Client Success Stories: Igniting Winter Attendance at Outdoor Sites
Client Success Stories: Igniting Winter Attendance at Outdoor Sites
December 20, 2018 by Taylor Studios
If you work at a park, zoo, nature preserve, or other primarily outdoor destination, you may think winter programming is all but a lost cause. After all, teeth-chattering temps don’t exactly beckon most people out of doors.
As cold takes hold over the next few months, we’ll be serving up some soul-warming inspiration from some of our highly creative and industrious clients who have beaten these odds, enticing visitors outside with novel, memorable events—and reviving liveliness at their sites even during the proverbial “dead” of winter.
We hope you enjoy reading about these programs—and perhaps even experiencing them for yourself!
Candlelight Hike at Horicon Marsh
Horicon, Wisconsin
Candlelight Hike event at Horicon Marsh in Horicon, Wisconsin. Photos in header image, featured image and above by Andrea Champeau.
This remarkably popular annual event is hosted by the and . Wildlife Educator Liz Herzmann shares the story of their success.
Q: What is your most successful program/event during the winter? Please describe what it’s like and who attends.
A: Nearly two miles of hiking trails are lined with candle-powered luminaries to light the way for hikers and snowshoers. A roaring bonfire, hot chocolate and marshmallows warm up visitors after the illuminated walk. Activities and crafts are located in the education center for kids and families to enjoy. The event attracts anyone who enjoys being outside, especially families.
Q: Why do you think this particular event/program has been so successful in drawing visitors to your site?
A: This event has attracted over 2,000 people! It is a unique way to enjoy Horicon Marsh and literally see the landscape in a different light. The addition of indoor activities such as wildlife-themed activities, crafts, bake sale, and touring the make for a well-rounded experience.
Q: Is there anything special you have to do to prepare for this program/event? And/or anything that you simply cannot fully prepare for?
A: This event takes months of prep work, from soliciting donors for raffle baskets, coordinating almost 70 volunteers, and prepping the grounds before the ground freezes. The week before, we make the luminaries, finalize activities, crafts, food, volunteers, etc. The day of, we set out and light the luminaries as well as prepare the rest of the property for the large influx of people. We have shuttles running from two local cities,as our parking lot does not have the capacity to hold all participants! The one thing we can never fully prepare ourselves for is the weather. In our nine years of running this event, we have had 55-degree weather, rain, snow, ice, 30mph winds, below-zero temperatures, and everything in between.
Q: What advice would you give to colleagues in your field who are struggling to boost winter traffic to their sites?
A: Create a unique experience for those coming to your site. The winter can be dreadfully slow at sites that have snow/cold temperatures. Find a way to encourage people to get outside and enjoy your property, even in what they feel are not the ideal conditions. They may find that coming during the “off season” is actually just as enjoyable as other times of the year!
Q: What is your favorite thing to experience at your site during the winter?
A: I love going out and hiking the trails after afresh snow. If you are one of the first people to walk the trails (and not nearly as many people hike in the winter), you have this amazing opportunity to see what happened the night before. Wildlife tracks are abundant and tell you the story of everything that has played out over the last 12 hours. From a fresh otter slide to predator/prey interactions, you never know what you will see!
Q: What is the best compliment you have heard from a visitor about their experience at your site during the winter?
A: So many people tell us that it is so calm and peaceful on the marsh in winter. They love having the indoor educational opportunity of the Explorium and then are inspired to go have an adventure on the marsh, no matter the season!
…We’re just “warming up!” Stay tuned for more client success stories as the winter season continues to unfold.