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Redmond team outlines parks signage and wayfinding plan, council asks about durability and accessibility
Summary
City presenters described a three‑phase signage and wayfinding project emphasizing user experience, modular design, and regional coordination; council members pressed on durability in Redmond’s damp climate, accessibility (audio/QR options) and when implementation funded in the CIP will begin.
City consultants presented a parks signage and wayfinding plan to the Redmond City Council, describing a three‑phase effort — discovery (completed), design (underway) and documentation (manual of materials and standards) — intended to make it easier for residents and visitors to discover parks and navigate trails.
The project team said the design responds to engagement findings that many parks are “hidden gems” lacking clear entry signage; the team recommended clearer entry icons, highly visible colors, and a breadcrumb approach of regularly spaced trail signs to guide users. The presenters also recommended a modular sign family so signs can be updated piecemeal rather than replaced, reducing reliance on temporary signage as parks and trails evolve.
Why it matters: Council members said the effort could improve park use, regional trail connections and accessibility for people with different abilities. The project team noted transportation planners were involved in the RFP stage to help the city coordinate with regional providers and to avoid conflicting systems.
Council questions and staff responses: Council members asked for written reports and more detailed visual materials from the Miro‑board engagement work; the team said they can produce memos and a more legible slide deck. On durability, Council member Forsyth — who said she has professional experience in wayfinding — warned about Redmond’s damp climate and asked whether modular components would hold up and avoid looking “gross after 2 or 3 years.” The design team acknowledged those operational concerns and said material longevity and maintenance cycles are high priorities.
On accessibility, Council member Sony asked whether designs would accommodate people with visual impairments (high‑contrast color palettes, QR codes or audio options). The team said accessibility was a major theme of community engagement and that final designs will include accessibility measures; exact solutions will be determined during the design phase.
Funding and timing: Project staff said funding for implementation is already in the capital improvement program, but a precise rollout depends on finalizing the guidelines and a prioritization plan. The team expects to complete the standards this summer and to return to council with implementation timelines and opportunities for committee input.
Next steps: Staff will provide more detailed written materials to Council and expect to finalize design standards this summer, after which an implementation plan will be developed and shared.
