Comprehensive Signage Plan Community Engagement
A visual story of the community engagement efforts for The Trail Conservancy's Comprehensive Signage Plan
Welcome to the project information page for the Butler Trail Comprehensive Signage Plan.
This page will be updated frequently as the project progresses.
The mission of The Trail Conservancy (TTC) is to protect, enhance and connect the Butler Trail at Lady Bird Lake for the benefit of all. With more than 4.9 million visits a year, the 10-mile hike-and-bike trail and associated 250 acres of parkland in downtown Austin around Lady Bird Lake is Austin’s most recognized and popular recreational area. TTC works in partnership with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) to close the gap between what the City provides and what the Trail deserves. All parkland that the Butler Trail encompasses is City of Austin parkland.
TTC selected fifteen charter projects in honor of its 15th anniversary and this comprehensive signage project was included. TTC has initiated and completed fourteen capital improvement projects including the Boardwalk, the Trail Bridge at Congress Avenue, four new ADA-compliant restroom facilities, waterfront access points, tree groves and trailheads. To date, the Conservancy has contributed over $19.8 million in private sector funds into the Trail.
The Trail Conservancy Vision Statement
The beloved Butler Trail is a natural sanctuary that hugs the shores of Lady Bird Lake in the heart of downtown Austin. It’s a healing place, a place where people go to clear their minds, commune with nature, gather for fun, or stretch their boundaries. It’s miles of well-loved places—a place to splash in the lake, push a stroller, spot a heron, hear live music, grab a beer, catch up with friends, ride a bike, run for miles, or just be. It’s a place to experience Austin in all its diversity at every stage of our lives. And it’s the center of the city’s expanding network of connected urban paths. Ultimately, the Trail will extend further eastward and westward along the lake. It’s easy for everyone in Austin to get to. It connects people to nature and us to one another for generations to come.
Project Introduction
Previously, the signage and wayfinding system on the Trail has represented twenty-five years of uncoordinated design by different entities. Existing sign types on the Trail include:
- Interpretative signs
- Directional & wayfinding signs
- Mile markers
- Informational/regulatory signs
- Spoke trail signs
- Loop maps
Existing Trail signage typologies
The majority of these signs have been installed on the portion of the Butler Trail west of IH-35. This project will review the signage that has been installed and evaluate the potential to keep and/or update this work. Page was selected as the lead consultant for this plan.
Additional signage that TTC is interested in implementing:
Rain garden interpretive signage at East Avenue
- Regulatory signage
- Trail etiquette: MPH, 2 abreast, dogs - scoop the poop, strollers, call out/pass on left, scooters, dogs in high temperatures, litter, one wheel motorized skateboards, high speeds
- Reporting signage (call 311 if ….)
- Drinking fountain signage (track usage, how many water bottles can we reduce, etc)
- Health and wellness messaging
- Digital interfacing/opportunities
- Templates for art interpretation signs
- Future loop map locations
Project Schedule
Community Engagement #1
Online Community Survey
June 14 – July 12, 2023 155 surveys completed
Trail Pop-Up at Festival Beach
June 24, 2023 (9:00 - 11:00AM) Displayed maps of the Trail asking for input on areas of interest Interacted with approximately 30 Trail users
Trail Pop-Up at Auditorium Shores
June 24, 2023 (9:00 - 11:00AM) Displayed maps of the Trail asking for input on areas of interest Interacted with approximately 30 Trail users
Focus Groups
June 16 Invited a total of 53 people - Trail users, stakeholders, and transportation partners Hosted six groups with a total of 19 participants
Focus Group Feedback
5 focus group discussions | 13 participants | 53 focus groups contacted
- trail partners
- all-abilities
- kayakers
- SUP
- canoeing
- runners
What kind of information would you like to see on the signs along the Trail?
Common Themes
- Maps / location
- Mile markers with clear start
- Vegetation and poison ivy
- Bike speed limits
- Crossings
- City places and connections to the city
- History
- Trail rules and etiquette
Do you think that the signage at the Trail is currently providing not enough, enough or too much information?
Would you like to share something else about the Trail's signage?
Common Themes
- Didn't notice much signage
- More attractive signs - playful language and easier to identify
Do you find the Trail easy to navigate?
What are the most difficult places to navigate along the Trail?
Have you noticed signage on the Trail?
What kind of informational signage could be useful?
What uses or areas of interest could be better signed along the Trail?
Survey Feedback
What kind of informational signage would be useful?
Identify up to three areas along the Trail that are most difficult to navigate.
Identify your three favorite points of interest along the Trail.
Identify the main places you need to navigate to from the Trail.
Key Takeaways from Engagement #1
Mile markers and context
Trail users want more mile markers and with more contextual information.
Trail maps provide the full picture, but that information is not reaching many users.
Trailheads and entry points
Consider how trailheads and entry points are identified - are they consistent, are they clearly marked and visible?
These points should be prioritized for providing adequate trail information, orientation and wayfinding support.
Wayfinding and decision points
There are several decision points along the trail that are giving trail users confusion.
These points should be prioritized for providing adequate wayfinding support.
Density and consolidation
Sign clutter in areas results in competing information and hierarchy. Many instances are several single message signs with different styles.
Consider all abilities
The trail has varying degrees of accessibility and challenges. Consider ways of denoting features so all users can know what to expect—whether through signage and/or online tools.
Connections beyond the Trail
Provide wayfinding support to popular landmarks and destinations outside of the trail.
Provide wayfinding support for users looking for places to hop off the trail to get into downtown and to other points.
Celebrate our Trail
With an emphasis on 'our'. The Trail is a beautiful and treasured place and it benefits us all. Signage plan should explore messaging to remind users and visitors of this.
We heard about people's favorite places along the trail. Signage plan should consider identifying some of these places. (Ex: Lou Neff Point, The Rock).
People want to know more about the trail's ecological features. Signage plan should include consideration and updated guidelines for interpretive signs.
Butler Trail Comprehensive Signage Plan Feedback
Community Engagement #2
Online Community Survey
November 4 - December 7, 2023 261 surveys completed
Trail Pop-Up at Johnson Creek Trailhead and Festival Beach
November 4, 2023 Displayed initial designs for the proposed signage family
Trail Interviews
November 6 - December 7, 2023 Individual interviews conducted around the entire Trail and at different times of day to capture the broadest range of users
Trail Pop-Up at Pfuger Bridge
November 14, 2023 Morning pop-up to engage with commuters
Community Presentation
November 6, 14 and November 15, 2023 Presented to the Violet Crown Cycling Club, Holly Neighborhood Group and to the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Association
Community Pop-Ups
November 16 and November 29, 2023 A morning pop-up at Joe's Coffee Shop and an evening pop-up at Mendez Recreation Center
Engagement #2 Headcounts
In total, The Trail Conservancy interacted with 609 people - 348 in-person interactions and 261 through the online survey
Proposed Signage Family Designs
Survey Feedback
Key Takeaway from Engagment #2
Context within the Trail and the City at large should be emphasized
Trail users want signage to support navigation in and around the Trail, with things such as street names and access points to the Trail emphasized.
Distance between amenities is important
Trail users want to feature distances on signage, such as distances to restrooms and water fountains.
QR codes should be utilized
Trail users want supplementary information online, such as language displays, interpretative descriptions, and additional map content.
Safety information and trail etiquette should be clear.
Trail users want this information highlighted and present on signage.
Text font size should be larger
Trail users want the font size increased for more legibility and overall visibility.
Overall, the initial proposed signage system design is an improvement to the current system
Community Engagement #3
Online Community Survey
May 2 - June 6, 2024
Community Pop-Ups
Starting May 4, 2024 Various events
Final Plan Delivery
Anticipated Summer 2025
TTC Partner Plans
TTC completed the Butler Trail Safety & Mobility Study in March 2021. This study looked at population growth and Trail use in Austin and provided recommendations to accommodate increased use of the Trail. Included in the report are recommendations to improve signage and wayfinding along the Trail. These recommendations should be reviewed and incorporated into this project. Several areas along the Trail have been identified in a first phase implementation plan (Exhibit B) and should be included in the scope of work.
TTC completed the Arts and Culture Plan for the Butler Trail in May of 2023. This plan recommends processes and guidelines for arts and culture exhibits, installations and programming along the Trail. There will be aspects of this plan that will overlap with the Comprehensive Signage Plan as it relates to interpretive and artistic signage. This plan will need to be approached with collaboration in mind.
Questions:
Contact Charlotte Tonsor at The Trail Conservancy: charlotte@thetrailconservancy.org or 1-855-448-7245
