Item 4E Applicant - 2013 Leadership Southlake Class Presentation 04.16.13Bob Jones Nature Center
Educational Signage
Standards Proposal
Leadership
Southlake 2013
April 16th, 2013
“The citizen’s of Southlake have a treasure here…
These economical and innocent pleasures make learning in Nature’s University like no other. Learn
about these ever changing scenes by walking the trails in the incredible ecosystem that is free for the
interested.”
- Dr Ray L Chancellor
Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve
BJNC Educational Signage Standard
Supporting the Strategic Plan
• Leadership Southlake Class of 2013 wants to
establish an Educational Signage Standard consistent
with the BJNC Mission as well as the City of
Southlake’s Master Plan.
The Bob Jones Nature Center Strategic Plan supports the continued development
of Southlake’s unique natural resource to position the community as a regional
environmental leader which cultivates the preservation of native landscapes and
offers an area attraction for outdoor exploration and diverse learning experiences.
• Increase awareness of BJNC and its purpose;
• Establish ongoing, tangible education about
the historical and uniqueness of the area;
• Provide a more interactive, educational and
pleasurable experience for visitors;
• Increase visits; and
• Increase community support and partnership.
Goals for BJNC Educational Signage
BJNC Education Signage
Goals & Objectives
Goal Objective
Goal 1: Quality Development: Promote quality development
that is consistent with the Urban Design Plan, well-maintained,
attractive, pedestrian-friendly, safe, contributes to an overall
sense of place and meet the needs of a vibrant and diverse
community.
Objective 1.12: Continue to strengthen the City’s regulations
to encourage effective signage that is appropriately designed
and scaled to minimize adverse impacts on community
aesthetics.
Goal 6: Economic Development: Create a diversified,
vibrant and sustainable economy through the attraction and
support of business enterprises and tourism meeting the vision
and standards desired by City leaders.
Objective 6.1: Promote the City both nationally and
regionally as a great place to live, work, visit, shop and
recreate.
Objective 6.5: Enhance the quality of life for residents and
the sustainability of City business through the promotion of
tourism, convention and hotel industry in the City.
Goal 9: Partnerships: Fully utilize and coordinate with the
City’s many partners to address issues facing the area, provide
services and facilities, promote volunteerism, support events
and programs and encourage economic growth.
Objective 9.3: Continue active partnerships with non-profit
organizations, civic groups and local businesses to create
opportunities that benefit the community.
Specific goals and objectives from the Southlake 2030 Plan that are applicable to the
BJNC Educational Signage Plan:
Project Work Plan
• Overarching theme will be “Cross Timbers Eco-system”
Theme (Complete)
• Choose and contract with design/fabrication firm
(City of Southlake working with RSM Design with
Leadership Southlake serving as liaison with BJNC:
Current)
Design
• Presentation to BJNC Board (Complete)
• Presentation to Southlake Chamber Board (Complete)
• Presentation to Park Board (Complete)
• Presentation to SPDC (Completion Date: April 2013)
• Presentation to City Council (Completion Date: April
2013)
Approvals
• Community Partner Solicitations (Completion Date: April
Fundraising 2013)
• Footage shot at BJNC with Dr. Ray Chancellor (Complete)
• Testimonials Gathered (Completion Date: April 2013)
• Final Video (Completion Date: May 2013)
Video Production
• Number of Signs for Bluebird Trail determined
(Completion Date: April 2013)
• Fabrication of Bluebird Trail Signs (Completion Date:
May 2013)
• Installation of Bluebird Trail Signs (Completion Date: May
2013)
Sign Installation
Maintenance Fund • Established (Completion Date: May 2013)
Funding Opportunities
The current goal of $50,000 is for the establishment of a
BJNC Educational Signage Standard, the design and
installation of educational signs on Bluebird Trail and the
establishment of a fund for maintenance and as seed money
for future educational signage.
Community Partner Solicitations:
• Like-minded community partners
• Both corporate and individual donors
Matching Funds:
• The Southlake Parks Development Fund also offers an
opportunity for possible matching funds.
Concept Evolution
Educational Signage Content
Initial Signage
Signage Categories
Overarching message Cross Timbers
Eco-system
History
Why a
Bluebird
Trail?
Wrap-up of
Trail
Soil
Geology of
the Preserve
“A Walk on
Time”
Animal Life
“Reading the
Daily
Newspaper”-
Animal
Tracks
The Giving
Nursery Tree
Resident
Birds
Foliage
Common
Trees of the
Preserve
Why Prairie
Restoration?
Non-
native/Invasiv
e Species
Ecotones
Aquatic
Habitat – Life
Giving
Environment
Underlying Design Concepts
• Foundational standards include:
– Provide an educational and pleasurable experience for
visitors;
– Must not impinge upon the natural beauty of their
surroundings;
– Ecologically friendly;
– Low maintenance; and
– Each trail will have an identifying logo.
Trailhead Signs
(Overarching Message)
• Sign Size and Shape
– Size must be 3 ft. by 2 ft.
– Shape must be oak leaf
• Color and Contrast
– Color must be Green
• Arrows & Graphics
– and arrows on left side of sign
– arrows on right side of sign
• Text
– Font should be Goudy Old Style to be consistent with
City of Southlake’s Interior Signage font.
• Content
– Bluebird logo at top left of Bluebird Trailhead sign, and
Whitetail Deer logo at top left of Whitetail Deer Loop
trailhead sign.
– Overarching Message relevant to trail. Educational
context including history, animal life, foliage, ecotone
relevant to trail. (e.g. Importance of Cross Timber Post
Oak-Savannah Ecosystem sign)
– No commercial message
– Optional QR Code linked to relevant content lower
right-hand corner.
• Mounting
– Seven feet from start of trail
– Mounting height:- Average adult eye level
– Secured in cement foundation
Bluebird Trail
Cross Timber Post
Oak-Savannah
Ecosystem
Add history about
the Cross
Timbers
• Sign Size and Shape
– Size must be 2 ft. by 3 ft. (Large) or 1.5 ft. by 2.5 ft.
(Medium) or 1.25 ft. by 1.5 ft. (Small)
– Shape must be rectangular
• Color and Contrast
– Color must be brown
• Arrows & Graphics
– and arrows on left side of sign
– arrows on right side of sign
• Text
– Font should be Goudy Old Style to be consistent with
City of Southlake’s Interior Signage font.
• Content
– Bluebird logo at top left of Bluebird trail signs, and
Whitetail deer logo at top left of Whitetail Deer Loop
trail signs.
– Educational context including history, animal life, foliage,
ecotone relevant to trail (e.g. Why a Bluebird Trail?, “The
Giving Nursery Tree”)
– No commercial message
– Optional QR Code linked to relevant content lower right
corner
• Mounting
– Mounting height:-3-4 ft.
– 1 ft. from edge of trail.
– Secured in cement foundation
“Reading the Daily Newspaper” how many animals can you
report that visited the trail ?
Interactive/Category Signs
• Sign Size and Shape
– Size must be 1.5 ft. by 2.25 ft. (Medium) or 1.25 ft. by 1.5
ft. (Small)
– Shape must be rectangle resembling an open book or
simple rectangle
• Color and Contrast
– Color must be brown with red lettering
• Arrows & Graphics
– and arrows on left side of sign
– arrows on right side of sign
• Text
– Font should be Goudy Old Style to be consistent with
City of Southlake’s Interior Signage font.
• Content
– Bluebird logo at top left of trail signs, and Whitetail Deer
logo at top of Whitetail Deer Loop trail signs.
– Educational context including history, animal life, foliage,
ecotone relevant to trail (e.g. Common Trees of
Preserve, “A Walk in Time,” “Reading the Newspaper,”
“Why Prairie Restoration,” “Aquatic Habitat,” Resident
Birds, Wintering Birds signs).
– No commercial message
– Optional QR Code linked to relevant content lower right
corner
• Mounting
– One foot from edge of trail
– Mounting height: - Low and angled
– Secured in cement foundation
“A Walk on Time”
As you walk these sandy trails, you are
walking on time. These sands were once
part of the great inland sea that covered
parts of Texas. These sands would form the
foundation of what is now called the Cross
Timbers.
Add geology Map
Point-of-Interest Signs
Suggested Sign Locations
Importance of Cross
Timber Post Oak-
Savannah Ecosystem
Common Trees of the
Preserve
Geology of the
Preserve – “A Walk in
Time”
“Reading the Daily Newspaper” –
Animal Tracks
“The Giving Nursery Tree”
Why Prairie Restoration?
“Why a Bluebird Trail?”
Aquatic Habitat – Life Giving
Resident Birds Environment
Wrap-up Trail or
Non-native species
Current Cash Supporters…
The Barrows Firm, P.C.
…for a total of $13,800 raised so far!
“A majestic piece of preserved heritage. The Bob
Jones Nature Center combines our ancient as well as
our more recent history. The Cross Timbers region
is unique and ours to protect and preserve.”
- Dr. Ray L Chancellor
The sand at BJNC is estimated to be
90 million years old.