Recommendations

We have four primary recommendations: to increase and reword trail signage at Bar Island, adding an additional restoration area, and assessing future trail possibilities. Each of these are supported by the findings and data in the report.

Increasing and Rewording Trail Signage

The first of these recommendations is to increase and reword trail signage at Bar Island. We recommend that the signage at Bar Island is changed in four ways: a simpler tide chart, improved trail map, removal of outdated sign, and new signage at trail forks.

Simpler Tide Chart

After crossing the sand bar, there exists a sign letting visitors know the times of the tides. This tide chart is a piece of paper on a bulletin board, and is posted every two months. This sign often confused visitors, causing them to miscalculate the time they had on the island. To remedy this, we created three mockups and asked visitors their thoughts on which was the most clear. We had a clear winner.

Original Signage

Updated Signage

Improved Trail Map

The trail map at Bar Island is unclear for visitors. The distance to the summit is unclear, and many arrive believing that it is a full mile to the summit, when it is a mile for a round trip. Additionally, many visitors are unaware of the house ruins on the island.

Removal of Outdated Sign

At one point, Bar Island was partially owned by reporter Jack Perkins. Because of this, the trail to the remains of the old house still has a wooden post saying "private drive." This confuses visitors, who believe they cannot take that path.

New Signage At Trail Forks

Currently, Bar Island has three trail forks. At each yellow triangle we plan to add a sign clarifying the trail. The region between these signs, labeled "Bluffs," is a well worn social trail (everything in orange is a social trail). This trail is so well worn visitors often think it is an official park trail.

To mitigate this, we plan to add signage at each end of this trail noting that this trail is not officially maintained by the park.

Adding Additional Restoration Area

Our next recommendation is to add an additional restoration area at Bar Island. At the summit, many visitors take a left into a trail offshoot. This trail offshoot leads back into an already existing restoration area, or nowhere.

A portion of the visitors who took GPS trackers went into this area, and turned around.

Current restoration area near summit of Bar Island trail

Assessing Future Trail Possibilities

While we know about the percentage of people who go on each of the trails, and that there is significant trampling, we suggest further study into assessing future trail possibilities

Pictured right is a section of the loop trail (also known as the Glacial Rock trail), which is well worn from visitor traffic. Other sections have many downed trees and other obstacles due to not being officially maintained by the park.

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