Forging the path to inclusion

by carly_mchugh | 2 December 2022 10:22 am

By Carly McHugh

Nothing puts your mind at ease better than a walk in nature. Starting on a trail feels like entering a whole new world, leaving the pressures of daily life behind. As you continue around each bend, you make discoveries you never thought about before, learning more about the land with every twist and turn.

While the experience is beautiful, not everyone is able to freely access it, as the tight paths and uneven terrain present a challenge for some, who may opt to avoid trails for their own, or their family’s safety.

However, thanks to two partnered communities in Blind River, Ont., and Laird Signs of Iron Bridge, Ont., the lack of inclusive trails may not be a reality for much longer.

In 2020, the sign shop was approached by Karen Bittner, director of facilities and community services for Blind River, along with Jon Cada, community economic development officer for Mississauga First Nation. They had a vision to create a shared accessible trail, where teachings about the territory would be provided through a First Nations’ lens.

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The product of this vision was the Mossy Rock Trail. The first of its kind in the area, it was conceived as a year-round destination designed to accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, cycling, walking, snowshoeing, and other community activities—for a safe, welcoming experience for all visitors.

Laird Signs had experience with similar projects in the area, including 17 interpretive signs for the Blind River Boom Camp Trails in 2007. The Mossy Rock Trail served as somewhat of an extension of this project, as it was one of the many new trails being developed by the town.

At the outset, Bittner and Cada spoke with the shop’s graphic designer, Monique Gagnon, to share their vision for a lasting, inclusive experience. They provided a general outline of the ideas, concepts, and information they wanted to include, which Gagnon took back to her team to make a reality.

Unfortunately, the project came around the time when the COVID-19 pandemic had first tightened its grip on the world, and everyone would need to think strategically. Despite routine closures, supply chain issues, unpredictable markets, and winter weather, the team refused to sacrifice quality, rush the process, or use the pandemic as an excuse to cut corners.

The project was rolled out in phases and began with two trail entrance signs, followed by seven trail markers, four interactive interpretive signs, and one selfie sign.

[3]Trailhead signs

The trailhead signs highlight the path, indicate the location of the trail markers and interpretive signage, and teach users about the culture, flora, and fauna of the area. They praise the natural elements along the trail and encourage users to leave Mother Earth better than they found her. Graphics illustrate the dos and don’ts on the trail, while the Learning Zone provides a list of relevant words to read in English, French, and Anishinaabemowin.

Each trailhead sign consists of two printed aluminum composite material (ACM) panels: one 2438.4- x 1524-mm (96- x 60-in.) main panel and one 1828.8- x 304.8-mm (72- x 12-in.) under panel. The panels are mounted on cedar posts with a concrete foundation.

At the shop, the signs were mounted on aluminum frames, and steel brackets were welded to hold the posts. During the installation, the team used a mini excavator to dig the holes and mixed the concrete on-site. The brackets were added to the post, and the signs were fastened using stainless steel hardware.

Trail markers

Markers placed throughout the trail communicate to users where they are and how far they have left to go, so they can decide if they would like to turn back or continue their journey.

These components comprise a 508- x 812.8-mm (20- x 32-in.) wrapped piece of aluminum, bent to cover three sides of a 101.6- x 101.6-mm (4- x 4-in.) pressure-treated wood post.

The aluminum sign faces were bent at the shop prior to installation. At the site, the holes for the trail markers were dug using a two-man post auger, then the posts were buried directly into the ground. The signs were attached using stainless steel hardware and the posts were topped with store-bought solar caps.

Interpretive signs

Between the distance markers are wheelchair-accessible, interactive interpretive signs with accompanying benches. Each sign includes 3D and/or movable elements for users to engage with, along with Anishinaabemowin, English, and French text to enhance the learning experience. The signs also include braille, as well as a QR code capability, so project leads can include links to audio files.

The finished size of each interpretive sign is 1524- x 508-mm (60 x 20 in.), which consists of two printed ACM panels: a 1219.2- x 508-mm (48- x 20-in.) upper panel and a 457.2- x 406.4-mm (18 x 16-in.) lower panel.

The braille, along with wood and acorn elements, were fabricated using a 3D printer. Wolf and bear paws were made using cast epoxy with a silicone mould and a reinforced fibreglass backing. Additionally, flip and scroll elements were cut from acrylic using a computer numerical control (CNC) router.

The signs were mounted on 152.4- x 152.4-mm (6- x 6-in.) pressure-treated wood posts. The holes were also dug using a two-man post auger, and the posts were buried in the ground. The steel brackets and aluminum support frames were fabricated in-house, and the signs were affixed using stainless steel hardware. The team also secured some of the elements with very high bond (VHB) double-sided tape

Selfie sign

The selfie station provides an opportunity for users to commemorate their visit to the trail. The 1524- x 1473.2-mm (60- x 58-in) printed ACM frame is supported with in-house welded steel brackets and mounted on 152.4- x 152.4-mm pressure-treated wood posts.

Similar to the trail markers and interpretive signs, a two-man post auger was used to dig the holes, and the posts were buried in the ground. The frame was attached with stainless steel hardware.

All signage components are protected with overlaminate. 

Weathering the storm

As with many sign projects during this time, the team’s first challenge throughout the process was the pandemic. It affected how everyone communicated with each other, but it also made them more forgiving when it came to timelines. Overall, Bittner’s team and the Laird Signs crew stayed positive when dealing with any provincial guideline changes and kept timelines loose and realistic.

The changing seasons and weather were also a factor, due to the outdoor location of the project. As winter frost presented less than desirable conditions for sign installation, the team did their best to plan ahead. They marked locations, dug holes for posts and foundations, and installed the posts before the ground began to freeze.

Whenever possible, the team navigated through the winter weather, using a snowmobile and a sleigh to transport materials and equipment to their locations along the trail. They used their time indoors to build the brackets and frames, print the vinyl, finish the interactive components, and put the signs together.

Once they were assembled, and the weather permitted, the signs were transported to their respective locations and mounted to the posts.

This particular project taught the team at Laird Signs a variety of new techniques, including how to make signs wheelchair accessible and how to create interactive elements suitable for both kids and adults. They also learned how to use a 3D printer and include those elements in a sign application.

For their efforts in designing and creating the Mossy Rock Trail, the town of Blind River and the Mississauga First Nation won a 2021 Destination Northern Ontario Tourism Industry Leader Award.

The project wrapped up in spring 2022, ready for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to enjoy.

Source URL: https://www.signmedia.ca/forging-the-path-to-inclusion/

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