Case study: Project management of new walking maps for the Forest of Dean
Client: Canopy Creative Network
What we did
We led the end-to-end project management of the design, production, distribution and launch of three new walking maps for the Forest of Dean, funded by the Forest of Dean District Council’s Active Travel Grant. The project required coordinating multiple stakeholders, suppliers and creative teams under a strict timeline, delivering high-quality outputs on schedule and within budget. The project culminated in a well-attended celebratory launch event with media coverage across key regional titles. This project demonstrates how creative collaboration and strong project management can deliver lasting community resources that encourage inclusive exploration of the Forest.
The challenge
The Forest of Dean District Council’s Active Travel Fund aims to empower local organisations to deliver practical, community-led solutions that make walking, cycling and wheeling safer, more accessible and more appealing. Local arts collaborative Canopy Creative Network proposed creating new walking maps to raise awareness of accessible active travel as a tool for wellbeing and creativity and enable more people to access the Forest. The key challenge was to deliver fully accessible printed walking maps within a short timeframe, balancing creative input with technical accuracy and stakeholder requirements.
The objectives
- Produce three double-sided A3 illustrated maps
- Develop inclusive routes promoting wellbeing and accessibility
- Incorporate creative elements to foster deeper engagement with nature
- Ensure technical, safety, location and accessibility information was accurate and clear
- Plan and deliver public walks with local artists to test routes and gather creative input
- Manage production, distribution and promotional rollout
- Create supporting website and social media content
- Organise a launch event and secure press coverage
Our strategy
- Structured project management and comprehensive project plan
- Detailed timeline with key deliverables and milestones to ensure smooth coordination and on-time delivery
- Integration of logistics, accessibility standards and creative practice
- Strong stakeholder communication to streamline approvals and ensure alignment
- Creative lead role to keep the project vision on track and ensure all goals were met
- Quality control at every stage, from illustration to print and distribution
The implementation
- Route development, accessibility audits, risk assessments, stakeholder approval
- Transport and access considerations, parking and public transport links
- Commissioning an illustrator, managing design briefs, revisions and sign-off
- All communications, creative mapping and documentation
- Print management, supplier liaison, quality control checks
- Community outreach, distribution plan for 1,500 physical maps plus digital downloads
- Event planning: launch organisation, media coordination and stakeholder engagement
- Content creation: press release, website copy and social media rollout
The results
- Three beautifully illustrated A3 walking maps of the Forest of Dean
- 1,500 printed maps distributed across the district and beyond
- Produced digital formats for download on the website
- Three creative walks of the new routes successfully delivered with artwork collected
- Strengthened partnerships with local authorities, creative practitioners and organisations
- Raised awareness of active travel as a tool for wellbeing, creativity and accessibility
- Well-attended celebratory launch event bringing together stakeholders, volunteers, participants and media
- Wrote blog posts, website content and social media posts increasing engagement and clicks for the client
- Secured widespread media coverage across key regional titles
- Delivered all outputs to schedule and within budget
Press coverage
Included BBC Gloucestershire, The Forest and Wye Valley Review, SoGlos, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, The Forester, Dean Radio and Forest of Dean District Council.
Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Cllr Chris McFarling said: “The new maps… are beautifully illustrated and do a fantastic job of displaying just some of the incredible wildlife that can be found on short walks in the Forest of Dean. The new maps highlight routes that are accessible to all, helping to promote access to the outdoors, improving people’s sense of wellbeing and better health. Learning about the beautiful natural surroundings we have here in the Dean to enjoy is a welcome activity for those of all ages.”
Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Jackie Fraser said: “The new maps are beautiful to look at and feature carefully designed routes aimed at those who may find walking challenging.”
