Indianapolis Cultural Trail pilots new wayfinding signs

The big picture: The trail is piloting the new signs along the Washington Street corridor downtown to inform a project that will roll out along the entire 10-mile system in the coming years.

Follow the money: Input from users, being taken now through Dec. 15, will be used in the final design of a trail-wide wayfinding program funded by a $2 million READI 2.0 Arts & Culture grant.

What they're saying: Originally, the wayfinding guide was the trail itself, with its distinctive brick, Kären Haley, executive director of Indianapolis Cultural Trail Inc., tells Axios.

• "Its repeating patterns are visual cues for everyone to know, 'I just keep following this… It's kind of like following the yellow brick road … It'll take me to cool places.'"
• Nearly 20 years on, Haley says the city has grown up alongside the trail, but nothing along it tells users what's around the next bend or how far they can take it.

Zoom in: The new signage includes maps of the Cultural Trail, guides to what's nearby and tips on using the amenity.

• The side facing walkers has more text-heavy signage compared to the side facing cyclists and faster-moving trail users.
• The signs are bright, eye-catching and placed at various heights — on the trail itself and on adjacent light poles.

What's next: In addition to an online survey, Haley says they're adding QR codes and conducting on-site interviews with trail users.

• Based on that feedback, they'll design the final signage and install it by the end of 2028.