Alexandria has a population of almost 150,000 and is located six miles south of Washington D.C. on the bank of the Potomac River. With 947 acres of open space and parklands, this project represents a fascinating challenge for Applied. The City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) has created a Citywide Park’s Improvement Plan, which aims to increase accessibility and encourage the design of public spaces to meet the many needs of the community.

Applied’s work will involve research and analysis, planning, design and engineering services. Focussing on the City’s six largest parks, including Four Mile Run Park, Simpson Stadium Park and Chinquapin Park, the wayfinding system will serve to improve the consistency and placement of information to enhance the role these important spaces play within the local communities.

Applied’s primary role is to make the parks easier to navigate and reduce visual clutter. User-focused research will allow Applied to define optimum routes, signage locations and message schedules for each of the six parks. The new signage will reflect the city’s identity.

Applied’s primary role is to provide park visitors with improved information and a reduction in visual clutter. User-focused research will allow Applied to define optimum routes, signage locations and message schedules for each of the six parks. Through the formulation of specific design guidelines and graphic standards, the new signage will be able to consistently fit into the city’s identity, whilst making the parks themselves easier to navigate and appear tidier.

Header image © R Kennedy for Visit Alexandria.