WHITFISH – The new wayfinding signs plastered around Whitefish feature architectural and design elements meant to aid orientation while giving a nod to the town’s historic beginnings.
The primary color of the rectangular signs, “Great Northern Green,” is outlined in “Park Brown” and overlaid against a rounded backing of Western Larch gold, while the shape of the signs are derived from an old directional sign that pointed motorists toward Highway 40.
The signs show the way to destinations like City Beach, the train depot, the Whitefish Trail, Stumptown Ice Den, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and other prominent hallmarks ringing the city center.
“They are geared for people who come to town and might want to know how to find the high school for an athletic event or go to a show at the O’Shaughnessy,” Whitefish City Manager Chuck Stearns said. “Matching the historic design and Great Northern colors was very important. You get visitors into the theme of the signs early on and then they are looking for the same color motif around town.”
The wayfinding project also calls for a pair of gateway signs installed at either end of town and 47 directional signs that guide visitors toward public destinations.
In downtown Whitefish, the signs complement the brighter green of the street posts to which they are affixed, and city staff will install five directories with maps.
The Whitefish City Council approved the project after bidding it out for less than $150,000. The wayfinding project was funded with tax increment funds.
The city hopes to have the signs installed by July 4.