In
the summer of 2009 the Mount Nittany Conservancy
(MNC) began installing a wayfinding system
of trail signs at critical intersections
and points on the paths. In total, we
have placed 19 signs on the Blue
and White trails to help guide our visitors
on the Mountain.
Several
directors were instrumental in advancing
the project, and, with the help of a grant
from the Centre
County Community Foundation, the
signs were purchased this summer. Bob
Andronici, chair of the Mountain Committee,
led the charge, and Gary Gentzler researched
and recommended the type of signs to use.
The project was completed with tremendous
help from MNC directors Vince Verbeke,
Tim White, Bob Frick, and Blake Gall,
who also donated use of his four-wheeler
to haul cement and other materials up
the mountain. MNC was granted access through
the property of neighbor Wilhelm
Kogelmann. Andronici said the project
would have taken two years to complete
without the ability to get heavy materials
to the top and Mr. Kogelmann's granted
access.
Likewise,
the project would not have happened without
the help of many Penn State groups who
volunteered. Circle K, Phi Gamma
Delta and Phi Mu Delta fraternities,
and the Blue and White Society
spent significant time digging holes through
mountain rock and erecting the signs in
deep cement footers. In addition, these
groups helped clear the trails of a significant
number of trees that came down during
the freak 2009 Homecoming snow storm in
mid October.
Many
thanks go to those organizations for hours
upon hours of hard labor. To see
images frm the project, click here: Wayfinder
Images
Concurrent
with this project, MNC has developed a
new map. The map includes distances between
major points on the trails and numbered
markers where the new trail signs are
and will be erected, including GPS coordinates
for those locations. MNC would like to
thank Michael Hermann of Purple Lizard
Maps for completing the map project.
Station
Signs:
Sample
Station Sign. Print
Version (open in new window)s
Station
Sign Map. Print
Version (open in new window)
