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University students present public‑history kiosk concepts and seek community feedback
Summary
Students in a public history class presented kiosk designs for the Norwega Parkway/stream trail and are collecting community feedback via a five‑question survey; Parks staff plan vinyl storyboards to replace older signs.
At the Dec. 12 Parks, Recreation & Harbor Advisory Committee meeting, staff updated members on a public‑history kiosk project for the stream trail and Norwega Parkway that involved students in a University of Maine at Augusta public history class.
Tracey Wolat, director, said students taught by Professor William Reardon completed concept designs and presented them at a library event; a QR code links to the concepts and a five‑question survey to gather community input. "The students, they're working on this...The QR code at the bottom will direct you to a 5 question survey and as well as you should be able to see the concepts that the students provided," Wolat said.
Why it matters: the project aims to replace older storyboards that had degraded and to provide durable, easier‑to‑maintain vinyl signs on the existing concrete pedestals. Wolat said one student research topic included the canoe race and another examined the "legend of Lovers Leap," and that the library and state archives helped students locate historic photos and records.
Staff described an implementation plan: after selecting final designs based on community feedback, the city will produce vinyl panels sized to match existing storyboards and mount them on prepared boards. Wolat said some of the final signs will be placed at Norwega Parkway and that copies are already on display in the library. She also noted rangers and a community action team have increased patrols of the area.
Committee members asked about maintenance and preservation; Wolat said the use of vinyl and simplified framing is intended to make replacements and upkeep easier than the older, more complex framed boards. She also asked committee members to take and circulate the survey to gather broader community feedback.
Ending: staff requested committee help circulating the survey and said the city’s communications team will post the project on the department front page once designs are finalized.
