Wilmington Wayfinding Signage

How can wayfinding signage increase connections between existing amenities, supporting the pedestrian experience and small business activity?

This new network of wayfinding signs, installed along Avalon Boulevard in Wilmington, works to increase pedestrian and economic activity in the area and strengthen the connection between existing amenities along the corridor and the Wilmington waterfront.

This wayfinding signage project builds off of the On Avalon project, which was led by LA-Más in close collaboration with Council District 15. Beginning in the summer of 2015, the On Avalon project employed a wide range of strategies to enhance the safety, experience, and vitality of Avalon Blvd, featuring a robust community engagement process, physical design interventions, and a Small Business Support Program to attract new businesses and support existing businesses on the corridor.

For this Port of LA-sponsored project, LA-Más produced wayfinding signage, incorporating community feedback, that connects resources on Avalon Boulevard and the Wilmington Waterfront. The project features nine signs with wayfinding for pedestrians, installed on City-owned light poles along Avalon Blvd between Anaheim Street and Harry Bridges Blvd. Each sign provides information about which small business amenities are within a several block radius, in addition to pointing to the LA Port at the Wilmington Waterfront and other civic destinations. Each amenity is indicated with a simple and clear icon and accompanied by walking travel distance, creating a graphic cluster that gives a snapshot of resources nearby. The signs were installed by LADOT in August, 2017 before CicLAvia came to Wilmington for the first time!

With the support of Council District 15, the signs were installed as a temporary pilot project. We are collecting additional community feedback about the signage, and in December 2017 we will analyze the findings and then work with Council District 15 and LADOT to determine if the signs will remain permanently. Please check out the online survey here!