Residents and visitors in Grand Forks can now discover the city’s rich history through a new initiative called Talking Trails, a self-guided walking tour app that offers audio stories about significant downtown landmarks. This innovative project, launched in partnership between the Downtown Development Association (DDA) and Visit Greater Grand Forks, aims to enhance community engagement and tourism in the area.
Jill Proctor, president and chief executive officer of the DDA, emphasized the importance of sharing the historical narratives that have shaped the community. “We just think it’s important that we continue to share the history of the things that have impacted downtown, impacted our community,” Proctor stated. The app is designed to allow users to explore notable sites at their own pace, providing an enriching experience for both locals and tourists.
Exploring Historic Landmarks
The Talking Trails app features a variety of locations, currently listing ten sites, with the potential to expand to twelve. Each site is equipped with signage facing pedestrians to avoid distracting drivers. These signs direct users to the app, where they can access audio recordings detailing the history and significance of each landmark, including the iconic Sorlie Bridge and the paddle wheel in Town Square.
The app’s functionality includes a map feature that shows the location of each trail, allowing users to navigate easily. When users click on a site, the app opens the phone’s maps application for seamless navigation. Proctor highlighted the personal touch of the stories, mentioning that many are narrated by local figures. For instance, the story behind the downtown light pillars was shared by their designer, David Badman, who explained their significance and design inspiration.
Community Engagement and Future Expansion
The DDA has received numerous requests for guided tours of downtown, and the introduction of the Talking Trails app provides a flexible alternative. Visitors can now engage with the city’s history at any time that suits them. Julie Rygg, executive director of Visit Greater Grand Forks, noted the initiative’s potential to enhance recreational activities for visitors. “We’re always interested in looking for ways that visitors have more recreational things to do while they’re here,” she stated.
Proctor expressed optimism about the app’s ability to facilitate historical exploration. “This is an at-your-own-pace opportunity for people to stumble upon and just go out and explore and enjoy all the things that downtown has to offer,” she said. The DDA and Visit Greater Grand Forks hope that the community will embrace this project, paving the way for further expansion throughout Grand Forks and nearby East Grand Forks.
As the community engages with this new resource, the Talking Trails app stands to enrich the cultural landscape of Grand Forks, allowing both residents and visitors to connect with the city’s vibrant history.
