Virginia Association for Parks.
Another feature of Virginia Outdoors is programming designed to get people to the outdoors. A prime example, Trail Quest, provides incentives for hikers who visit and hike trails in Virginia State Parks.
A hiker can sign up and apply for Trail Quest rewards right here on the site. After hiking the trails, the hiker visits the Information Station at the park and obtains a secret pass code. Milestones and rewards have been established for hiking a one, five, ten and twenty state parks. Those who have mastered the quest of all parks will receive a Master Hiker Classification.
Virginia Outdoors has collaborated with numerous agencies and organizations such as the Virginia Horse Council, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Through these valuable collaborative partnerships Virginia Outdoors will continue to expand and update its content.
Virginia Outdoors Website Sponsor Benefits
- Sponsors receive sponsor recognition on the park home page.
- A direct weblink to the sponsor website will be included on the park home page.
- Appreciation article announcing their sponsorship posted on Virginia Outdoors.
- Special sponsorship introduction published on Twitter and Facebook.
- Exposure in excess of ten thousand views per month on VirginiaOutdoors.com website.
