Ridgefield Visitor Map
Two things inspired Books on the Common owner, Ellen Burns to bring a Visitor Map to Ridgefield: a trip north to visit friends and bookstore patrons who frequently ask for recommendations.
“At the bookstore, we frequently see people visiting the town for the first time and try to give them ideas for where to eat, what to see, etc. while they're here," says Burns, who will soon enhance the store's "local interest" section and hopes the bookstore becomes a visitor information center.
The concept took on a life of its own when Burns traveled to Massachusetts and came face to face with a Visitor Map. “I picked one up a year or so ago in Lenox, MA and was inspired by the design and the concept,” says Burns, who confesses her love of old-school maps and admits she drive sans GPS.
Upon her return to Ridgefield from Lenox, Massachusetts, Burns brought her idea to the Town’s Economic & Community Development Commission (ECDC), the Downtown Merchants Association, and the Chamber, “We met one morning in March at the Chamber office, and I showed them what I had in mind and asked for their support - which I received, wholeheartedly,” says Burns.
Burns got to work.” I tracked down the artist who created the Lenox map,” she says. Low and behold, map artist, Bart Arnold, had created several Visitor Maps other Connecticut towns including Norfolk and Fairfield.
“We made arrangements for him to come to Ridgefield for a tour - on foot and by car. I made a list of places I thought should be included in on the map, and we visited all of them and took photos. I also received input from the ECDC and others on the list of sites to be depicted on the map,” explains Burns.
As far as the facts and figures, Burns has calculated that it will cost a minimum of $12,000 to make the Ridgefield Visitor Map a reality. Printed on glossy paper, the 18x24” map will fold to 4" x 9" and be available free of charge. “The cost includes Bart’s fee and printing 5,000 full-color copies,” says Burns.
The initial round of fundraising came from the business organizations in town including the Chamber of Commerce Downtown Ridgefield, the ECDC and inRidgefield. In addition, The Town of Ridgefield contributed $500 toward the project.
Burns also contacted commercial landlords in town, requesting they donate $500 each and she sent Visitor Map packages to local arts and cultural organization, requesting that they contribute $200. “So far, we have received donations from the Donnelly Family Trust, Ridgefield Apartments/Steve Zemo, Urstadt Biddle Properties, Willett Properties and Wayne Addessi,” she says.
Presently, Burns is soliciting local businesses. For $100.00, businesses will be listed on the reverse side of the map. “These will be grouped by category, and the reverse side will also contain some photos of Ridgefield (courtesy of Michele Williams, Photographer, and Chris Burke) and a bit of Ridgefield history,” says Burns.
The deadline to have your business featured on the map is September 15, 2018. Interested businesses need to complete a form which can be picked up at Books on the Common or, you can email info@booksonthecommon.com to request a form be sent to you electronically. Learn more about Visitor Map business listings here.
The ECDC has set up a Town Fund for map donations. Donations should be made payable to "Visitor Information Fund" and mailed to me at Books on the Common, 404 Main Street, Ridgefield 06877.