opening the north shore interpretive center in the historic lester river fish hatchery (306-10-08)

Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Opening the North Shore Interpretive Center in the Historic Lester River Fish Hatchery FINAL REPORT

January 25, 2008

Project Number 306-10-08

Contract Number A92538

Report author: Andrew Slade, Executive Director

Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program

Limno Lab report, of 7

Introduction The goal of this project was to “enhance the management of the historic Lester River Fish Hatchery building (the ‘Limno Lab’) to improve North Shore coastal resource interpretive opportunities.” The project objectives included: develop exhibit space with UMD partners and other North Shore natural resource agencies; develop front desk volunteer program, including recruitment and training; and plan appropriate outdoor signage The “Limno Lab,” owned by the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), is situated on a 3-acre lot at the mouth of the Lester River. The building was constructed in the late 1880s as a U.S. Fish Hatchery. In the 1950s the fish hatchery closed, and the property was transferred to UMD. In 1956 it became the “Lake Superior Research Center,” a field station for the University’s Limnological Research Center. It operated for about a decade as the site of active research on the chemistry and biology of Lake Superior. The building was unoccupied. UMD brought bring the building up to code for office space and leased space in it to Sugarloaf. The building is in a prime location for a visitor center; it is located where the city “ends” and the North Shore with its rock outcrops, views of Lake Superior, and forested shoreline “begins.” In addition to the excellent location, the architecture of the building is unique, making it an appealing spot where people want to stop. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sugarloaf intends to open and manage the downstairs of the facility as the “North Shore Interpretive Center.” The center will be modeled after the typical National Park visitor center, with a small exhibit area, a small theater showing a short interpretive film, an information desk staffed by volunteers and a small store. Work Completed Sugarloaf completed formative evaluations for the exhibits and the volunteer program, through surveys of “interpretive visitors” and interviews with volunteer program coordinators. The evaluations for the exhibit area were rather inconclusive, since overall most interpretive visitors are interested in a wide variety of subject areas and methods of delivery. For the volunteer program, Sugarloaf staff gained valuable insight on the needs and interests of local volunteers. Sugarloaf produced a series of posters for the temporary boathouse exhibit area. The exhibit outline was approved early on by the coastal program and we then purchased and installed fabric boards onto which the posters could be mounted. With support from the Northland Foundation, Sugarloaf recruited and trained 18 volunteer “North Shore Ambassadors” for service in the exhibit area, interacting with the


travelling public. Although visitors numbers were lower than anticipated, the right sort of “interpretive” visitors did come and appreciated the offerings of both exhibits and people. Finally, based on the experience of the summer with traffic flow, Sugarloaf developed a signage plan for future implementation by UMD. The plan incorporates a proposed new turn lane for traffic coming from Duluth, with a right turn lane and a new entrance and parking lot between the main hatchery building and the cottage. All of the deliverables proposed (and as amended) were completed:

• Summary of formative evaluation for exhibit • Photos of exhibit area and pilot exhibit • List of volunteers and copy of volunteer training curriculum • Copy of signage plan


Results

A. 9 interpretive posters developed, featuring basic information about Lake Superior and the North Shore as related to UMD research and programs. This exhibit display system was designed to be easily changed, so as new research findings are established, the posters can be updated at low cost. The exhibit will be open again in summer 2008 and beyond, until the final exhibit area in the main building is complete.

Welcome sign and some of the posters in the temporary boathouse exhibit. Note coastal program acknowledge- ment at base of sign.


B. 18 “North Shore Ambassadors” recruited, trained and put to work in the temporary boathouse exhibit area. All of the Ambassadors are willing to serve again next summer. The temporary exhibit area was open for approximately 250 hours. Total visitation was 600 people. The exhibit area will be open again in Summer 2008 and all of the Ambassadors are willing to serve again next summer.

Volunteer Lee Gustafson (rear) meets with visitors inside the boathouse, July 2007

C. Signage plan created, for future consideration and implementation by UMD. The signage plan will be submitted to MnDOT and to UMD for their review. The plan outlines two phases. The goal of Phase I is to improve traffic flow through the site and fix anachronisms from smelting era. Sugarloaf intends to implement the first phase in 2008. Phase II will require significant engineering and funding, so it will wait.


Conclusions Although successful for a first year project, this work has not nearly tapped the full potential of this location. Nor has it fully addressed the need for outreach to visitors and landowners regarding North Shore coastal concerns. Therefore, there definitely is still work to do. The original proposal called for the exhibit area to be opened inside the main fish hatchery building. However, building codes made that impossible. Instead, the public exhibit area Senior managers at UMD have recognized the university’s responsibility for refurbishing the historic structure for public use, addressing both historic preservation and code issues. Partially as a result of this project, UMD has applied to the Coastal Program (and committed matching funds) for critical exterior renovation of the building. Interior renovation of the building will wait until the programmatic plans are fully in place; this stage will be more expensive than the exterior renovations. The location proved itself to be perfect; this is the gateway to the North Shore and we have an existing and important historic structure to house the functions we’ve planned. However, traffic flow and some friendly competition from the Lake Superior North Shore Association make it difficult to fully realize the potential of the location. The signage plan (submitted with this report) addresses traffic flow as well as signage. There are numerous safety concerns at this location with traffic coming off of and back onto Minnesota Highway 61. Based on feedback from MnDOT, it appears that a new right turn lane off of eastbound London road would address many of these concerns and lead to improved signage potentials. However, it depends strongly on future collaboration with MnDOT and UMD. About 200 yards further east on Highway 61 is the blue building of the Lake Superior North Shore Association (LSNSA). LSNSA has operated this facility for over 50 years as a tourist information point, providing leads to motels, resorts and restaurants further up the shore. It is awkward and inefficient to have two information centers, one focused on interpretive visitors and the other on economic visitors. They are the same people, and the functions should be merged. LSNSA appears to be faltering as an organization and Sugarloaf has offered to assume the tourist information functions of the blue building in our own programs. Merging these services in one location would better serve the travelling public as well as landowners seeking North Shore information.


Appendices a. Identify, attach or cite any published articles, media reports, web pages, newsletter articles etc. that resulted from the project. Attaching:

• Sugarloaf newsletters with articles about the Limno Lab • Duluth News-Tribune article about Limno Lab

b. Pictures that illustrate the results of the project. MLSCP may use the images in reports to NOAA or other agencies, or for other outreach and education materials in the future. I have submitted pictures with the progress reports and would be happy to add captions to any of these, if desired.


Project Deliverables

Formative evaluation results Temporary exhibits Volunteers and curriculum Signage Plan

Deliverable for MLSCP Project No. 306-10-08 Contract Number: A92538

Project Title: Opening the North Shore Interpretive Center in the Historic Lester River Fish Hatchery

Andrew Slade, Executive Director Molly Thompson, Program Manager Sugarloaf The North Shore Stewardship Association

This project was hnded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA's Ofice of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program.

Results of formative evaluation of North Shore interpretive visitor's interest areas

Deliverable for MLSCP Project No. 306- 10-08 Contract Number: A92538

Project Title: Opening the North Shore Interpretive Center in the

Historic Lester River Fish Hatchery

Author: Molly Thompson, Program Manager Sugarloaf The North Shore Stewardship Association

This project was funded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program.

As a requirement of MLSCP Project No. 306-10-08, Sugarloaf: The North Shore Interpretive Association conducted surveys of North Shore visitors to assess their interest in possible topic areas and activities for the North Shore Interpretive Center. Visitors were encouraged to include additional topics and activities not listed on the survey. A sample of the survey form is included at the end of this report. Results Surveys were conducted on various dates from October to November 2006. All data was entered into a spreadsheet for analysis. Fifty-three surveys were completed.

• 59% of the persons surveyed were female. • The average number of people in the households of visitors surveyed was 2.6. • 55% of the visitors surveyed were between the ages of 20 and 59; 35% were 60 or older

and 10% were age 19 or younger. Overall, no specific topic was of significantly greater interest than other topics.

Topics of Interest

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

MaritimeHistory andShipwrecks

CulturalHistory

NaturalHistory

Geology Invasives ClimateChange

Fish andFishing

Weather Water quality Foresthealth

Interests

Inte

rest

Sca

le

Additionally, no specific activity type was of significantly greater interest to the people

surveyed.

Interest in Activities

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

View Wildlifedisplays

View Interactiveexhibits

View Film or video Attend Lectures Participate inGuided Outdoor

activities

Learn aboutOutdoor

RecreationOpportunities

Learn aboutResearch

Activity Type

Act

ivity

Inte

rest

Sca

le

When visitors were asked whether they wanted the interpretive center to focus on being a place that guides them to natural features of the North Shore or a place that focuses on teaching them about the natural features of the North Shore, the overwhelming response was that a combination of areas of both was wanted.

Focus of Interpretive Center

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

guides you teaches you both Other

guides youteaches youbothOther

Visitor comments included:

• Make people aware of the fragility of the natural environment. "Once you walk thru the wood and moss, you create a trail"

• Be careful where people are being guided to.

• I believe people want to do too many things while they visit the North Shore, so a guided experience is too long. However, people like to speak with and ask questions of "experts" as well as read and look at and interact with info boards.

Other topics of interested they listed included: • The myths about Lake Superior, superstitions, mystery of lake and north shore. • hiking, fishing, snowmobiling, "the fun stuff" • real animals would be fun to see up close • (information about) other parks in the North Shore area • Native American traditions on the North Shore. Impact of the loss of old growth trees,

caribou, and fish stocks; Impact of the shoreland encroachment of buildings and highways; cultural traditions of the Scandinavian immigrants; architectural history; lodging facilities, information and reservations center

• Cultural history - the families that made it all happen; historical timeline of development of North Shore.

• It would be smart to a have a tourist info desk funded by NS businesses to help tourists find attractions and lodging - it would give them another reason to come in

• Quality interpretation of geologic time • Restoring plan, trees, animal species as much as poss. • Limiting commercial development any way we can • North Shore Economics • Native American cultural influences on the North Shore • Environmental protection and regulation of the North Shore (waters & forests). How to

balance development of the shore with protection of habitat and protection of water resources.

• How the general population changes the ecosystem-environment and steps we can do to prevent damage to our natural environment.

North Shore Interpretive Center Survey

A new North Shore Interpretive Center in the Historic Lester River Fish Hatchery in Duluth is being planned. The Center would have exhibits and programs that explore many aspects of the North Shore of Lake Superior. Your answers to the following questions will help us design an exciting and useful Center. 1. How interesting are each of the following aspects of the North Shore environment to you?

(Circle a number for each item)

LEAST INTERESTING

MOST INTERESTING

A. Shipwrecks and Maritime History-------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

B. Cultural history of the North Shore------------------------------ 1 2 3 4 5

C. North Shore wildlife, birds and plants-------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

D. Geology of the North Shore--------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

E. Invasive plant and animals of the North Shore--------------- 1 2 3 4 5

F. Climate change effects on the North Shore------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

G. Fish and fishing of Lake Superior and its rivers and streams-------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

H. North Shore weather----------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

I. Lake Superior water quality---------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

J. North Shore forest health------------------------------------------ 1 2 3 4 5

2. Please rate each of the following visitor activities according to your interest in them.

(Circle a number for each item)

LEAST INTERESTI

NG

MOST INTERESTI

NG

A. Seeing displays about North Shore wildlife------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

B. Experiencing interactive exhibits-------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

C. Seeing a short film or video about the North Shore--------- 1 2 3 4 5

D. Attending lectures or seminars about North Shore natural and cultural history-------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

E. Birding, walking, kayaking or driving tours with a North Shore expert-------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

F. Learning about North Shore outdoor recreation opportunities including hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling----------------------------------------------

1 2 3 4 5

G. Learning about Lake Superior and North Shore research activities-------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 2 3 4 5

Please turn sheet over for more questions…….

Survey # ______

3. What focus would you like to see the new North Shore Interpretive Center take? (check one) ___ An Interpretive Center that guides you to natural features of the North Shore, or ___ An Interpretive Center that teaches you about the natural features of the North Shore, or ___ Both of the above, or ___ Other (please specify) _______________________________________________ 4. Please list any other topics you may be interested in seeing discussed at the Interpretive

Center. ____________________________________________________________________________________

The following questions are for statistical purposes only.

5. What is your gender? ��Female �� Male 6. How many people (including yourself) live in your household? _____________ 7. How many under age 16? ___________ 8. What is your age? �� 12 years old or less �� 13-19 yrs �� 20-59 yrs

60+ yrs 9. What is your zip code? ______________

This project was funded in part by NOAA’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program.

Thank you for your time and input!!

Survey # ______

Temporary North Shore Interpretive Center Exhibits

Deliverable for MLSCP Project No. 306-10-08 Contract Number: A92538



Molly Thompson, Program Manager Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association

This project was hnded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program.

WELCOME! '

RESEARCH IN 1 PROGRESS! A

How do we know this?

Lake Superior was formed by fire and by ice The dramatic cliffs and rocky beaches of the North Shore were created by massive geological events. I . I billion years ago. North America bt#ii~ toyre a @ @

Thick flows of lava poured from beneath, solidifying to form familiar places like Palisade Head and Shovel Point. In other places, the rising magma brought other rocks with it, creating. unusual features like Carlton Peak and Silver Cliff.

A rift valley formed, in a 1200-mile arch that ran from modern Kansas through Lake Superior and down to Ohio. Layers of lava and magma stacked on top of each other, cut across each other and buried underneath others. The rift stopped forming after about 20 million years. The hardened rock left behind was over twelve miles thick.

Since there was more rock in the middle of the rift, it was heavier in the middle and the layers tilted in toward the middle.

The main rock type in these lava flows was basalt, the classic gray rock of North Shore cliffs and beaches. Other rocks in the North Shore include the red rhyolite of Shovel Point and the hard diabase underneath Split Rock Lighthouse.

Geologists rely on the "Principle of original horizontality" and the 'Law of superposition' to understand rock layers and seq_uences. Simply put, geologists assume that rock layers were mostly flat when first created, and that the older layers were on bottom and younger layers on top.

Geologists from thc UMD Department of Geological Sciences did we rely on today to understand the geologic history of the bed Dr. John Green dedicated his research career to the North Sho of field research, Dr. Green identified the correct sequence of and then obtained the dates for the flows, using uraniumfiead

&a=---=l RL UOBM~IUVI radiometric age techniques. U r u ' ~ a ~ 7 1

OILLIIL *,nut 2 ~ ~ 1

Even though it's big, Lake Superior has little capacity to support life. . . -

out 10,000 years old

Limnologistr looked to the pal. . Even though the lake looks similar to the way it did about 200 populations continue to have their ups and downs. Some fish, I

And studied the present,

anglers enjoy catching Jake trout and introduced species including:

And peered into the future The future for fish and fishing in Lake Superior is bright. Fisheries ma

genetic implications of fishery management, and contaminants. :

+

L;

Aliens lurk in Lake Superior Although they're not from outer space, awatic invas~ve species ( AIS are plants, animals, and dls

I thrive once they get into waters beyond their natural range.

I Freed from the predators, parasites, pathogens, and competitors in their natural range, AIS behave like weeds. With hearty appetites and high '._. , rates of survival and reproduction, they overwhelm the environment and native species. Getting rid of them is usually costly and irnprectimi, or

wild land. The North Shore has intact forests instead of farm fields or parking lots.

How ao we know this? The creatures living on the North Shore today are proof. Scientists at the University of Minnesota Duluth's Natural Resources Research Institute participated in the Great Lakes Environmental Indicators project. They figured out how to use #ological indicators -bugs, birds and algae, for example- to tell them how healthy the Great Lakes watersheds are.

After the scientists had mapped the current condition of the enviro Lakes, they wanted to find a way to monitor the health of these are

HOW DID THEY DO THAT? Doctors use your body temperature as an indicator of your health. (It shou Id be 98.6 What can scientists use to monitor the health of the Great Lakes watersheds?

mean that the enviranme

Birds respond to enviro ditions such as vegetation types and loss of forest. Some bird species are ~ 4 & about the habibti and can only be found set of environmental conditions.

d Lake Superior, if these eight bird species are abundant it means the fore Warbler, Hermit Thrush, White-throated Sparrow, Red-eyed Vireo, Winter

On the other hand, R ckbirds, House Spamws, Common Grackles, Eastern European Starlip and && , V ( ~ U O I ~ ~ ~ T K ] Y V M N R ~ ~ * T H ~ W A ?

P i p n s are birds that graded areas and an abundance of these birds indicates a degraded h d k II*IYUI VmlDY UANW OR IWWCCS YIllf ro IL(UICH I U L ~ U S ~ U M I R Y W O F U M I U M I . W l M 'miIYUII(IMnlwMw DUIW.UYISBII 2lI?UIW

rshed is uniQue ... and fragile ~7 A watershed is the area of land that drains to a particular lake or river.

a A As water travels across land it picks up everything on the surface including motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers, animal feces and sediment. Along the North Shore, all of this flows into the nearest stream, and ultimately, into Lake Superior - one of the most nrictine and unique ecosystems in North America.

31 I

North Shore watersheds are among the least developed in the sta f M i ;ota. The cle'an water here is important to everyone. Clean water provides recreation, fish habitat, d r i n ~ ~ n g water and adds beauty to our landscape. As we w rk g r o t e c t these watersheds.

A The Minnesota DNR divides Minnesota into 8 major basins

L HOW do we and 8 1 major watersheds. F I f$ -

You are currently in the Great Lakes Basin and the Lake Superior South watershed. This means that all of the water from the land around us flows into Lake Superior.

The 81 major watersheds are subdivided into approximately 5600 minor watershed units. You are currently in the LesterIAmity watershed. The Lester River enters Cake

Volunteers and volunteer training curriculum

Deliverable for MLSCP Project No. 306- 10-08 Contract Number: A92538



Author: Molly Thompson, Program Minager Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association

This project was finded in part under the Coastal Zone Management Act, by NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, in cooperation with Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program.

North Shore Ambassador Training Agenda 2007

Thursday, May 10

! Introductions i 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm i Sugarloaf history, mission and future plans

i North Shore Ambassador program policies v I

j 7:30 pm to 7:45 pm i Break

i Presentation: Wateshed Protection. Mindy Gnnley, Coastal Nonpoint [ 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm [ Specialist, Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program

I i i Presentation: Smart growth and water quality. Jesse Schomberg, i 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm i Minnesota Sea Grant

I

!7:15 pm to 7:30 pm i Break I I

i Interactive session: i 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm [Customer Senrice. Patricia Smith Sauer, Professional Leadership Coach,

Leaders in Motion. - Thursday, May 24

i 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm [ Visitor demographics I

j 7:15 pm to 7:30 pm j Break

i 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm i Visitor demographics - training exercise

i Natural and cultural history - Brief introductions to North Shore geology, i 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm i wildlife, plants and cultural history. Meet st Limn, Lab.

i 9 am - 4 pm ; North Shore field trip - details to be announced I

8 t I

Sugarloaf The North Shore Stewardship Association North Shore Ambassadors - 2007

1. Dick Anderson

2. Yvonne Anderson

3. Kathleen Anderson

4. Nancy Berg

5. Margaret Cleveland

6. ChuckDavis

7. Cheryl Erickson

8. Jon Farchrnin

9. Lee Gustafson

10. Alyce Hagberg

1 1 . Jim Larson

12. Gary Meier

13. Rod Nelson

14. Mike Nordin

15. Becky Norlien

16. Nancy Otos

17. Beryl Peyton

18. Tom Ward

19. Kirby Wood

NSIC signage plan, page 1

Signage Plan UMD Limnology Building campus Site of proposed North Shore Information Center

Plan written by Andrew Slade, executive director, Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association Plan funded by Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program Project name: Opening the North Shore Interpretive Center in the Historic Lester River Fish Hatchery Contract number: A92538 Project number: 306-10-08 Plan date: December 31, 2007 Purpose of plan The UMD Limnology Building and associated structures at the Lester River in Duluth are an important architectural, historic and programmatic resource both for UMD and for the community. Constructed in the 1880s as a federal fish hatchery, the campus is ideally situated for outreach to the public visiting or living on Minnesota’s North Shore. The four buildings on the site are on the National Register of Historic Places. UMD’s lead partner, Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association is planning to work with UMD to restore the buildings and re-open the main building as the North Shore Information Center (NSIC). The NSIC would serve the travelling public much in the same way as a visitor center in a national park, with exhibits, an information desk, perhaps a short film, and sales of books and maps. Current traffic patterns and parking at the site are inadequate to accommodate the significantly increased traffic this new use would create. In addition, the site has signage left over from the 1970s and 1980s, when smelters overran the site. The purpose of this plan is to increase safety with improved traffic flow off of and back onto London Road. The plan assumes some restructuring of access to and parking on the site.


Overview of conditions Current signage was installed in the 1970s to accommodate a large influx of smelt netters that came for a few weeks in April and May with the annual smelt run. At the time, it was important to keep smelters from having large fires or camping on the site. Current traffic flow as signed is clockwise, with the “Enter” sign at the curb cut between the main building and the bridge, and the exit (implied by the “Do Not Enter” sign, at the curb cut at 60th Ave. E. 95% of the vehicles both exit and enter London Road at the curb cut near the bridge. Given current sightlines and speeds, the current signage yields the following problems:

1) Dangerous turning off of London Road. Cars are accelerating past 60th Ave. E, and a car turning right into the parking lot is in danger of being hit from behind.

2) Dangerous turning left out of the main parking lot. Traffic coming from the east travels over the rise of the Lester River bridge, and smaller cars actually disappear out of view. Even though this is signed as the entrance and not the exit, 95% of the vehicles both exit and enter London Road here.

3) Discouragement of safe turn at 60th Ave. E. The safest way to exit off of London Road at this time is at 60th Ave. E. However, the current “Do Not Enter” sign discourages many drivers from taking this turn.

Current site plan, with clockwise flow (December 2007)

London

60th Ave. E.

Limno Lab

Cottage

Lester River

DO NOT

ENTER

Parking

Proposed Site Plan, with counterclockwise flow (Phase I and Phase I1 complete)

VlSlTOR INFO AHEAD

RIGHT El

NORTH SHORE INFORMATION CENTER

UMD LIMNOLOGY BUILDING



Signage Plan: Phase I 2008 to construction of new parking lot

Phase I addresses current traffic flow issues and is not directly related to future plans for the facility. Phase I plans can be implemented immediately by UMD (Tasks One and Three) and the City of Duluth (Task Two). Most of the current signs on the property were installed in the heyday of smelting at the Lester River (1970s and 1980s) and are no longer relevant.

Phase I Goal: Improve traffic flow through site and fix anachronisms from smelting era

Task One: Remove current directional signage at 60th Ave. E. entrance and exit by Lester River Bridge

** “DO NOT ENTER” sign at base of 60th Ave. E., to be removed.

** “ENTER” sign at main parking lot, to be removed. This sign was created by the previous tenant, Great Lakes Aquarium (thus the fish logo).

Remove this sign


Task Two: Replace illegible, out-of-date signs with “right turn only” sign

Current signs across Highway 61 from building (shown below) read “No Parking This Side of Street” and “No Camping or Fires.” These signs are nearly illegible and are no longer relevant.

Install “RIGHT TURN ONLY” sign

Remove this sign


Task Three: Replace vinyl sign with new identifying sign at Limnology Building

To identify the building, its connection to UMD and its current function, a new sign would replace the temporary vinyl sign shown in the picture below. The historic “LIMNOLOGICAL RESEARCH STATION” black on white sign would stay, along with the metal plaque that indicates the National Historic Register status.

New sign text: University of Minnesota Limnology Building North Shore Information Center

Install new UMD sign

Remove vinyl sign

Signage Plan: Phase I1 After construction of new parking lot

Phase I1 of the signage plan is contingent on overall site access plans. Representatives from MnDOT have suggested that given the current sight lines and traffic patterns of the site, a new entrance and parking area could be created in between the cottage and the Limnology Building. This would include widening London Road to create a right turn lane. New signs would be placed to warn and direct traffic to this new entrance.

The new parking lot would not only address traffic flow issues. It would also provide the opportunity to rehabilitate the old parking lot area east of the Limnology Building and improve the drainage from the Limnology Building. The current drainage from the building is highly inadequate and leads to flooding in the basement and structural degradation.

Phase I1 Goal: Improve traffic access to the site

Task One: Instal W&g sign

Sign type: Advance Turn sign Sign location: At least 120 yards west of NSIC turn-off Sign size: 30 inches wide, 24 inches high Sign text VISITOR INFO AHEAD



Task Two: Install Entrance sign Sign Type: Destination sign Sign Location: At planned entry, on post with current Minnesota 61 sign Sign size: 30 inches wide, 24 inches high Sign text: VISITOR INFO [with right arrow] Current appearance

Planned appearance

New parking lot

New right turn lane

New info sign

New UMD sign

opening the north shore interpretive center in the historic lester river fish hatchery (306-10-08)

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