You may already have an idea for a walk, to begin to make this idea into a reality why not form a community group? Start to visualise the project, who is it for? What is its purpose? (e.g. health and fi tness, art, for families etc.) Creative workshops investigating the location are also a good place to start, go out into local spaces and places and really observe what is around you note it down as you walk, draw it, film it…
Commissioning your trail
Once you have formulated an idea for your walk, it’s time to find a good trail manager who can help you bring your vision to life; they will work with your community group to make it a reality.
Your trail project manager will talk to you about funding, finalise route plans, help you address any access problems with the route which may arise, help you gain permission to site signs where required and advise on planning, assess accessibility and end user interaction with the route.
They will then design, or commission a designer, to create your signage with sympathy to the environment and considering your demographic. This creation stage will involve mapping the route. The signs will then be fitted, your manager will schedule manufacture, organise fitters, and instruct them on fitting.
Finally, they will oversee the creation of supporting literature from content gathered in community through feedback events, design leaflets, a web site, apps and organise a launch event. Advise will be given on insurances and ongoing maintenance of trails.
For more information on creating walking trails, contact trail project manager Sara Hayes on +44 7950 836488 or info@thepublicartcompany.co.uk to talk about commissioning a walking trail for your town or city.
