6.3 Awareness

6.3 Signage and Wayfinding

Wayfinding

Signage, both on and off the site, is crucial for attracting people to engage with the site. Accessibility concerns can be addressed by providing easy-to-read signage to properly direct people to the site from major travel corridors, like Hertel Avenue, Main Street, Kenmore Avenue, and Starin Avenue. It would be beneficial to have the site added to local, regional, statewide, or national maps of trails.

Temporary Signage

Temporary signs and posters would be a great way to test the efficacy of signage to determine if it would bring added awareness to the site. WalkYourCity.org has temporary signs which are easy to install and help users better understand the spaces around them. These could be placed along the major travel corridors mentioned above in addition to places along the Rail Trail. Temporary signage is a cheap and easy way to run a trial to determine the need for signage, appropriate placement locations, and improve messaging until there is long-term funding available for the site. Wayfinding signage can go up to direct people to the site. There can be scannable QR codes which lead to maps, websites or additional information.

This can include directions to the location, information about the site, along with educational signage. There can also be updated and newly created maps to inform users on the physical space, paths, additional information and park amenities. This can build upon the existing information that is exhibited along the Rail Trail. These could provide information regarding flora and fauna.

Bulletin boards at the crossroads of Linear Park and the Rail Trail are also recommended. These could be used for groups involved with the site, like the UHC and Tool Library, to share their information and for the community to share their knowledge. For example, if someone wants to put up a business card or a flyer for a local event.