The Prairie Gateway Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recently honored the State of Kansas –  Kansas State Parks Signage  with a Merit Design Award in the communication category.

The Kansas State Parks Design Guidelines for Signage, developed by RDG, is a thoughtful long-term vision to develop a system of new entrance and wayfinding signs and customized visual identities for each of the state parks in Kansas. In total, twenty-eight separate identities are created to celebrate the unique landscape of each park.

A comprehensive understanding of Kansas’ natural resources is required to understand how the natural environment could and should impact material and color choice. Each identity features a custom illustration and typography which will be used on merchandise, signage, and print collateral. The signage design guidelines provide a framework for future park infrastructure to enhance the state park experience and identity; creating options for use in the design of individual projects.

The final product integrates the best of the past Kansas state park rustic architectural identity with the best of the current sustainable design practices, materials, and construction techniques to create an overall unified state park experience and image that is built to last.