Goals
While IthacaTrails.org provides a detailed and interactive map of all public trails in the county, several improvements could substantially improve the user experience, both on screen and on the trails themselves. In 2023, the County was awarded a Market New York grant from Empire State Development to make upgrades to IthacaTrails.org. Despite Tompkins County being a top destination for outdoor experiences, it can be challenging for visitors and residents to find comprehensive, timely, and accurate information about recreational assets due to fragmented responsibility for their stewardship.
Our goal is for IthacaTrails.org to become a model for showcasing the variety and depth of outdoor recreation experiences in our region, improving visitor experience and local satisfaction with our outdoor recreation facilities.
This solicitation seeks to identify a vendor with expertise in modern online graphic design to refresh the visuals of IthacaTrails.org. The selected vendor will create a brand identity for the website that meets technical requirements, user experience, and accessibility objectives (see page 4 for a detailed scope of work). A separate RFP has been issued for the website’s development. Firms may submit proposals for one or both solicitations, but bids must be presented separately.
Objectives
The County expects that the selected vendor, in consultation with County staff and local trail steward partners, will provide graphic design for the IthacaTrails.org website that achieves the following objectives:
- Improves user experience when planning outdoor recreation activities.
- Promotes equitable access to trails by integrating transit services and showcasing trails suitable for people with disabilities.
- Encourages visitors to explore new trails.
- Diverts visitors away from closed, inaccessible, or overcrowded locations as appropriate.
- Motivates visitors to extend their stay in Tompkins County. More specifically, the updated website should be mobile friendly, incorporate features that enhance the equitable enjoyment of outdoor recreation sites, and support the long-term preservation of popular destinations.
The selected vendor will be asked to create a brand identity for the IthacaTrails.org website that satisfies all technical requirements, user experience and accessibility objectives listed in the Scope of Work section.
