Interpreting the Hudson River & Central Adirondack Trail Scenic

Portfolio Description

We contracted with the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) for the NYS Department of Transportation to improve signage along the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway. Traveling U.S. Highway 9, State Route 28, and State Route 8, the scenic byway traces a 153-mile-long trail through the heart of the Adirondack Park from Glens Falls to Rome, New York. To enhance the experience of those traveling the scenic byway, signage has been erected which explores various themes relevant to the peoples, livelihoods, environments and cultures found throughout the region.

However, the original signs were placed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and now are in various states of disrepair. Our partnership with ANCA focuses on reinterpreting, replacing or adding to signs along State Route 28 between the towns of Indian Lake and North Creek. We are seeking to design signage which emphasizes the Hudson River and the water resources of the Central Adirondacks.

One of the signs along the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway. The signs were originally placed in 1998 and many, such as this one, show signs of age and weathering (bottom center).

Methodology

Since this project is directed and driven by public feedback, the first step was to meet with representatives of ANCA and other stakeholders including locals, community leaders, and visitors to establish goals for interpretive signage that would reach a varied audience of Adirondack residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and travelers. While the central theme idea is to emphasize the watershed, the sub-themes used to explore the watershed are determined by public input.

Adirondack Research has conducted individual interviews with stakeholders and over the course of the project, will hold a series of public forums on the proposed signage. We have also conducted research on comparable public roadside signs, existing Scenic Byway materials, and other relevant materials. Meeting with the public as well as researching previously existing materials will help to narrow down our list of sub-themes and gauge interest as well as perceived need for information on various topics.

Once themes are determined, we will develop messaging and an outline for each panel of the proposed signs. These will also include preliminary site placement suggestions. Following development, the outlines will be presented to ANCA and the general public for feedback and commentary. Once the outlines are met with approval, we will finalize the themes and begin graphic design development to aid with storytelling. This will result in a final draft of the proposed signs which will once again be presented to stakeholders.

Adirondack Research is working with the Adirondack North Country Association on the Central Adirondack Scenic Byways interpretive signage project.

The final aspect of the project will be location and site planning for the signs. While we currently have four proposed signs to be replaced, as of yet it is unclear whether we will be completely removing and replacing the old signs or if we will move the new signs to a different, more accessible location. By consulting with local stakeholders and ANCA staff, we will be able to maximize readership and audience engagement with the new messaging. Finally, the signs will be placed, and all who travel the Central Adirondack Scenic Byway will have the opportunity to engage with the new material. The finalized signs will be placed in the summer of 2019.

Our Partners

The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) is an independent non-profit organization which works to build dynamic local economies that sustain thriving communities in Northern New York. ANCA leverages investment in key sectors that drive sustainable local environmental development and enhances the quality of life for the people who live, work, and visit the Adirondacks.

We have also partnered with numerous community organizations, local governments, and individuals to develop the messaging we will convey with the new signs in order to ensure various stakeholder interests are considered and expressed.

Client: Adirondack North Country Association Medium: High Pressure Laminate mounted on roadside display stands Size: 40″x28″ Attribution: Nicole Keating was the cartographer and graphic designer, Janelle Hoh, Gabriella Gurney, and Carrie Griffo performed research, and Ezra Schwartzberg was the production coordinator.