Final Report: A Visitor Capacity Charrette for Acadia National Park August 1-3, 2001

Haas, Glenn; Jacobi, Charles

'This report summarizes the results of a 3-day visitor capacity charrette (defined as an intensive, multi-day work session focused on a specific locale and involving experts with diverse perspectives) convened at Acadia National Park from August 1-3, 2001.' 'Recommendations included: • Develop a zoning system like that for Arches National Park to guide capacity decisions, includingmore detailed descriptions of the desired resource and visitor experience conditions. Use a rationalplanning process like VERP and support it with applied research.• Some participants believed there would be value to proactively decide upon a numeric capacityfor Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond House, and that further delay would compromise resources.• Understand visitor travel patterns through simulation modeling.• Establish public transit for Cadillac Mountain during the summer season to assure a qualityvisitor experience, protect resources, and educate visitors.• Explore a "no net gain" option for adjusting parking throughout the park, and develop a parkingplan for the park.• Continue to pursue Intelligent Transportation System technologies.• Increase community awareness and public education about visitor demand approaching andexceeding the available supply of recreation opportunities. Develop a daily (e.g. 10am and 3pm)visitor capacity index for Cadillac Mountain and report it the media, similar to that of a hoteloccupancy rate.• Conduct a car-free test for the Park Loop Road using the Island Explorer and supplemental buses during the off season at a relatively busy time.' /STUDY LOCATIONS:/ /MOUNT DESERT ISLAND/ACADIA NATIONAL PARK/

Final Report: A Visitor Capacity Charrette for Acadia National Park August 1-3, 2001

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