Riverside Regional Park, founded in 1903, spans 862 acres along the White River in Indianapolis, surpassing New York’s Central Park in size. The 2017 master plan introduced the Riverside Promenade, a 1.5-mile, multi-use trail with seating, lighting, and landscaping to enhance safety and beauty. Collaborating with Indy Parks and Recreation and the Riverside community, our team shaped the identity of the Promenade as a cultural heritage corridor, celebrating Riverside’s neighborhood heritage and stories of resilience.
We saw the importance of developing a strategy to identify the trail’s entry points across the Park, establishing a unified yet unique sense of place. Through discussions and workshops with the Riverside community and stakeholders, we explored a visual identity honoring the cultural groups who shaped the Riverside area since time immemorial.
Drawing from Riverside’s multicultural heritage—from its first Indigenous inhabitants along the White River to today’s diverse communities—seven core patterns were created for each of the Promenade’s seven paved nodes. These designs provide a distinct character at each point, inviting trail-goers to experience the entire trail.
We saw the importance of developing a strategy to identify the trail’s entry points across the Park, establishing a unified yet unique sense of place. Through discussions and workshops with the Riverside community and stakeholders, we explored a visual identity honoring the cultural groups who shaped the Riverside area since time immemorial.
Drawing from Riverside’s multicultural heritage—from its first Indigenous inhabitants along the White River to today’s diverse communities—seven core patterns were created for each of the Promenade’s seven paved nodes. These designs provide a distinct character at each point, inviting trail-goers to experience the entire trail.
Using an iterative approach, we developed sign concepts that preserved open views of the Park while integrating cultural symbols into the Promenade’s visual identity. Pedestrian-scale gateways and regulatory signs mark trail entrances and crossings, while interpretive signs at paved nodes offer a relaxed experience for visitors and tour groups.
The gateway signs are designed to frame Park views and feature laser-cut aluminum symbols that cast engaging shadows. This sign system enhances trail-user safety while doubling as public art.
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