HANDMADE, HOMEGROWN, AND ABSOLUTELY WILD CRITERIA

Our teams of residents-- farmers, artists, tourism and cultural leaders, merchants, and educators, developed guiding principles for sites in these trails to assure their quality.

Hours & Days of Operation
Our goal is to ensure that Sites are available to the traveling public for a minimum of 20-hours a week and a minimum of two consecutive days each week (preferably including one weekend day). Exceptions are for operations with very short life spans, such as festivals, annual events, tours, etc., that may be considered on an individual basis; and for other sites, such as an artist's or craftsperson's home studio/gallery, that may be available by appointment or reservation only.

Site Interpretation
Our goal is to ensure that Sites feature appropriate and interpretative, easy to understand signage, brochures, recorded presentations, and/or other instructional aides sufficiently effective to enhance the visitor’s experience. Sites may be staffed or not.

Authentic and Unique Site Content
Our goal is to be certain that Sites reflect a feature(s) that is authentic and unique to North Carolina or the region in which it is
located. What makes a Site unique?

a) Restaurants   A restaurant should meet five or more of the following:

1. Shows local art on the walls/display cases and/or uses handcrafted items as tableware.

2. Has interpretive materials that tells all about the arts on premises and/or the history of the place.

3. Regularly has live music.

4. Features locally grown produce.

5. Offers a selection of North Carolina indigenous food.

6. Serves North Carolina indigenous recipes.

7. Has offerings authentic to the establishment.

8. Is in an architecturally significant building.

9. Is popular with locals.

10. Has a unique, authentic regional claim to fame, such as "NC's oldest restaurant."

No restaurant will be considered as a Trail Site if it features a
current Health Inspection of less than “A”.

b) Farms   Our goal is to highlight those that combine agriculture and the arts. A “pick-your-own” fruit farm may be unique to the region or County. Or, there may be many such farms in any given area. There may be craft items offered for sale or such a farm may feature photography classes. In addition, the farm may feature hayrides, a ”learn-how-to-grow” program, an on-site bed & breakfast, or some other value attractive to tourists.

c) Art Galleries   Our goal is to feature galleries and other art
locations that display regularly the original works of North Carolina artists and/or produce exciting, interesting, exhibits and/or events that are authentic to North Carolina regions.

d) Retail Stores   We want to ensure that the retail stores on our Trails offer a significant proportion of North Carolina products. Conversely, shops that feature imports would not be included.

e) Bed and Breakfasts/Inns  We want to ensure that B&Bs/Inns have a connection to Arts and authentic NC Culture and heritage.

High Appeal Sites
Our goal is to promote what makes living in North Carolina a unique experience. As such, our Sites will reflect a flavor of homegrown, handmade, and absolutely wild products, events, and sites unique and authentic to our State. In addition, there will be an element of high quality and a sense of heritage and history in our Trails.

Cleanliness, Safety, Accessibility and Signage
All sites must be clean and free of threats to human health and safety.

For physically challenged visitors, all indoor Sites must be ADA
compliant. Sites providing outdoor experiences should show that
attention has been given to handicapped individuals even if it involves giving notice that a particular activity is not conducive to their safety. This is similar to an amusement ride that requires riders to meet or exceed a minimal height requirement. Another example involves white water rafting firms that must deny services to individuals with disability so great that their participation would pose an unacceptable threat their life or the safety of fellow rafters. Conversely, if the Site has paved (not gravel) walks that make it easier for wheelchairs or walkers then it should indicate that feature to visitors.

It is important for tourists to see unobstructed, easy to read signage that directs them to Sites. It is expected that this will be the case for a majority of Sites. However, for Sites in development, some allowance should be made to these criteria. In any event, developing Sites must share their plans to meet signage requirements with project representatives.

Ours is a new project and as we continue we expect there will be
modifications as we hear from you!

We appreciate your comment and feedback. Contact David Potorti, Arts Tourism Manager at david.potorti@ncmail.net