Body: Council Type: Document Meeting: Committee Date: 2019 Collection: Agenda Attachments Municipality: Frontenac County
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/frontenac-county/Item Attachments/Agenda Item/2019/May/2019-052 Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2019 Implementation Plan/Ferry By Foot 2019 Implementation Plan.pdf)
Document Text
Report 2019-052 Committee Information Report To:
Chair and Members of the Community Development Advisory Committee
From:
Alison Vandervelde, Community Development Officer
Date of meeting:
May 9, 2019
Re:
Community Development Advisory Committee – Ferry by Foot 2019 Implementation Plan
Recommendation This report is for information only. Background The Ferry by Foot program was launched in the Spring of 2018 following a detailed implementation plan that was outlined to the Community Development Advisory Committee in Report 2018-070. The 2018 program was considered successful and after reviewing the results of the program in Report 2018-123 the Community Development Advisory Committee recommended the following to County Council, which was approved: 2013-123 Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot Moved By: Seconded By:
Ms. John Warden Higgins
Be It Resolved That the County of Frontenac continue with the Ferry by Foot Campaign in 2019; And Further That Social Media Marketing of $250 for the Ferry by Foot program be incorporated into the 2019 Economic Development tourism development budget; And Further That the County of Frontenac seek partners to operate the Big Sandy Bay Shuttle Bus on weekends through July and August of 2019 and report back to Council in Q2 of 2019. Carried
Comments This report describes the implementation plan for the 2019 Ferry by Foot program, including the plan for the operation of the Big Sandy Bay Shuttle bus through July and August.
- Execute a comprehensive content marketing campaign
- The Digital Marketing Summer Student will assist with the development of a content strategy that leverages blogs and photos created as part of the 2018 campaign. This will include updating information on various web pages to be representative of changes for 2019 (ferry schedule, new businesses, etc.) Task Develop social media content calendar to maximize exposure of content through 2019
Timeframe
Implement content marketing/social media campaign
May – Sept
Early May
- Update the Wolfe Island Visitor Guide for the 2019 summer season and educate downtown Kingston staff In 2018, approximately 6,000 Wolfe Island Visitor Guides were distributed, the majority of which were distributed via the Kingston Visitor Experience Centre located in Confederation Park, near Kingston City Hall. The Wolfe Island Visitor Guide is being updated for 2019, and will be delivered to tourism and hospitality businesses in downtown Kingston. In 2018, this proved very useful for spreading awareness among the frontline staff who interact most with visitors to Kingston, for whom a trip to Wolfe Island is a natural extension of their Kingston destination experience. The new City-Colleges Opportunities Office will be hosting a Kingston Tourism Ambassador session on May 7 to train front line staff in customer service and the tourism industry in Kingston. County staff will be able to provide an overview of the Wolfe Island experience and answer any relevant questions. Tourism Kingston is also hosting a Tourism Connector on May 30, during Tourism Awareness Week. The format and timing of this event will allow more of the temporary, part-time, and/or student staff to attend. Staff have attended this event over the past two years and are considering attending again this year, in addition to the Ambassador session. The guide is anticipated to be available for the May long weekend. Task
Timeframe
Finalize printed brochure
Early May
Distribute in downtown Kingston and meet with front line staff to ensure they are ready to deliver information to visitors
May
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2019 Implementation Report May 9, 2019
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3. Increase Wolfe Island’s cycle friendly reputation In 2018, the County established a partnership with the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail to place signed loops on both Wolfe and Howe Islands. This has resulted in a new signed route on Wolfe Island that is part of a larger provincial network of bike routes. A new trailhead sign has been installed at the Wolfe Island Visitor Information Centre and route signs are expected to be installed in late spring by Township Public Works staff. Staff will also encourage Wolfe Island businesses to consider becoming certified as “Bicycle Friendly” through a free program offered by Ontario by Bike. Currently there are three Wolfe Island locations certified on the Ontario by Bike Map. Task
Timeframe
Install Route Signage
Spring 2019
Increase number of Bicycle Friendly Businesses
Summer 2019
- Continue the Big Sandy Bay bus program on summer weekends In 2018, staff contracted Hulton’s Bus Service on Wolfe Island to provide a shuttle bus to Big Sandy Bay Conservation Area on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays during the months of July and August. The shuttle operated for a total of 20 days, at a total cost of $14,238. Over those 20 days, a total of 1,008 passengers chose the shuttle bus for transportation into Big Sandy Bay. See Appendix G of Report 2018-123 for a detailed record of riders per shuttle trip. Based on 2018 ridership, and recent changes to the Wolfe Island Ferry schedule, the daily shuttle schedule will be shortened (starting later in the day). The shuttle will be offered for three additional days, to include the Labour Day weekend. The County and Township have budgeted funds to continue this program with support from Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO 9) and Visit Kingston in 2019. County staff are working to confirm logistics for transportation. Staff are considering extending the service to include the Wolfe Island Corn Maze if feasible. Once again, 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
Timeframe
Secure a transportation provider within available budget
May
Begin awareness campaign, to continue through season
June
Implement transportation service
June
Report back to Township and CDAC on measurements
October
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2019 Implementation Report May 9, 2019
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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 All of the actions of this report have been accounted for as part of the 2019 Economic Development budget. Frontenac County will receive a total of $7383.00 from RTO 9’s Tourism Partnership program to operate the Big Sandy Bay Bus. Organizations, Departments and Individuals Consulted and/or Affected Community Development Advisory Committee Frontenac County Councillors and Staff Township of Frontenac Islands Big Sandy Bay Management Committee Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Tourism Kingston and Kingston Accommodation Partners Marysville Businesses Great Lakes Waterfront Regeneration Trust Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO 9)
Information Report to Community Development Advisory Committee Ferry by Foot 2019 Implementation Report May 9, 2019
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