Itasca State Park in Park Rapids, Minnesota receives nearly a half million visitors each year and embraces the natural and cultural resources of the region. The Minnesota DNR sought to develop interpretive waysides that focused on forestry along nine trails in the park. These accessible wayside exhibits incorporated multiple perspectives, Dakota and Ojibwe languages, and multi-sensory interactives that connect diverse visitor groups to outdoor locations in the park. This project was one of the first steps refreshing the park’s 20+ year-old interpretation and exploring new standards for the future.
Scope
106 Group was hired to collaborate with the DNR team in developing the interpretive wayside exhibits. Our team took the project from concept design through fabrication and delivery, along the way leveraging planners, designers, naturalists, Dakota language experts, park content experts, and fabricators. The exhibits incorporated local photography and stories while evoking the personality of each trail. Some waysides linked to educational curriculum, one was dedicated to animals in the forest, and several used Dakota Iapi and Ojibwemowin (languages) to enhance their message.
Outcome
In all, our team created 55 wayside exhibits in close collaboration with the DNR. The exhibits include three bronze tactile elements, multiple flip-door interactives, two solar-powered audio features, and a replica fire finder tool. The mix of sensory experiences allows people with different learning styles to understand the importance of the forest community around them.
