South Denali Visitor Center Complex: Interpretive
Master Plan

Schmeeckle Reserve Interpreters

Interpretive Master Planning

Interpretive master plans are essential tools that guide the development of visitor services at a site or facility. To create a meaningful and useful document, planners must immerse themselves in the stories of the site. Our team spends a significant amount of time onsite, talking with stakeholders, interviewing visitors, and inventorying resources.

Browse through the pages of sample master plans below and discover the types of analyses, inventories, and conceptual designs that our team can provide.


Interpretive Master Plan Samples

Plan documents below are saved as low-resolution Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files and are available for screen viewing. All materials and rights are owned by the respective clients.

Springfield Area Illinois Historic Route 66: Interpretive Master Plan
© December 2022
City of Springfield, Illinois, Convention and Visitors Bureau
Iowa Scenic Byways: Interpretive Master Plans
Ten plans and one summary report
2015-2018
Iowa DOT: Iowa Byways Program
Door County Coastal Byway: Interpretive Master Plan
© February 2014
Door County Coastal Byway Council
The Ridges Sanctuary: Interpretive Master Plan
© February 2013
The Ridges Sanctuary
The Teller: Conservation Education & Interpretive Master Plan
© July 2011
The Teller Wildlife Refuge, Inc.
South Denali Visitor Center Complex: Interpretive Master Plan
© August 2009
Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources
Rib Mountain State Park: Conceptual Master Plan for Education Center
© July 2009
Friends of Rib Mountain State Park
Illinois Historic Route 66: Interpretive Master Plan
© May 2008
Illinois Route 66 Heritage Project
Lost River Cave and Valley: Interpretive Master Plan
© November 2006
Friends of Lost River Cave and Valley
Great River Road Visitor Center: Interpretive Master Plan
© April 2005
City of Prescott, Wisconsin
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation: Interpretive Master Plan
© November 2004
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Found.

 



Contents of an Interpretive Master Plan

Interpretive Master Plans document the entire planning process, from vision to conceptual designs.

The final plans we develop vary in content and depth. Most will include:

  • Mission and goals analysis (written and unwritten)
  • Visitor studies (existing and information we gather during the process)
  • Tangible resource inventory with associated intangible meanings
  • Theme and message development (the big ideas and the stories to tell through interpretation)
  • Conceptual facility development/architectural program (visitor flow, space designation and size, visitor experience, building materials, sustainable features)
  • Conceptual site development (trail systems, surfaces, roads, parking, landscaping, wayfinding)
  • Interpretive media and program concepts (purpose, measurable objectives, descriptions, illustrations)


The plans are designed to be visually attractive to facilitate stakeholder discussions and encourage fundraising. Clients also receive the original digital files of the plan for future printing and high quality digital photographs taken during the planning process.