As part of a community project in Norfolk, NE, the Visioning 2026 effort recoginized the need for improved recreation and park facilities and services for a vibrant and changing culture. Another project beginning in parallel, the Norfolk River Development project, is also looking at multi-use facilities to include office, retail, recreation, lodging and living interconnected for residents and visitors, a destination site, some say the San Antonio of the North.
The following material is a collection of material generated from the Visioning 2026 effort along with other references.
Visioning 2026 Focus Group dialogue and report on Tourism and Recreation, November 2006
Norfolk Amusement Park, A Possibility as reported by Dr. Marvin J. Cetron, President, Forecasting International, September 2006
56 TOP TRENDS AFFECTING NORFOLK’S FUTURE, Comments from Forecasting International By Dr. Marvin J. Cetron, President, Forecasting International, September 2006
10. Tourism and international travel will increase significantly, with tourists getting their travel information directly over the Internet. Category: TOURISM
1 (Low) - Nebraska is essentially a source of tourism, not a destination for tourists. Thus this trend, though strong and continuing, will have little significance for Norfolk. This could change if the area develops a theme park. In that case, the growth of tourism will become a 4 (High), both because this trend will produce new opportunities for the local economy and because long-distance vacationing will compete with regional attractions for business.
We see five primary theme-park opportunities for Norfolk:
• • An “old Nebraska” theme based on the region’s history
• • An EPCOT approach, with attractions and foods from exotic foreign cultures;
• • A theme based on family life and, perhaps, Biblical stories, with marriage chapels as special attractions (providing not only the service itself, but such ancillaries as rental gowns and formalwear, photographs and videos, and bridal parties);
• • High-tech rides;
• • And attractions based on movie and video-game tie-ins, such as a park based on the Harry Potter books and movies.
Each of these offers special opportunities and challenges, which will require careful examination before a commitment is made. This is a family environment. It should be non-smoking, non-drinking, with video games and picnic tables, for parents and grandparents taking their children or grandchildren for a day’s outing.
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Fla. The Fields of Excellence
A very good example and implemenation of recreation resources.
American School & University News
Bibliography of Economic Impacts of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Recreation, Park & Tourism Management Reference Resources
References to commercial products and services
Natural Resources Recreation Reference Resources
Financing and Acquiring Park and Recreation Resources
Journal of Leisure Research
National Park and Recreation Association
The Future of Theme Parks in International TourismLabels: Trends