MTGA Trails Toolkit

Interpretative sign examples and trail sign guidelines created by San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services.

These notes will guide you through the interpretive planning process. You don’t need to follow this model rigidly – it is only a tool – and you may need to consider some elements of the process in a different order. But, interpretive planning will help you structure what you’re doing. It will help you produce successful interpretation and avoid wasting precious resources.

There are advantages and disadvantages of each material available or adapted for use as an interpretive sign. As per their physical characteristics, some will do a more effective job in a chosen location and application than others. Some materials have outstanding capability of graphic resolution and color. Others may aesthetically complement a site because of their earth based or “rustic” appearance. Some materials can withstand degrees of abuse better than others. Others serve as a low cost, but adequate investment and can be replaced easily as needed or ordered in duplicates. The basic differences of sign materials are visual appearance, graphic and text resolution capability, durability, resistance to vandalism and graffiti, and cost of fabrication.

The Wayside Companion is offered to cooperators who are developing their own wayside exhibit plan. It will help you determine if wayside exhibits are right for your project; how to define your interpretive themes, goals and objectives; how exhibits are fabricated and produced; and how to create the exhibits you want.

A Wayfinding and Interpretive Signage presentation from the 2007 Genesee Regional Trails Forum. It discussing learning styles, visitor types, and gives examples of wayfinding and interpretive signage.