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City of Melrose Releases Wayfinding and Creative Placemaking Plan

Posted on: December 12, 2023 - 6:00pm
City of Melrose Releases Wayfinding and Creative Placemaking Plan

Mayor Paul Brodeur is pleased to release the Melrose Wayfinding & Creative Placemaking Master Plan and highlight the Plan’s multifaceted accomplishments including the City’s new wayfinding signs, which will be installed this week. The Wayfinding & Creative Placemaking Master Plan is the culmination of an initiative launched by the Melrose Office of Planning and Community Development in 2020 and was made possible via grants and state funding. Through the initiative, the Office engaged with Melrose residents to create art for the public to enjoy and signage to direct the public to popular destinations around the city.

“Thank you to the hundreds of residents that participated in our Wayfinding & Creative Placemaking meetings and surveys and provided our staff with invaluable input that supported their effort,” said Mayor Brodeur. “I also want to thank the volunteer members of the Melrose Wayfinding & Placemaking Committee, City staff, and our consultants at Selbert Perkins Design, who put in the hard work necessary to create and implement this Plan. As a result of this work, we have enhanced our City and fostered a more welcoming environment for visitors and residents alike.”

The wayfinding signs will be installed in strategic locations to provide information to residents and visitors about points of interest. The signs encourage walking and biking by including travel times using these modes of transportation. The design for the signage speaks to the City’s rich architectural heritage and was selected, along with the sign types and locations, with input from the public.

A link to the Wayfinding and Creative Placemaking Plan can be found here, www.cityofmelrose.org/wayfindingplan and a summary of the accomplishments includes the following:

  • A wayfinding webpage called Explore Melrose – accessed through QR codes on the kiosk signs and the City’s website (https://www.cityofmelrose.org/maps) – that provides past and present information about the City, and options for how to get around, what to visit, and where to shop.
  • Funding to support 8 public art installations selected through a competitive “call for art” process.
  • A well-attended community event that celebrated the public art installations.
  • Creation of the Melrose Makes brand and logo for the City’s public art initiative.
  • Establishment of branding elements of colors, typography, and logos for the City.
  • Design and installation of 4 parklets with a MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Grant in collaboration with the Melrose Pedestrian and Bicyclist Committee, Follow Your Art Community Studios, the Melrose DPW and volunteer community members.
  • Transformation of the Central Terrace Alley from vehicular passage to a pleasant spot where people can hang out.
  • Development of a Wayfinding Sign Program and installation of new wayfinding signs including:
    • 1 Gateway ID, 2 Traffic Directional, 2 Kiosks, 4 Vehicular Directional, 4 Pedestrian Directional, and 8 Parking Signs.
  • Collaboration with the Melrose Historical Commission to provide historical information to include on the kiosk signs located at Ell Pond and Milano Park.
  • Installation of 12 new trash barrels in parks and playgrounds that allow for art with a sustainability theme to be installed in the future.

Based on this success, the City will continue to explore new opportunities for public art, placemaking elements, and wayfinding signs to further enrich the city and the enjoyment of our public spaces.

To learn more, visit www.cityofmelrose.org/wayfindingplan.