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Commission reviews draft interpretive panels for North Davis Upland and asks for edits
Summary
Staff presented interpretive‑panel designs for the North Davis Upland site developed with Friends of North Davis Pond; commissioners asked to replace cartoon imagery, clarify wording on pollination and plant reproduction, integrate a short mention of 'snags' or logs for habitat, and consider duplicate panels near the boardwalk.
Tracy presented draft interpretive panels for the North Davis Upland open‑space area that were produced with Friends of North Davis Pond and a professional designer. The panels aim to introduce common local birds, pollinators, and the site’s hydrology, and to provide QR links to more detailed eBird lists.
Friends recommended removing a cartoon bird visual and replacing it with authentic photos taken at the site; Tracy said those site photographs were included where available. Commissioners backed the concept summarized as "messy is good" (explaining why staff do not routinely remove fallen logs and leaf litter because the material supports native species) but asked the design team to avoid the working title "teenager's room" and instead keep messaging accessible to family audiences.
Members also raised two specific content edits: add a brief explanation of "snags" (standing dead trees) or logs as wildlife habitat where it fits naturally within existing slides, and replace the phrase "plant sex" with "plant reproduction" or similarly age‑appropriate wording. Tracy said pollinator graphics that require high‑cost imagery would likely be simplified; commissioners requested larger bird photos and suggested placing a duplicate panel on the boardwalk side where visitor traffic is higher.
Tracy noted the panels are 24x36 inches and that the Friends group had curated many local photos for use. She committed to consolidating Friends’ feedback and returning with revised artwork and options for logo placement (city logo vs. program medallion) for staff review prior to fabrication.
No formal action was taken; commissioners provided design direction and asked staff to circulate updated panels for quick review.
