Greenway Commission backs nature‑guide pilot, authorizes funds and student support

Athens’ Greenway Commission voted Sept. 16 to move forward with a pilot “nature guide” that will install interpretive posts with QR codes along roughly a one‑mile stretch of trail and to make commission resources available to support implementation, including hiring student help or a similar temporary assistant.

Commissioners said the pilot is intended to create a portable template the parks department can scale across the Greenway. Commissioners authorized staff to return with a scope and cost estimate before specific funding is allocated.

The pilot will test 4–6 interpretive points to start, placed roughly within the first mile beginning at the Nature Center. Each wooden post would include a small interpretive sign with a QR code linking to a short description of the feature and, potentially, additional multimedia such as an audio narration or screen‑reader accessible text. The presenters described four proposed content categories — plants and animals, structures, natural features and local history — and said the team is still developing templates that can be reproduced for additional sites.

Staff described a tactile element as part of the post design: a flat face intended for rubbings that children could collect as a passport activity. The commission discussed accessibility requirements and advised using both color and symbols so materials remain usable for people with color‑vision impairments. Presenters said the QR codes can be tracked to collect usage metrics, and the commission asked staff to consider existing trail counters when measuring any change in trail use after installation.

Park planning staff asked the commission to authorize use of modest commission resources to pay for help producing on‑the‑ground content and installing the first prototype. Commissioners said the group has supported similar work before and asked staff to produce a written proposal and estimated costs. Commissioners referenced an earlier contract for a comparable network plan update that, by comparison, involved about $2,000 in direct support for contractor or student help; staff said they would provide current price estimates for materials and etching as part of the proposal.

The commission made two related motions and approved both by voice vote: first, to endorse the project direction and continue development; second, to authorize the commission to use organizational funds to provide resources for implementation, with particulars to be defined after staff returns with estimates. Commissioners also agreed to share project documents using a shared file location so members can comment on draft materials.

Presenters said the pilot is intended to be iterative: the team will show a prototype to the commission after the initial installation and adjust materials and spacing (for example, whether rubbings remain concentrated near park facilities for families while interpretive content for adults is distributed more widely). Staff noted some questions remain about final sign materials, etching costs and long‑term maintenance; they also said they would solicit pricing from local sign vendors and provide a procurement recommendation.

The motion to proceed included a direction that staff bring back a written proposal and cost estimate; the motion to authorize use of commission funds included language that particulars would be “identified in the future.” Both motions passed by voice vote; the meeting record does not show roll‑call tallies.

The commission’s decision follows public discussion this year about broadening Greenway programming beyond recreation, and planners said the nature guide aims to highlight ecological features and local history to trail users, schools and informal interpretive audiences. Staff emphasized the project will be developed in consultation with partners and that the first mile will serve as a prototype before broader rollout.