20 Sep 2019
Interpretation Series: behavioural and maintenance signs
Interp series: behavioural and maintenance signs
Garden maintenance and protection (as well as visitor behaviour) are hot topics, and signage to help communicate messages can be presented in a wide variety of formats.
Here is a range of signs from several different gardens informing visitors about what not to do, what to do and about construction or maintenance taking place.
Love them or hate them, it’s great to get ideas from other gardens and apply best practice to our own!
If you get asked a question enough times, sometimes a sign can help to answer it!
Using humour and a cartoon style can help get a message across in a non-confrontational way
A simple and easy to read sign for a closed lawn area – easy to install and remove.
Art installations take time so signage is very useful for letting the public know about it. However laminated signs don’t look good for long.
Images on construction signs help visitors picture the wonderful upgrades to come.
Vinyl wraps around construction projects can inspire and inform visitors about what’s coming as well as acknowledge valuable partners.
A simple and clear message for a small and vulnerable plant
Signs where the content can be changed out easily are great – however the contrast on this one might be tricky for people with vision impairments
Durable, clear and easily movable. While the plants don’t look newly planted the message is still clear
Always nice to let visitors know what’s happening – and why it’s roped off!
Feeding of animals is often an issue and a good idea to let visitors know about expected behaviour
This one looks like it’s easy to change out – and the materials look fresh and new, not old and neglected
Using icons helps to cross any language barriers
Displays can be very tempting for visitors to climb on – especially to get a good photo!
Do you have any great signs you can share with us? Email them to julia.watson@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz and we’ll upload them to the BGEN blog.
Next up in this Interpretation Series is signage for trial and research areas of the garden.
