Strategic Planning
Lake Placid Bicycle Path Feasibility Study
Saranac Lake (2001)
Report Links: WEB 
This project initiated work on a rails-with-trails project for developing of a ten-mile bicycle path linking the Upstate New York communities of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. There is currently interest in the path within the two communities, but no single organization or entity has had the funding or the personnel to take the next steps towards path development. The grant filled that void and allowed ANCA to promote intercommunity cooperation on this significant improvement to the region's bicycling infrastructure. The bicycle path will provide residents and visitors - and especially families - an outstanding opportunity for birding, wildlife viewing and to simply enjoy bicycling along a route that offers a diversity of scenery and views. The project also funded development of a new regional Web site;BikeAdirondacks.org - providing bicycle tourism information and links to bicycle shops and other sources of information in the region. BikeAdirondacks.org is maintained and updated by Holmes & Associates.
Improving the Economic Benefit of Outdoor Recreation Tourism in the Central Adirondacks
Wildlife Conservation Society and the Adirondack Communities & Conservation Program (2000)
Report Links: WEB
Tourism is significant to Adirondack communities because it represents a common thread unifying development and conservation issues in the Adirondacks. As a follow-up to the 1999 study, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Holmes & Associates hosted a work-shop to provide an opportunity for small business owners to further define priority issues and to outline an agenda for outdoor recreation tourism planning and promotion for an area of the Adirondacks most in need of economic assistance. The brief workshop summary presents the main priority issues identified by the participants during the distillation session near the end of the workshop. The issues are organized under three different headings corresponding to local, regional, and State level issues. Following those over-all priorities are the main issues raised in within each of three workshop discussion sessions: Needed Innovations in Outdoor Recreation Tourism Development; Trails & Recreation Corridors; and, Unit Management Plans (UMPs). Under those three topics, the priority issues are categorized under three main areas of focus: Information and Education Priorities, Land Use Management Priorities, and Re-search and Marketing Priorities.
North Country Public Radio Survey
North Country Public Radio (1997)
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Holmes & Associates designed the eight-page questionnaire distributed to 3,200 member households, resulting in a 46% response rate. The survey effort provided the development director with accurate data that is being used to promote, market and improve the station.
Port Henry Lakeshore Campground Development Feasibility Study
Port Henry, Town of Moriah (1996)
Report Links: WEB
Holmes & Associates assisted Port Henry citizens and local government officials in evaluating possible futures for the two lakeshore campgrounds. The goal of the project was to develop a 'best scenario' for the campgrounds that will improve their appearance and function, maximize the economic return to the municipality, and to redevelop the campgrounds into a community asset that village residents can be proud of.
Adirondack North Country Bicycle Master Plan
Adirondack North Country (1994)
Report Links: WEB
This year-long project resulted in a multi-purpose planning document, a GIS database, a bicycle-touring database that will contribute to developing the North Country region as the premier bicycling area in the Northeast. In the process of developing a comprehensive Bicycling Master Plan for the entire 14 county region, the study team accomplished the following: a inventory major corridors; compiled GIS data; reviewed nation-wide bicycling literature; surveyed a sample of bicyclists and a sample of lodging owners; develop recommendations for promoting bicycling in the region; and, produced a prototype regional bicycle map using the GIS database. This was a five-person study team effort.
Adirondack Museum Membership Survey
Adirondack Museum (1991)
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Holmes & Associates developed this questionnaire survey directed at the 2,000 members of the Adirondack Museum. We designed the evolving membership database an performed analysis and reporting on the findings of the research. The membership database is now an integral part of the Museum's membership and volunteer programs.
Lake Champlain Economic Database Project
Lake Champlain Management Conference (1993)
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Holmes & Associates assembled a highly qualified study team of five professional researchers for this socio-economic study of the Lake Champlain Basin. This project provided the LCMC with the following data and information: an accurate, accessible economic database for the entire basin; a description and discussion of Lake Champlain-dependent economic sectors; and, an analysis of alternative economic strategies for developing an efficient, fair, and effective pollution control program for the Basin.
School Age Population Demographic Analysis
Saranac Lake Central School District (1994)
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The School District is faced with over-crowded schools. Prior to finalizing plans for new school additions, the District needs to know what class sizes they can expect over the next 10 - 20 years, and which schools in the district will experience the most growth. Holmes & Associates designed a multi-faceted approach to providing the necessary information, including: demographic analysis of Census and school-aged population data; assessment of growth potential by major employers in the District; analysis of land-use and development maps; and interviews with realtors, developers, and other knowledgeable individuals.
Paul Smith's College, President's Advisory Panel on the Hotel Saranac
Paul Smith's College (1995)
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Tim Holmes served as the moderator and facilitator for a 10 person group defining the proper role of The Hotel Saranac in the educational mission of Paul Smith's College. This two day session resulted in issues summary and a series of recommendations.
The Future of the Adirondacks: A Survey of Attitudes
Adirondack Museum (1990)
Report Links: WEB
This survey of 475 individuals obtained comparative data on the attitudes towards future management of the Adirondack Park, as held by the four major groups having an interest in the area: Adirondack residents, part-time residents, New York resident visitors, and out-of-state visitors to the Adirondacks. Research design, questionnaire development, data collection, analysis, and reporting were all responsibilities of Holmes & Associates.
