Sources and Verification Policy
Boardwalks.org uses a source hierarchy suited to facts that change at different speeds. A boardwalk’s historical opening date is not verified in the same way as today’s parking rule or a structural design criterion.
Hierarchy
The responsible authority carries the most weight
| Source level | Examples | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Primary authority | Municipal code, park agency, state department, federal agency, accessibility authority or official owner | Rules, fees, closures, dimensions, permits, access and operating conditions |
| First-party operator | Official attraction, transit, event, parking or business page | Current hours, admission, services, reservations and operator policies |
| Technical primary source | Standards body, government manual, product evaluation, engineering publication or peer-reviewed paper | Definitions, performance, accessibility, environmental effects and design principles |
| Reliable secondary source | Established news organization, historical society, academic institution or specialist publication | History, context and independently reported changes |
| Discovery source | Reviews, social posts, map listings and informal websites | Identifying a question that requires stronger verification |
Freshness
The publication date must fit the claim
A current municipal ordinance should outweigh an older tourism announcement. A temporary event notice should not be presented as a permanent rule. Seasonal schedules need the relevant year, while stable historical or geographic facts may rely on older authoritative records.
- Fast-changingBeach flags, closures, weather, events and emergency notices require current official confirmation.
- SeasonalParking enforcement, beach badges, bicycle hours and lifeguard coverage should identify the applicable season or year.
- Slow-changingLength, surface, ownership and accessibility features are checked for renovations or storm damage.
- HistoricalOpening dates, reconstruction and cultural context may use archives, libraries and historical organizations.
Conflicts
Different dates or jurisdictions often explain disagreement
When sources conflict, the review considers who issued each source, whether it applies to the exact location, when it took effect and whether it was temporary, amended or repealed. The most recent page is not automatically the most authoritative.
Unresolved uncertainty should be stated rather than hidden behind a precise claim.
Technical material
Product marketing is not a substitute for verified performance
Articles about decking, foundations, slope, drainage, railings and accessibility favor standards, public technical manuals, product-specific data and professional publications. Terms such as low maintenance, sustainable, slip-resistant and long-lasting require context, test conditions and limits.
Citation practice
Sources should be close enough to the claim to be useful
Articles may use inline references, linked source notes or a resources section. Source titles should identify the responsible organization and the part of the article they support. Broken or replaced links are updated when detected.
Suspected source problems can be reported through the Contact page.