Scenic routes linking and protecting natural and cultural landscape features: a greenway skeleton

To conserve and connect landscapes of particular ecological, recreational and esthetic value, many states and towns have adopted legislation for the designation of scenic routes. This investigation focused on a local scenic roads ordinance to determine if the factors considered in the designation process were appropriate. As identified criteria emphasized natural physical attributes, a procedure was devised to evaluate the importance of cultural features to visual quality. The variation in landscape character of 20 roads eligible for scenic status was sampled by color slide photography. Eight criteria, natural and cultural, potentially affecting observer reactions were selected for comparison. Thirty-six slides sampling these factors were shown to groups of town residents who rated them for preference. Respondents also rated the importance of these same features presented as a verbal list. Statistical analysis of the preference ratings indicated that cultural features were significantly associated with landscape preferences. Preference scores paralleled ratings of comparable verbal items generally, but interesting differences were also found. The information gathered on places of high scenic quality showed that significant landscape features are linked by town roads. Overall, these results imply that scenic routes providing access to significant natural and cultural features have the environmental, social, and practical value to serve as a focus for greenway planning.