Interpreting the Hudson River & Central Adirondack Trail Scenic

Restoring and Reinterpreting Scenic Byway Signage

Green Goat Maps partnered with the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) for the New York State Department of Transportation to improve interpretive signage along the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway. Spanning 153 miles through the heart of the Adirondack Park, this byway extends along U.S. Highway 9, State Route 28, and State Route 8, connecting Glens Falls and Rome, New York. The project focuses on reinterpreting and replacing signage along State Route 28 between Indian Lake and North Creek, with an emphasis on the Hudson River watershed and the region's unique cultural and natural resources.

To meet ANCA's needs, Green Goat Maps was contracted to:

• Conduct individual interviews with local stakeholders, community leaders, and visitors. Organized public forums to gather diverse feedback and establish interpretive signage goals that resonate with a varied audience, including residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and travelers.

• Review existing Scenic Byway materials, roadside signage, and other relevant resources to build a foundation for informed design and messaging decisions.

• Collaborate with the public and stakeholders to identify central and sub-themes emphasizing the watershed. Messaging and content outlines for each panel were drafted based on this input.

• Present content outlines to ANCA and the public for review, ensuring alignment with community and stakeholder interests before finalizing themes and messages.

• Create visually compelling designs tailored to support storytelling and audience engagement, resulting in draft signage for stakeholder approval.

• Work with ANCA and local stakeholders to evaluate optimal sign locations for maximum visibility and accessibility, while considering whether to replace or relocate existing signage.
  

The project addressed outdated and deteriorating signage by developing reimagined designs featuring modern graphics and storytelling elements. By engaging stakeholders through interviews and public forums, we incorporated diverse perspectives into cohesive themes and messaging, ensuring that the final signage resonated with a broad audience while addressing the unique cultural and environmental attributes of the Central Adirondack region. The final deliverables included:

• Four reinterpreted or newly designed interpretive signs focusing on the Hudson River watershed and Central Adirondack region.

• Community-informed messaging and graphics to enhance engagement with the interpretive content.

• Location planning and placement recommendations to optimize visibility and usability.

• Finalized signage ready for installation by summer 2019.
  

Challenges of This Project

Updating outdated signage while incorporating stakeholder input required balancing historical, cultural, and environmental themes into a cohesive narrative. Through structured public engagement and iterative design feedback, the team ensured the final signage was both informative and visually engaging. Additionally, selecting optimal sign locations for visibility and accessibility required close collaboration with ANCA and local stakeholders.

Value for Our Client

This project revitalized the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway with modernized, accessible signage that enhances visitor engagement and supports local tourism and education. By integrating community-informed messaging and reinterpreted content, travelers now experience a deeper connection to the Hudson River watershed and the region’s cultural heritage.

This project revitalized the Central Adirondack Trail Scenic Byway by creating signage that blends historical and cultural narratives with environmental themes. Travelers now benefit from modernized, accessible signage that deepens their connection to the Adirondack region while supporting local tourism and education. By fostering collaboration between ANCA, community stakeholders, and Adirondack Research, this initiative exemplifies the value of inclusive, informed design in public interpretive projects.

Green Goat Maps is working with the Adirondack North Country Association on the Central Adirondack Scenic Byways interpretive signage project.

The project successfully enhanced interpretive signage along the byway, ensuring that visitors and residents alike receive engaging and educational insights into the Hudson River watershed and the broader Central Adirondack region. The new signs contribute to a richer travel experience while reinforcing conservation awareness and cultural appreciation.

Project Details:

Client: Adirondack North Country Association Medium: High Pressure Laminate mounted on roadside display stands Size: 40″x28″ Attribution: Nicole Keating was the cartographer and graphic designer, Janelle Hoh, Gabriella Gurney, and Carrie Griffo performed research, and Ezra Schwartzberg was the production coordinator.

Looking for a Similar Solution?

If your organization requires interpretive signage or custom design solutions, Green Goat Maps offers expertise in creating impactful, community-driven projects. Contact us to discuss your needs!