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The concept of the wayfinding and identity program was initiated in the spring of 2012 as an outgrowth of the PerkUp initiative and a management committee was formed to develop the program beginning in November of 2012. The management committee consists of a wayfinding project consultant and representatives from the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Montgomery County Parks and Heritage Services. The Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission, in addition to Hereford Township and the Upper Perkiomen School District, act as the steering committee for the project.

The management committee completed a strategic plan document to guide the development of the wayfinding program. The strategic plan includes:

• Development of a draft mission statement
• Development of a preliminary set of program elements
• Development of a preliminary destination hierarchy
• The procedures and/or guidelines for:
  • Overseeing the design and approval process
  • Interviewing and selecting a design firm
  • Developing budgets for implementation
  • Seeking additional financing
  • Working with a fabrication team on prototype installation
  • Developing system guidelines
  • Working with schools and other institutions to integrate program into broader initiatives

The Concept
The Upper Perkiomen Valley is developing a wayfinding and identity system to both define the identity of the overall Valley as well as the towns and sites within it. The program will develop a set of guidelines for design, planning, fabrication, and implementation that can be utilized by each of the Upper Perkiomen Valley communities, as well as by regional entities.

Program Goals

• Strengthen the small-town environment by utilizing borough and regional identification to support quality-of-life amenities for all members of the community.
• Confirm the value of our open space, natural resources, and agricultural heritage.
• Instill a sense of community pride and stewardship that leads to a wider commitment to civic involvement.
• Market the region’s assets to residents, visitors, and potential employers.
• Protect and enhance community and cultural events, open spaces, parks, natural areas, and recreational and fitness opportunities unique to the Upper Perkiomen Valley.
• Promote downtown retail areas, villages, and parking.
• Coordinate signage through a cohesive multi-municipal system with public involvement for the shared success of the region.
• Ensure consistency.
• Coordinate with regional entities, including Montgomery County and Schuylkill Highlands.
• Improve understanding of the Upper Perkiomen Valley and its destinations.
• Support parks and recreation sites.
• Reduce haphazard signage clutter and signage redundancy.
• Develop a clear and concise system that communicates and supports the regional character.
• Support nature based tourism including trails, horseback riding, boating, fishing, and birding.
• Establish wayfinding links to regional bike & pedestrian trails and the Schuylkill River Valley Heritage Area/Schuylkill Highlands.
• Reflect rural characteristics of the area.
• Establish wayfinding links to regional bike & pedestrian trails and the Schuylkill River Valley Heritage Area/Schuylkill Highlands.
• Reflect rural characteristics of the area.

Important Documents:
Upper Perkiomen Valley Wayfinding and Identity Program Mission Statement

Public Participation
A stakeholder workshop was held on Wednesday May 29, 2013 at the Knoll Museum to gather what residents, business owners, municipal officials, and visitors value and envision for the Region. About 45 participants discussed the target audience for the wayfinding signage, desired outcomes of the project, and visual characteristics and words (colors, textures, industries, landmarks, etc.) that describe the personality of the Upper Perkiomen Valley region. The information gathered will help guide the designers to create conceptual sign systems that represent the Upper Perkiomen Valley region, it’s municipalities, and landmarks.

Design Selection
At the August 28, 2013 meeting of the Upper Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission, design consultants Chris Calori and David Vanden-Eynden described the established program goals and the insights gained from the public stakeholder workshop in May. Their approach to designing the wayfinding program was to “combine materials, forms, and imagery common to the region with contemporary arrangements and compositions.” After a productive discussion of the positive both conceptual design schemes presented, the group voted to select the second concept which uses a double post constructed of I-beam material and incorporates a circular emblem with the initials “UPV” at the top of each sign. The design consultants are further revising the design based on feedback received at this meeting.

Important Documents:
Upper Perkiomen Valley Wayfinding and Identity Program – Concept Design – August 28, 2013

This project is funded in part by a grant from Community Conservation Partnerships Program, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and the William Penn Foundation in support of the Schuylkill Highlands Mini-Grant Program administered jointly by Natural Lands Trust and Schuylkill River Heritage Association.