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 GRR Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park
- Date of VisitSep 12, 2023
- Visiting Commissioner's NameKris Sampton
- Name, Title, Email and Telephone Number of I.C. Personnel InterviewedJeff Ruehle, Board Chair Friends of Freedom Park, [email protected], 651-529-6242
- What are your regular hours?10am-5pm
- What is your admission pricing?Free
- How many visitors do you see annually?10,586 in 2022
- 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?No
- URL to page where button is located
- When will you be adding a logo and link?9/30/2023
- 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?none, but would like to
- How could the state or national MRPC help your interpretive center?Partner Center ED to connect w. Linda for idea sharing/connections to what is available
- What do you need from us?Need to update contact info, more and newer photos for gallery; more info about new exhibits
- How have you worked with the MRPC in the past?Sherry Quamme
- How does being affiliated with the Great River Road help your visitation?It's the reason we are here. People come for the view & for direction/info to other places
- 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?Yes
- Do people know about this designation and why it matters?Yes
- How does your organization currently connect visitors to the Mississippi River and the Great River Road?website; the view; programs - Historical Bus tour of the GRR 9/22, LC Displays connecting GRR Website; Maps & brochures; verbal communication
- 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.
- What are you doing to engage diverse audiences?Voices of the Confluence - programs featuring Black History; Indegenous Drummers
- Is the contact information on you website up to date?Yes
- Please send updated information as needed, include a phone number and email contact?
- COVID-19 Impacts
- How has Covid affected your staff and visitation at your IC over the past two years?Center shut down most of 2022/early 2021
- How are you planning to adjust or how have you adjusted in 2022?Center reopened & visitors returned
- What do you see as the long-term impacts?Little to none Harder to find volunteers and being forced to find more seasonal help
- How can MRPC help with regard to the impacts of Covid?
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