This document provides a project profile for the Westland Trail Interpretive Exhibit at Derby Reach Regional Park. The exhibit includes six displays along a three kilometer trail interpreting the theme of "Connecting People with Place." The displays were designed to enhance visitor experiences and connect trail users to their surroundings using a combination of sculptural planes, figurative silhouettes, and imagery. The public reception to this non-traditional interpretive approach using sculptural presentations that evoke a sense of time and place has been extremely positive.

1. PROJECT PROFILE
vC
Page 1
Chris Au
604 961 3472
Chris.Au@DidaxDesign.com
Derby Reach Regional Park
Westland Trail Interpretive Exhibit
CLIENT Metro Vancouver Regional Parks is a system of more than 20 greenspaces (parks, greenways, ecological
reserves, etc.) throughout Metro Vancouver (GVRD).
PROJECT Derby Reach Regional Park — in Langley, BC — opened a new section of parkland to the public with a three
kilometre trail that also forms a portion of the Experience the Fraser and the Trans Canada Trail systems.
A series of six sites along the trail interpret the core theme of “Connecting People with Place” — an
invocation to appreciate the human and natural history of the park. This design/build project was lead
by Panther Constructors Ltd., with Didax Design Group Inc, and Artcraft Display Graphics Inc. As Didax
Design’s creative director, Chris provided the interpretive and production design.
OBJECTIVE This project represented an opportunity to develop contextually responsive and visitor engaging themed
displays to enhance visitor experiences. The displays were
designed to delight, surprise and reveal. But most of all, to
help connect trail users to their surroundings.
AUDIENCE The trail is accessible to all ages, abilities, and means of
locomotion; such as walkers, runners, cyclists, bladers,
boarders, wheelchair users, etc. Though open to all, most
users are regional residents.
CHALLENGES The client group wanted to deliver an interpretive experience
outside the standard text/image panel approach. Although
the program was ambitious, the budget was modest.
The displays in the exhibit
share a common visual
element of oxidized steel.
Other elements included
translucent and opaque
graphics, natural logs, and
rocks.
Since the initial work,
an additional display
was developed (left) to
provide more interpretive
engagement.
Connecting
people with
place

2. PROJECT PROFILE
vC
Page 2
Chris Au
604 961 3472
Chris.Au@DidaxDesign.com
Derby Reach Regional Park Westland Trail Interpretive Exhibit
APPROACH The exhibit comprises six robust displays, each of which interprets a theme provided by the client. Five of
these displays express themes through sculptural planes that allude to the cultural and/or natural stories
of the area. The sixth display is a plaque commemorating the opening of the trail.
All six displays share a common palette of colours and materials to provide a measure of continuity.
Three of the displays combine figurative silhouettes cut in steel plates or imaged in translucent panels.
This juxtaposition of strength (steel) and delicacy (translucency) is reflective of the careful balance we
find in nature and human endeavours. These displays can be appreciated for both their layered sculptural
form from afar and for their detailed imagery up close.
Two displays are forthright figurative presentations of the agriculture heritage of the area. One is
historical, while the other is timeless. Both flank working farms adjacent to the park.
The commemorative display is distinct from the others in that it serves a more conventional purpose,
but nevertheless echoes the form and spirit of the other displays. The graphic panel is a thermo-imaged
brushed aluminum plate in full-colour for rendition of partner logos.
OUTCOMES The public reception has been extremely positive to this “different” approach to interpretive park
displays. These sculptural presentations help trail users connect with their surroundings as they evoke
their own sense of time and place.
Steps in the development
process include thumbnail
sketches, design drawings,
fabricator and project site
inspections.