Great River Road Network of Interpretive Centers Visit Checklist
State Commissioner visits annually or bi-annually by making an appointment with the I.C. Director or appropriate personnel.
The goal is to develop a stronger relationship between the Interpretive Centers (I.C.) and the MRPC.
During the visit, the commissioner will review the checklist and share new or ongoing information about the MRPC. The talking points should include benefits of being an I.C. (e.g., featured on website, printed maps, social media, itineraries and more.)
- Interpretive Center Visited Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center
- Date of VisitJul 25, 2025
- Visiting Commissioner's NameKris Sampson
- Name, Title, Email and Telephone Number of I.C. Personnel InterviewedLinda Schenk, Executive Director, [email protected]
- What are your regular hours?Monday Closed Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM Sunday 12PM - 5PM
- What is your admission pricing?None
- How many visitors do you see annually?13,000+
- Does I.C. have a website?Yes
- Website URLhttps://www.freedomparkwi.org
- Do you have a button on your website with the Great River Road logo and link to the experiencemississipprver.com website?Yes
- URL to page where button is locatedhttps://www.freedomparkwi.org/
- When will you be adding a logo and link?
- Do you have a Facebook page?Yes
- Facebook URLhttps://www.facebook.com/FreedomParkWI
- Do you carry GRR maps or rack cards for sale, distribution or on display?Yes
- Do you display a GRR banner or other signage?Yes
- Are your frontline personnel knowledgable of the GRR? Do they receive any formal training?Yes
- Do you have photos or video of your I.C. to share for promotional use?Yes
- What other Interpretive Centers do you communicate with regarding GRR activities?I have traveled down the GRR and connected with all of the other center directors. Places such as Genoa.
- How could the state or national MRPC help your interpretive center?
- What do you need from us?
- How have you worked with the MRPC in the past?Yes. I attend monthly meetings. I have also attended the Wisconsin Tourism Conference.
- How does being affiliated with the Great River Road help your visitation?It is our primary reason for our center to exist. People come here specifically to get maps and brochures for their traveling experience.
- Do many people visit your IC because they are travelling the Great River Road?Yes
- Has the status as an All-American Road led to more visitation?No
- Do people know about this designation and why it matters?No
- How does your organization currently connect visitors to the Mississippi River and the Great River Road?We sit on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The Great River Road is located on the north side of our building - park.
- Are the descriptions for your listing on the National Great River Road website and, if applicable, on your state’s Great River Road website up to date?No
- Please send updated information as needed, along with a photo (or photos) that you’d like us to use for promotional purposes.Everything on the website is updated monthly
- What are you doing to engage diverse audiences?We are partnering with the Prairie Island Mdewakanton Band of Eastern Dakota "Tinta Winta". Dancing, Drumming, nature walks.
- Is the contact information on your website up to date?Yes
- Please send updated information as needed, include a phone number and email contact?Everything on the website is updated monthly
- COVID-19 Impacts
- How has Covid affected your staff and visitation at your IC over the past two years?
- How are you planning to adjust or how have you adjusted in 2022?
- What do you see as the long-term impacts?
- How can MRPC help with regard to the impacts of Covid?
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