JB-0000000092-RFP_F - IthacaTrails.org Web Developer

Scope of Work
The selected vendor will be asked to create a new IthacaTrails.org website that satisfies all primary deliverables, technical requirements, user management objectives, data integration objectives, and design objectives listed in this section.

Website Development Objectives
The new IthacaTrails.org website is expected to incorporate the following features:

• Ability to Filter by Activities and Amenities – The website must maintain its ability to filter trails by activity type (bike, run, xc ski, etc.) and amenities (dog friendly, picnic tables, restrooms, etc.).
• Human + AI Support – Site users should be able to ask specific questions about trails to Visit Ithaca (the county’s Convention and Visitors Bureau / Tourism Promotion Agency) staff using the existing chat system during normal business hours. Additionally, a chatbot should be available to answer inquiries outside of regular business hours.
• Real-time Updates from Trail Stewards – Trail stewards, which include organizations like the Finger Lakes Land Trust, Cornell Botanic Gardens, New York State Parks, municipalities, and others, should have the ability to post updates directly to the website as trail conditions change at their respective locations. Refer to the User Management Objectives section (page 5) for further details.
• Blueway Trail – The updated website should integrate our local water trail as a paddling experience available on the Cayuga Lake Blueway Trail. This water trail connects to the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and can allow visitors to experience long distance paddling trips. Current information about the Blueway Trail can be found at www.CayugaLake.com.
• Highlight Accessible Destinations – A key priority for the new website is ensuring equitable access to outdoor recreation assets. To achieve this, the updated website should clearly indicate which trails and outdoor experiences are accessible to people with disabilities, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.  
• TCAT to Trails – Many trails in the county can be reached by riding a Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) bus. The website should enable users to plan trips to trailheads via public transportation, making trail experiences more accessible and equitable for all, including visitors without private vehicles.
• Trail Stories, Images and Videos – The new website should allow Trail Stewards to contribute user-generated content, such as images, videos, and trail condition reports. This feature will enrich the platform by showcasing the variety of outdoor experiences available in all corners of the county.
• Offline and Printable Maps – The website should allow users to download static maps (geospatial PDFs) for mobile devices or print them for trail reference, catering to outdoor enthusiasts who venture into areas without reliable Wi-Fi or cellular data. Moreover, public-facing trail data should be readily available for people to access and use as they see fit, ideally in their preferred format.
• Privacy Protection –The website should minimize its collection of user data and take all appropriate measures to comply with privacy regulations, thereby safeguarding users’ personal information.