The City Park Sign System

3.1 Typography

Links to purchase typefaces used:

ClearviewADA Condensed Regular and Bold http://www.terminaldesign.com/fonts/clearviewada-condensed-complete-family/

ClearviewText Medium http://www.terminaldesign.com/fonts/clearviewtext-complete-family/

Tisa Pro Bold https://www.myfonts.com/fonts/fontfont/tisa-pro/

Huronia Pro https://www.rosettatype.com/Huronia

3.2 Colours & Finishes

3.3 Sign Types

Proposed City Park Signs

Citywide Wayfinding Sign Types

3.4 Park Signs

Park Identification Sign

The Park ID is the only City Parks sign with a single function. In cases where a park is deemed to require identification visible to passing traffic, this large format ID sign is used to announce a main park entrance for vehicle access.

Usage

The large format Park Identification sign serves both to indicate a park entrance and to reinforce the identity of the park in question as a significant destination. This sign is intended for park entry points which are primarily accessed by vehicle, usually at a dedicated parking lot. This sign will typically be two-sided, however it may be single-sided if it backs onto a wooded area or is otherwise obscured from the street and any nearby foot paths. The fabrication of the sign is to be done in such a manner as to allow the Side A and Side B panels to be removed independently once the sign is installed on site.

Content

This sign is the only single function sign for City Parks, with messaging limited to Park ID and basic amenity info. Regulatory information is not recommended for this sign as it is more complicated than can be easily absorbed by a driver as they enter the park (regulatory information should instead be posted at the main transition point between the parking lot and the park).

Park Address The park address should correspond to the location of the signed entrance. If there is no corresponding address for the access point in question this content should be omitted rather than including potentially confusing information such as a street number for a road on the opposite side of the park from the signed entrance.

Amenity Icons If amenity icons are shown at least three, and not more than six should be used. The selection of amenities indicated is entirely discretionary, however it is assumed that for parks with multiple attractions, the most significant facilities will be given priority over secondary or niche seasonal uses. Refer to Park Pictograms from the City of Victoria Communication Guidelines. Parks with multiple entrances may also have different amenities indicated at different access points.

Placement

Because the purpose of the sign is to indicate an entrance point, the sign should be placed as closely as possible to that entrance. To be effective the faces of the sign (Side A & Side B) should always be as close to perpendicular to the flow of traffic as possible. This will provide the best view of the sign for approaching traffic.

Other factors to consider when placing this sign may include:

• changing sight lines as the entrance is approached different directions
• typical traffic flows: do park visitors generally approach from a particular direction?
• Pedestrian visibility: ensure sign does not obscure a clear view of pedestrians attempting to cross the street.
• Lighting: If there is a nearby street lamp, placing the sign within the cone of light will improve sign visibility in low light conditions.

Park Identification Sign - Specifications

Directory Sign

The Directory sign is intended to double as a park Id sign at significant pedestrian arrival or transition points.

Usage

This sign functions as a Park ID and information sign. It is intended to provide an overview of large or complex areas, typically at key pedestrian arrival points. For large parks the map may be used to indicate the locations of various destinations within the park. For small or medium sized parks this sign allows park identification, wayfinding, and regulatory information to be consolidated onto a single sign. In such cases the map may be used to indicate destinations and pathways in the surrounding area, connecting as an element of the Citywide Wayfinding system.

Content

This sign contains the most complex information of the park wayfinding signs, including park identification, directional content, park information, a map and map key. Space is available below the map area for park information and regulatory messaging as required by the particular location of the sign. This sign is intended to be one-sided, however if this becomes an issue supplementary content or decorative elements may be developed for display on the reverse of the sign.

Sign Name Lekwungen name twinning optional (but recommended wherever possible). Neighbourhood identification may also be integrated into the wayfinding panel, following the same standards as the thin pylon sign.

Directional Signing This sign type may interact with the Citywide Wayfinding System or address only destinations within the park itself. Either way, destinations within the park should be given the priority of Tier 1 destinations as directional content is determined. Whether within or outside of the park, destinations for each directional arrow should be listed in order of distance, from nearest to farthest.

Maps Ideally the map element of this sign will be displayed at the same scale as that of the thin pylon sign, however it is understood that depending on the size of the area in question different map scales may need to be used. If this sign is used as an all-in-one option for a small park, it is recommended that the map extent should show some of the community around the park rather than dramatically altering the scale.

Placement

There are two faces to consider when placing this sign: the directional messaging and the short angle with the vertical Park Identification text. The messaging face should be parallel to the adjacent sidewalk or pathway, while the Park ID side should always face towards someone entering the park. Because of this, sometimes the bent angle will be on the right and sometimes it will be on the left. Either way, the layout of the messaging should remain the same (ie. do not mirror the content layout).

• Wherever possible, install the sign in locations where the reverse side is obscured from most angles of view.
• If installed in an area that requires regular lawn mowing or similar maintenance, ensure the sign base provides a minimum of 250mm of clearance from the sign post.

Directory Sign - Specifications

Directional Post

The directional and regulatory post may be thought of as a scaled down directory sign for use in small parks or other simple locations where a few directional cues or park information are all that is required.

Usage

This sign functions primarily as a park identification and wayfinding tool, however the secondary panels may also be used for regulatory messaging and park information. It is intended to be used in situations where park amenity/regulatory information may be useful, but neither a detailed map nor complex directional information is required. For small parks or secondary access points, this sign also functions as a park identification sign. The messaging on this sign is intended to be legible for pedestrians and will be most effective when posted at on-foot entry or key decision points within the park.

Content

This sign consists of a primary park identification panel and up to four supplementary panels that may include directional information, regulatory messaging or a basic map, showing for instance, dog-off-leash or dogs-not permitted areas.

Park ID and information The main panel of this sign will always include basic park identification and information, including amenity icons and park hours, if applicable. For smaller parks, this may be the primary (or only) park identification sign.

Directional Signing When used as directional cues the secondary panels must always be installed so that the arrows point away from the post. Panels pointing in the same direction should be grouped together to avoid giving the sign a disjointed appearance. If necessary forward diagonal arrows [↖, ↗] may be used provided they also point away from the post, however forward and backward directional arrows [↑, ↓] should not be used on this sign.

Maps Small panel maps are an option on this sign to define boundaries or locations for specific regulations (boat launch areas, off-leash areas, etc). These maps should provide enough information to clearly identify the specific area including any relevant topographic detail, however additional details such as unrelated labels or amenity icons should not be shown.

Regulatory Messaging When used for regulatory messaging the secondary panels should adopt the type-size and style of similarly sized regulatory fingerboards. The typical content and layout of the 225mm x 300mm sign may be adapted to the 240 x 240mm panel with minimal adjustments.

Placement

This sign is considered an arrival and transition point sign, where Side-A faces “outward” to anyone entering the park, and Side-B may be included to provide directional information parallel to the adjacent pathway. Outward, in this case should be the most common direction of approach for anyone first arriving at the sign location. Because of this, locations for this sign should be chosen strategically such that they always have a reasonably intuitive direction of arrival. If the area in question functions more like an intersection, with multiple directions of approach, the Finger Post sign should be considered as a more appropriate choice for the location.

Directional Post - Specifications

Regulatory Post

The core benefit of this sign is its ability to communicate changing options and limitations to park visitors as they transition from one space to another. Moving from a city sidewalk or parking lot, it marks the space as a park and identifies the basic characteristics of the area.

Usage

The primary role of this sign is to provide park identification with at-a-glance information about key park regulations and amenities. This sign type may be used at secondary park entrances and transition points or at locations where reenforcement of park regulations is needed. This sign type is particularly suited for use along pedestrian pathways which run through multiple parks and public spaces. Posted at points where such pathways enter a city park, this sign serves to enhance a visitor’s sense of place while providing basic information about the area.

Content

It is important to balance regulatory and amenity information to prevent these signs from appearing unwelcoming. To avoid presenting an unwelcoming sign full of “DO NOT” pictograms use affirmative representations where possible. Eg: “Walk on designated pathway” as opposed to “Do not walk on bike path”. To enhance the at-a-glance understanding of information presented on this sign ensure that icons are visually distinct from one another and more detailed messaging is kept to one or two items at most.

Sign Name Park ID to be displayed on both sides of the sign. Lekwungen name twinning recommended where possible. Because this sign has a very small footprint the park name will be the most prominent piece of information visible from most viewing angles.

Pictograms Up to seven pictograms may be displayed on the messaging panel of this sign. A single line of identifying text is allowed for in conditions where this sign displays only pictograms. If additional copy is added spacing should be maintained around and between each icon. If possible include additional messaging below the pictogram area rather than in between individual icons.

Prohibitive “Do not” icons should be kept to a minimum for clarity of communication and avoiding an unwelcoming appearance. This will also serve to emphasize the specific prohibitive messaging that is included, increasing the likelihood that it will be noticed and acted upon.

Placement

This Regulatory Marker Post is best suited for minor transition points or as reinforcement of other regulatory signage. The messaging face of the sign should face towards approaching foot traffic. Usually this will result in sign placements perpendicular to sidewalk traffic at the edge of a park and facing outward when placed along a pathway within the park.

This sign has a very small footprint and profile and may be placed immediately adjacent to pedestrian pathways. If placed adjacent to a pathway open to cyclists the sign should be set back at least 25cm from the pathway. If placed adjacent to a street or parking lot, the sign should be located at least 50cm away from the nearest curb.