The Lees Ferry District of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona is home to miles of trails with many historic sites along the way offering incredible stories of the desert’s history. The trails and sites were in need of fresh interpretive signage to help give visitors a memorable, self-guided educational experience. A signage overhaul is no small undertaking, especially when considering a 120-acre area of land visited by over a million people every year.
After months of researching, designing, and writing the content for the new signs, Glen Canyon staff worked with Pannier to create 35 colorful interpretive wayside exhibits. Some signs replaced dated back to the 1990s! The redesign of the panel graphics created cohesion throughout the district, highlighting the signature National Park Service brand.
For this project in the Arizona desert, there was no question that Gel Coat Laminate (GCL) panels were the right material for the job. Pannier GCL provides the strength of Fiberglass Embedment with an elegantly refined finish, adding a barrier of protection against extreme ultraviolet rays and aggressive elements of the weather.
The project for Lees Ferry District contained a mix of aluminum Low Profile, Upright, and Single Pedestal exhibit bases to help communicate different messages. Low Profile bases position panels in a way that is easy to read without calling attention away from the desert landscape. The Upright bases call attention to important area orientation and trip planning information. And to eliminate printing, folding, and stocking paper brochures, the Single Pedestal bases were designed to act as trail guides along the historic homestead. Carefully considering how to display each panel is essential for accomplishing all of the goals for the project.
Visitors and residents of northern Arizona are highly encouraged to hike through the Lees Ferry District. Not only is it beautiful, but the area is also bursting with history and the updated signs bring park stories to life using new, beautiful images. Furthermore, resource protection messages aim to inspire visitors to Leave No Trace and visit with respect. With the new signs in place, the hope is that there will be an increase in visitors’ understanding and enjoyment of this special area.
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