Above: A survey asks for feedback on planned downtown signage and the symbol that will be featured as a “motif” symbol for Southborough. (image left from survey, right contributed)
Earlier this spring, the Town issued a survey to help guide them in creating a “Wayfinding Signage Plan” for downtown. Now they have issued a very quick follow up survey for the next stage of the project.
The new survey seeks feedback on draft design concepts that have come out of their work with a consultant. That includes a “motif” to be featured. The image is pitched as adding “another distinct layer of identity to downtown, with a separate purpose from the Town Seal.”
The community is encouraged to weigh in. And it’s good that the survey is brief, because the deadline is coming up quickly. Responses are due by this Friday, June 5th at 5:00 pm.
An announcement from the Town this afternoon asks for community input:
Share Your Feedback on Proposed Downtown Southborough Wayfinding Sign Designs
The Downtown Southborough Wayfinding Study is nearing completion and will result in a plan to guide the next phase of updating the Town-owned wayfinding system in downtown Southborough.
As part of this process, several wayfinding sign design concepts have been developed, and the Town is seeking public input on these proposed designs. Community feedback will help inform future decisions regarding the appearance and functionality of the downtown wayfinding system.
Wayfinding signs play an important role in helping residents and visitors navigate the community, locate destinations, and enhance the overall downtown experience. We encourage all residents, business owners, and visitors to review the proposed concepts and share their thoughts through the online survey.
Although the message refers to “several” concepts, the very quick survey only seeks feedback on a few images — a motif for the Wayfinding campaign, plus a pedestrian sign in two color variants.
The “simple motif” image (right) is a silhouette of a tree (representing “greenery”, an S shaped waterway (doing double duty to symbolize “nearby water assets” and Southborough), and a tower described as “a distinct architectural feature of the Town”.
For those unfamiliar with it, the stone tower in Southborough’s rural cemetery was built in 1903 as part of the cemetery’s irrigation system. (It’s no longer in use. But you can read about it and the Historical Commission chair’s proposal to put it to another cemetery use here.)
The image right demonstrates the type of sign that may be placed to help pedestrians navigate downtown Southborough. The survey asks for feedback on preference and whether they should revisit certain design elements.
There is also an open ended comment field.
The survey is due this Friday, June 5th at 5:00 pm. You can participate here.
