More open houses ahead on wayfinding signs
A project to create a system of wayfinding signs for Kalispell continues to move along.
More open houses are this week. People are asked to come give their opinions on signs meant to help guide visitors around the city to its public attractions.
Open houses run from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.
“At the first open houses [April 3 and 4] we brought a palette of wayfinding sign options for the community to give us feedback,” said Katharine Thompson, Kalispell’s community and economic development manager.
“We’ve taken that input and refined the signs. Our hope is to have some sample signs up on First Avenue East across from Depot Park so folks can see them in real conditions.”
People also will be asked to give input on new gateway signs that would go up on major routes into the city, as well as wayfinding sign placement and messages and the attractions that should appear on signs.
“We’re just completing the design portion” of the project, Thompson said. “So the next step will be to finalize the number of signs needed and their placement.”
The wayfinding project includes the city of Kalispell, the Kalispell Business Improvement District, Kalispell Downtown Association and Kalispell Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The project has been funded by a $75,000 grant from the National Park Service. It aims to design and install signs that better welcome visitors to Kalispell and direct them to area attractions.
A study by Cygnet Strategies, a tourism consulting firm in Helena, found the city’s signs lacking. The firm was retained to help design a wayfinding system.
“When we bring in a regional sporting event, there are no signs anywhere in Kalispell to tell you how to get to Flathead High School or Glacier High School or Kidsports,” Thompson said.
“The intent is to make it easier for visitors to find their way here, recognize they are welcome here and encourage them to stay longer.”
The Kalispell Business Improvement District has kicked in matching money for the project, and new wayfinding signs could be designed, made and installed downtown by August.
Gateway signs and wayfinding signs for the rest of Kalispell will be installed later on as funding is secured.
“Those will follow a little different timeline,” Thompson said.
“Once a design is arrived at, then we’ll start to pursue the timing and funding ... We’re a community of 20,000 people and we want to hear from folks on what fits us well and represents us well.”
Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.