Mary Carter Greenway Trail Multi-Jurisdictional Project

The Mary Carter Greenway Trail is a vital recreational and mobility corridor connecting multiple communities along the South Platte River. This multi-jurisdictional project required a cohesive, intuitive wayfinding strategy that could unify diverse environments, stakeholders and user needs while reinforcing the corridor’s identity.

Our team developed a comprehensive signage program that reflects the unique character of the trail and its relationship to the South Platte River corridor. The design establishes a strong sense of place, drawing inspiration from the natural landscape, surrounding communities and recreational assets that define the user experience.

A key priority was creating a system that would be both functional and sustainable for long-term use. Signage components were designed using durable, cost-effective materials aligned with South Suburban Parks and Recreation (SSPR) sign shop practices, ensuring ease of fabrication, maintenance and scalability.

To improve navigation and enhance user experience, the signage system incorporates a clear visual hierarchy using color coding and intuitive iconography. These elements differentiate destinations and amenities—including the Mary Carter Greenway Trail, South Platte Park, and Historic Downtown Littleton—enabling users to quickly identify routes, resources and points of interest.

The success of the program extended beyond the initial corridor. Within one year of installation, the signage standards developed for the Mary Carter Greenway Trail were adopted universally across all SSPR-managed properties, demonstrating the system’s effectiveness as a scalable and cohesive branding and wayfinding solution.