Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 09, 2006
Contact:
Appalachian Power major sponsor of new Virginia State Parks visitor information system
RICHMOND, VA – Appalachian Power has committed to bethe first major sponsor of a new visitor information systemto be installed in Virginia State Parks next spring.
The Virginia State Parks Interpretive Information Systemuses outdoor/indoor, weather- and vandal-resistant, touchscreen, interactive information stations to provide park guestswith state park and local attractions information 24 hoursa day.
“The new guest information system is an exciting newfeature for Virginia State Parks, and at Appalachian Powerwe’re proud to be the program’s premiere corporatepartner,” said R. Daniel Carson, external affairs vicepresident, Appalachian Power. “The information stationsgive users access to valuable information about their favoritestate park. Along the way we hope they can learn a bit aboutAppalachian Power, our community support, our environmentalcommitment and the role we play each day in protecting someof the most beautiful lakeside parks in western Virginia.”
The award-winning Virginia State Parks, managed by the VirginiaDepartment of Conservation and Recreation, is working withImperial Multimedia of Baraboo, Wis., to develop the system,which includes GPS-based trail information, wildlife spottingguides, in-depth information on park amenities, printableguides and maps, program descriptions and more.The stationswill also provide interactive virtual tours of every trailin each of the 31 parks selected for the project.
“Imperial Multimedia is thrilled to have AppalachianPower demonstrate their commitment to Virginia's state parksand their leadership in the communities where they do business,by becoming the first major sponsor of the Virginia StateParks Information Stations,” said Lawrence Fisher, directorof experience development for Imperial Multimedia. “Bysupporting the Information Station program in Virginia's StateParks, Appalachian Power will enable park guests to accessa world of information about Virginia's natural places andabout the resources available to them in and around the stateparks.”
The new system will be installed in 31 state parks by spring2007. The proprietary information program builds on a structurethat has been successfully used in the Wisconsin State Parksystem.
“We’re pleased Appalachian Power has agreed tobe the trail-blazing, first major partner in this programand we’re delighted they are onboard,” said Joe Elton, DCR’s state parks director. “Thenew information stations will transform a visitor’sexperience at a state park. The stations also give local businessesand attractions opportunities to merchandise food and othervisitor destinations to park visitors.”
Businesses and service providers can visit the Imperial Multimediawebsite, www.imperialmultimedia.com/vaparks/, to learn howto participate in the project. The website features expandedinformation about the project; a sample of the type of informationthat will be available; and additional opportunities for sponsorshipand special-interest partners.
For more information about Virginia State Parks, visit www.dcr.virginia.govor call toll-free, 800-933-PARK (7275).
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Appalachian Power - Virginia State Parks visitorinformation system
FACT SHEET
Appalachian Power will have a custom video message in theinformation station of each of the selected parks, with specialvideo presentations in Smith Mountain Lake State Park andClaytor Lake State Park. Also, Appalachian Power’s logowill appear on each park map printed from the informationstation in these parks.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Southwest Virginia Museum State Park
Grayson Highlands State Park
Hungry Mother State Park
New River Trail State Park
Claytor Lake State Park
Fairy Stone State Park
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
James River State Park
Holliday Lake State Park
Wilderness Road State Park
Douthat State Park
Staunton River State Park
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
(These parks were selected because they are within or directlyadjacent to the Appalachian Power service area.)
Appalachian Power has signed on as a sponsor for one year,for $10,000, with an option to extend the sponsorship foran additional year at the same rate.
Because of the dynamic nature of the Information Stationprogram, Appalachian Power's content will be accessible inany of the 31 parks in the program.
Appalachian Power played a significant role in the developmentof Smith Mountain and Claytor Lake state parks. AppalachianPower created both lakes for hydroelectric generation.
Upon completion of the Smith Mountain project in 1966, AppalachianPower donated 422 acres to the Virginia Department of Conservationand Economic Development for Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Shortly after the completion of the Claytor hydroelectricproject in 1939, Appalachian Power worked with the state toprovide 325 acres for today’s Claytor Lake State Park.
Appalachian Power plays a fundamental role in both parksthrough the operation of its hydroelectric facilities andthe protection of the scenic, environmental and recreationalqualities of the lakes.
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