Body: Council Type: Document Meeting: Committee Date: 2018 Collection: Agenda Attachments Municipality: Frontenac County
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/frontenac-county/Item Attachments/Agenda Item/2018/May/2018-070 Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report This report is for information purposes only./Ferry By Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report.pdf)
Document Text
Report 2018-070 Committee Information Report To:
Chair and Members of the Community Development Advisory Committee
From:
Alison Vandervelde, Community Development Officer
Date of meeting:
May 10, 2018
Re:
Community Development Advisory Committee – Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report
Recommendation This report is for information only. Background The Community Development Advisory Committee received Report 2017-151 Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation at its December 2017 meeting. At its regular meeting on April 18, 2018 County Council received report 2018-055 Ferry by Foot: Big Sandy Bay Weekend Shuttle Service (Pilot Program) and passed the following resolution: Whereas County Staff are implementing a “Ferry by Foot” program to encourage visitors to Wolfe Island to experience the island through active transportation; And Whereas this program has been developed as part of the “Advancing Economic Development in the Frontenacs through Collaboration” Rural Economic Development funding program (RED); And Whereas RED does not fund transportation initiatives; Be It Resolved That up to $6,000 be allocated from Strategic Reserves to be used to match partnership funding from Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO 9) for a weekend shuttle service from Marysville to Big Sandy Bay in July and August of 2018;
And Further That the Warden and Clerk be authorized to complete necessary paperwork associated with RTO 9 funding. On April 20, 2018 County staff was notified that our grant application to the Great Waterway (RTO 9) for two-thirds funding in support of the Big Sandy Bay Shuttle Bus project was successful. In addition, Tourism Kingston and the Kingston Accommodation Partners have each committed $500.00 to the success of this project. Comments Since the December 2017 report, much action has been taken to advance the implementation plan. An update on each item follows here:
- Develop a strong visual identity The Ferry by Foot brand identity has been finalized and is being incorporated into all marketing efforts related to the program. See attached. Task
Timeframe
Status
Finalize Ferry by Foot visual identity
Winter, 2018
Complete
Include Ferry by Foot visual identity in all marketing materials
2018
Ongoing
- Build a comprehensive content marketing campaign Staff have contracted professional bloggers to provide robust content that will be featured on www.VisitWolfeIsland.ca (a subset of pages on www.inFrontenac.ca). A dynamic social media campaign will drive visitors back to this content so they can be well prepared for their trip to Wolfe Island. Content will include:
- How to walk or bike on the ferry
- How to ride the shuttle to Big Sandy Bay
- Top ten things to do in Marysville
- Success Stories: features on many Wolfe Island tourism-related businesses Task
Timeframe
Develop ambassador story series
Winter 2018
Ongoing
Winter 2018
Complete
Develop social media content calendar to maximize exposure of ambassador story series through 2018
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report May 10, 2018
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Engage social media influencer(s) Arrange professional photography of all Wolfe Island Frontenac Ambassadors Host social media influencer(s) familiarization tour Launch content marketing/social media campaign
Winter 2018
Ongoing
Early Spring, 2018
Not Started
Spring 2018
Not Started
Spring 2018
Ongoing
- Develop printed brochure and educate downtown Kingston staff The Wolfe Island Visitor Guide is currently in draft form, and staff are gathering feedback from stakeholders. The goal is to have the guide ready for distribution in early June. Staff at the Kingston Visitor Information Centre are quite excited to have the guide for distribution and have requested 1,000 copies for the summer season. It will also be distributed to the Wolfe Island Visitor Information Centre, and businesses on Wolfe Island and in downtown Kingston. Task
Timeframe
Status
Finalize messaging
Winter, 2018
Ongoing
Finalize printed brochure
Winter, 2018
Ongoing
Distribute in downtown Kingston and Spring, 2018 meet with front line staff to ensure they are ready to deliver information to visitors
Scheduled to begin soon
- Train Township Visitor Information Centre staff Frontenac Islands is hiring one staff person for the Visitor Information Centre, and they will start work in May. County staff will work closely with that person to ensure they are prepared to support the success of the Ferry by Foot programming. Task Equip VIC staff with solid understanding of Island activities and businesses Train VIC staff to contribute to a dynamic social media presence across Wolfe Island / Township accounts
Timeframe
Status
Late Spring, 2018
Scheduled to begin soon
Late Spring, 2018
Scheduled to begin soon
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report May 10, 2018
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5. Increase Wolfe Island’s cycle friendly reputation Late in 2017, County staff purchased ten bike racks that are currently being stored in a Frontenac Islands Township public works garage. Several businesses have expressed interest in having a rack installed on their property, and a few location on public land have been identified as well. County staff will work with Township staff to determine the logistics of bike rack installation. Task
Timeframe
Status
Install bike racks in Marysville
Late Spring, 2018
Not started
Explore logistics of signing cycling routes
Winter, 2018
Not started
Sign Wolfe Island cycling routes
Spring, 2018
Not started
- Provide free public transportation to Big Sandy Bay Having received confirmation of two-thirds funding from the RTO 9 and approval from County Council to allocate reserve funding to this program, County staff are working with Frontenac Islands Township staff and the transportation provider to confirm logistics for transportation. Staff are also working to inform the Marysville business community about the project and secure their participation in a coupon booklet for shuttle riders. Staff will work closely with the Big Sandy Bay Management Committee to ensure messaging about the shuttle bus aligns with the Management Area’s mandate. Task Secure a transportation provider within available budget
Timeframe
Status
Winter, 2018
Complete
Apply to RTO 9 for Partnership Winter, 2018 Funds Work with Township staff to finalize Winter, 2018 logistics (schedule, pick up/drop off location, tracking/measurement, etc)
Complete
Begin awareness campaign, to continue through season Implement transportation service
Ongoing
Spring, 2018
Scheduled to begin soon
Summer, 2018
Scheduled to start June 30
Report back to Township and CDAC Fall, 2018 on measurements Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report May 10, 2018
Not started
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Sustainability Implications The Ferry by Foot program is intended to relieve some of the vehicle demand on the Wolfe Island Ferry. This will improve access to the Island, create better informed visitors, and provide a boost to Marysville’s economy. The plan addresses three of the expectations in the Frontenac Islands Township Letter of Support for the Frontenac RED grant application and it aligns strongly with the Frontenac Economic Development Charter and the Frontenac County Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. Financial Implications As indicated to County Council, the Big Sandy Bay shuttle bus is a pilot project for 2018. Staff will report on the program’s success in the fall of 2018, at which time consideration should be given to the financial implications of offering the shuttle again in 2019. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Wolfe Island business community Ministry of Transportation Frontenac Islands Township Staff Ontario by Bike RTO 9, The Great Waterway Tourism Kingston Kingston Accommodation Partners Big Sandy Bay Management Committee
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2018 Implementation Update Report May 10, 2018
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