Fiberglass Signs Educate Cumberland Valley Rail Trail Users

The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail is a scenic, 13-mile trail that follows an abandoned railroad track from Newville, Pennsylvania, to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. In 2012, thirteen Pannier Fiberglass Embedded panels and Traditional T exhibit bases were installed along the Cumberland Valley Rail Trail. The signage serves to educate the thousands of trail users that walk, cycle, and horseback ride along the trail each year. Signage topics share the history of the Cumberland Valley Railroad from early railroad travel, to agricultural and Civil War heritage.

Creating Connections Through Interpretive Signage

People visit parks and recreation areas for a wide variety of reasons: education, adventure, relaxation, exercise — the list goes on. The one reason that each visitor has in common is that they are searching for something they value (Bacher et al. 8). When looking at the intricate world, it is human nature to ask questions and want to make meaning of experiences. What event took place here? What year was this built? Why is this location so special? What is the origin of this flower, and what mountain range is that? Site-specific interpretation is vital to learning, understanding and finding value in an area’s past and present, while also generating future action.