By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
New maps being installed at several key spots at Valley of Fire State Park are meant to guide visitors to the commercial services offered in nearby Overton.
The colorful maps were created by Stoney and Christine Ward of local company Awesome Adventures Tours. The maps highlight and locate all of the tourist-related businesses in the Moapa Valley community.
“It is all about promoting and encouraging local businesses,” said Stoney Ward who also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “This is a very big thing for us. I hope that people in town will understand what a big deal that is.”
The map project started when Sandra Hufford, of the Valley of Fire State Park staff, came to speak at a meeting of the Moapa Valley Revitalization Project (MVRP) late last year. She was invited by MVRP president MaryKaye Washburn, to discuss ways that the community could better partner with the State Park. From that came a list of ideas that might help to draw Park visitors to local commercial spots, Washburn said.
“We have been excited that the Valley of Fire staff has been totally committed to help and support this community,” Washburn said. “This is an effort which, we hope, will educate and direct people into downtown Overton who might never have known that we are here.”
The maps will be posted at prominent spots in the Valley of Fire Visitor’s Center and also at information kiosks in Park campgrounds. Ward emphasized that the maps also refer people to seek more information at the Chamber of Commerce website at www.moapavalleychamber.com.
“We want to direct people that way as much as possible,” Ward said. “Because it can be always updated, it would be kind of the hub of information about the community to visitors looking in.”
