Trail Wayfinding and Signage Services

The vendor required to provide trail signage and wayfinding strategy for the city is being initiated in response to the city project, which serves as a key catalyst for this undertaking.
•    The successful proponent will be responsible for preparing a detailed work plan for the completion of the strategy that describes the approach and methodology to be used to highlighting any proposed additions or revisions.
•    The proponent will be responsible for preparing a detailed engagement plan that describes their approach to facilitate a creative an effective public engagement process through the duration of the project; identify any tools that may help to generate meaningful and interactive communication with the public and interested parties.
- Work plan:
•    Develop a work plan that outlines a creative and manageable approach to the assigned tasks, goals and objectives along with an efficient schedule and a strategic allocation of resources and staffing responsibilities. 
•    The work plan shall ensure completion of all tasks.
- Engagement plan:
•    Engagement activities and deliverables are meant to convey the engagement breadth and depth that the consultant is expected to deliver and the city expects to achieve. 
•    Proponents are invited to propose their own approach, but if it deviates from the activities requested, they must clearly state why, given their professional experience, that the alternative proposed will better serve the project’s needs and more successfully meet the city’s engagement objectives. 
•    The engagement plan shall be considered a dynamic and living document subject to continuous refinement and improvement throughout the project lifecycle; and project scope could be subject to change based on outcomes and lessons learned.
- Engagement planning:
•    Develop and deliver a robust, multifaceted and creative engagement plan in collaboration with city staff that invites the city community, stakeholders and interested parties to participate in the development of the strategy. 
•    Provide a detailed overview of the proponent’s engagement principles and approach and methodology clarifying timelines, roles and responsibilities, including phasing, delivery format (e.g., virtual and in-person), materials required and who is responsible for preparing (e.g., presentation decks, information panels, handouts, interactive elements) and a rationale for the methods and format selected. 
•    The engagement plan should be flexible and pivot according to relevant evolving needs.
•    Provide a timeline and schedule for all engagement activities to be included in the overall project work plan; allocating time for preparation of materials and review. 
•    The consultant is responsible for activity tracking and ongoing management of the project schedule. 
•    Identify a comprehensive list of interested parties and stakeholders, building on what the city provides. 
•    Consider coordinating initial conversations with key interested parties. 
•    Structure the engagement approach to engage the largest number of interested parties possible, while offering a variety of opportunities for participation.
•    Ensure that any in-person engagement opportunity is followed up with an asynchronous virtual opportunity that is available for at least two weeks.
•    Outline the tools or platforms that will be used to support engagement (if applicable). 
•    Work in close collaboration with the city’s communications, marketing and engagement staff to keep the public informed. 
•    Include key messages, which may be subject to refinement throughout the project and must be approved by the city.
- Comparative and gap analysis
•    Conduct a review of trends and best practices in trail signage and wayfinding. 
•    Identify relevant case studies and precedents to develop a benchmark study addressing key components and themes relevant to the strategy; precedent examples will summarize the issues, strategies employed and lessons learned from five (5) or more other comparable municipalities within country. 
•    Develop an analysis of current and projected gaps, needs and trends relevant to trail signage and wayfinding. 
•    This analysis will be informed by and based on, including but not limited to, data collected through public consultation and engagement, background review and an assessment against bylaws and guidelines. 
•    Analysis will include current and projected use of signage and wayfinding for the purpose of connecting city greater trail network and enhancing user experience. 
•    Identify opportunities and constraints and prepare swot analysis. 
•    Using various forms of research, including key stakeholder input, the consultant is expected to create a set of requirements that will inform the approach to the design of a unified wayfinding system unique to the city.
- GIS base map for trail signage
•    Create a GIS base map that incorporates all relevant data layers in accordance with the city’s technical requirements, to use as a foundational template for future trail signage.
•    The GIS base map should include, but is not limited to the following components:
o    Trail classification
o    Natural heritage features
o    Points of interest
o    Access points and connectivity nodes
o    Topography and elevation
o    Environmental constraints.

- Questions/Inquires Deadline: November 24, 2025