Communities across the nation are experiencing the delightful and fun effects of StoryWalk® projects. This family-friendly activity involves reading a story as you follow the pages along a trail or path. The concept has been trending since it was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont in 2007 and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
The Arlington Heights Park District (AHPD) is a public park and recreation agency located in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The district is a suburb of Chicago and has 58 beautiful parks spread over 715 acres of land and 16.2 square miles. AHPD recently completed a park redevelopment project and further enhanced the spaces with colorful new park signage.
Every city has a story, but not every story contains the rich history and pivotal events like that of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Known commonly as the “Secret City,” Oak Ridge was the location of the World War II, top-secret Manhattan Project. The project site is now a National Historical Park, but only some parts remain accessible to the public. With a story like this one, the city set to work to share its origins and the global impact it had on the world, then and now.
Located on a 30-acre historic site in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, The Conococheague Institute is a historic farmstead that provides visitors with “a walk back in time.” Guests and members come to experience the 18th and 19th century structures, along with demonstrations and exhibitions of historically accurate crafts, trades, and costumes.
The beautiful beach community of Slaughter Beach, Delaware, was experiencing the negative effects of sign pollution. Rule, regulation, directional, and instructional signs displayed along fences and on poles left a disorderly and incongruent appearance in the community. The outdoor sign pollution took away from the beach landscape and the visual clusters of signage were left unread and ignored.
Home to the third-largest Shaker community in the United States between 1805 and 1910, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill is Kentucky’s largest National Historic Landmark. Shaker Village attracts thousands of visitors every year to experience the 3,000-acre property, home to 34 original Shaker structures.
Interpretive trail signs provide opportunities for trail users from near and far and of all ages and abilities to develop a connection and appreciation for the surrounding landscape. Durable signs installed throughout the trail, from trailhead to trailhead, make for a unified and memorable experience. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks made this a top priority when working on the signage for South Dakota’s Mickelson Trail.
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.
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.
The Wynola Estates Fire Safe Council (WEFSC) was established with the goal of helping southern California communities become more fire resilient. This is achieved through a variety of projects and programs to preserve natural resources, wildlife, and homes in the event of a fire. Founder and native San Diegan, Coko Brown moved to Wynola Estates in 2011 and has since seen great success in her nine years developing the nonprofit organization. Recently, she has extended her efforts and developed two outreach programs.