Almost every state has at least one road claiming to be scenic or historic, and citizens often have sought formal recognition of the route's merit from either state or federal governments. There are three avenues for such recognition-State Scenic Byway, National Scenic Byway, and National Forest Scenic Byway. Achieving any of these can mean improved planning, access to special funds, and assistance with marketing and promotion. EDRP staff interviewed representatives of 15 byways across the country so that the Wiregrass Trail Association could learn from their experiences. Most byways' goals include beautification, preservation, and maintenance of the route.
All byways strongly emphasize education, including interpretive signage and brochures.
The single most important success factor for scenic byways is broad-based support. Apply for State Scenic Byway designation. Assess and improve signage and interpretation on all assets. Measure the effectiveness of all strategies for byway enhancement and promotion by tracking factors such as lodging occupancy, food service receipts, traffic counts, and sales tax revenue.