Date: 3/2/2018

To: Eastmont Parks and Recreation

255 N. Georgia Ave.
East Wenatchee, WA 98802

From: Chloe Krawczyk, Trail Signage Evaluation Company LLC

Subject: Wayfinding Signage Issues on Douglas County Loop Trail

Distribution List: Office of the Mayor; Maria Holman, East Wenatchee City Clerk; and James R.
Barker, Douglas County Transportation and Land Services

Report Purpose:

This report answers the city of East Wenatchee’s questions about the wayfinding signage
on the East Wenatchee Loop Trail. Our Company has established that the Douglas
county side of the Loop Trail does not have substantial wayfinding. Trail Signage
Evaluation Company LLC has identified many specific areas of the trail that are
particularly difficult to navigate. A recent survey done by our employees, as well as our
company’s assessment of wayfinding signage has established this conclusion. More
wayfinding signage on the Douglas County side of the Loop trail would be beneficial for
tourism and local use of the trail.

Topics Covered in This Report:

 Not Enough Wayfinding Signage

 Unnecessary Wayfinding Signage
 Current Wayfinding Placement
 Places that need Wayfinding Signage
 Unmarked Private Property
Background:

It has come to my attention that there are many issues with the wayfinding signage on
the Douglas County side of the Loop Trail. Throughout the 24 years this trail has been
operating, there have been many reports of problems navigating the trail. There are
stories told of people getting lost. Users of the trail have also found their way onto
private property without knowing. Some say the river is the only sign they need, but for
many common citizens the river is not enough information to decipher their location.

Report Development:

Most of the research of this report was done on foot in order to get a better idea of how
much/what types of wayfinding the Loop Trail had. This research began at the entrance
to the trail on 19th street. See figure 1. This is a picture of the only informational sign
within half a mile in both directions. There was not enough wayfinding whatsoever. See
Figure 2 for an example of the lack of signage. The more the trail was researched, the
more it was discovered how dire the need for wayfinding is. Take a look at figure 3. This
is an unnecessary sign. The city has paid to put in this sign when they could have used
the money to put in a trail marker or something of that nature. On the Chelan County
side of the trail there is plenty of wayfinding. They even have mile markers. The Douglas
County side of the Loop Trail is severely neglected.

Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3.

Survey Results:

Our company has taken a survey of 35 citizens of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. This
was to get a better idea of what locals thought of the East Wenatchee side of the Loop
Trail. The results are displayed below:

Questions: Yes No
Do you use the East Wenatchee side of the Loop Trail? 25 10
Do you ever get lost while on the East Wenatchee side of the Loop trail? 10 25
Would you appreciate additional wayfinding signage? 27 8
Do you use beach access? 15 20
Do you use the jumping rocks? 9 26
Do you use the natural pool areas? 10 25
Note: T. Black (personal communication, March 1, 2018)

Discussion:

During the research for this report, it was noticed that there is a lot of private property
up against the Loop Trail. Most of this is unmarked. This causes users of the trail to be at
risk when they are unknowingly step onto someone’s property. There are many side trails
that people enjoy exploring on the Loop Trail. All of these have no wayfinding. This is an
issue because a large portion of people have become lost in the past on these side trails.
Both of these areas are in need of wayfinding signage.

Summary:

Throughout this report many places are mentioned where the wayfinding is particularly
bad. Specifically, these places were the section of the Loop Trail around 19th street. The
only directional sign within about a mile is at the entrance to the trail. The whole Douglas
County side of the Loop Trail needs more wayfinding, but this area is one of the worse
places. There are unmarked side trails and private property up against the Loop Trail that
people become lost in. Of the few signs on the East Wenatchee side, the majority of
them are unnecessary. The budget for the unnecessary signs could have gone to putting
in ones to help people find their way.
Conclusion:

The Douglas County side of the Apple Capital Recreational Loop Trail needs wayfinding
signage. This Signage will prevent people from becoming lost and keep people coming
back to the trail in their free time.