Beckley Outdoors re-imagines Beckley as the premier gateway to the new National Park. Capitalizing on its assets and proximity to the park, the plan leverages the growing impact of outdoor recreation to grow small business, attract remote workers, strengthen local workforce, and increase tourism.
The ultimate vision is a walkable downtown, supported by a vibrant arts community, recreational amenities, and a network of trails physically connecting the city to the National Park.
Plan
Overview
Through six key focus areas, the plan identifies existing outdoor assets, and crafts recommendations to enhance connectivity between existing and proposed bike-ped infrastructure.
An accompanying destination brand, Basecamp Beckley, also helps connect Beckley’s identity to the National Park by promoting the area’s outdoor-forward lifestyle and amenities.
Through a series of renderings, the plan envisions a pedestrian-friendly Beckley, with a focus on its historic downtown and strong connections to the city’s natural assets, setting the stage for a more vibrant future.
Among the most visionary of recommendations, the proposed New River Bike Park, and the Exhibition Coal Mine Rider’s Village offer an exciting opportunity to leverage an existing city-owned coal history museum, and other assets to catalyze the outdoor economy.
The Riders Village leverages Beckley’s coal heritage and 50,000 annual visitors to its historic mine. This 20-acre development provides an ideal event event space, visitor amenities, and improved connectivity through the existing Beckley Rail Trail, while integrating coal-themed features into the park.
Community Engagement
Beckley Outdoors uses a robust engagement strategy designed to foster deep connections and sustain momentum throughout the entire project.
The planning process was introduced through a dynamic plan website and promotional video narrated by community members.
Interactive community forums, detailed surveys, and active social media engagement were used to generate excitement, which culminates in the Beckley Outdoors Summit, where recommendations for more connectivity and bike-centric infrastructure achieved significant community buy-in.
Plan
Website
The Beckley Outdoors website was the first point of contact with many community members. Fueled by a lively plan brand and multimedia content, the website helps engage and retain the community’s attention.
Signage & Wayfinding Concepts
Branded wayfinding and trail signage offer a consistent visual identity, enhancing awareness of Beckley’s recreational assets and reinforcing a sense of place.
These signage concepts allow for effortless navigation, seamlessly integrating trails into the fabric of the downtown and ultimately connecting Beckley to the National Park itself.
Content
Creation
Public engagement efforts are elevated through compelling visual content and storytelling to showcase the adventures and natural beauty of the New River Gorge region.
With downtown and the Gorge as a backdrop, our team captures Beckley’s potential as a thriving outdoor recreation hub, inspiring the community to invest in the vision and embrace Beckley’s transformation.
Brand
Identity
Basecamp Beckley is a city brand that encapsulates Beckley’s historic location as the epicenter of the Southern West Virginia coal fields, while also establishing it as a hub for excursions into the National Park.
The visual identity is a nod to the past in the form of a miner’s lamp, and a look to the future as the light of a camper’s headlamp, both important elements of its rich Appalachian heritage. The color scheme is also a subtle nod to WVU, while adding Beckley’s own special flavor.
