Riverside Retreat
I was commissioned by the Friends of Riverside Nature Park, to illustrate and design signage to encourage more exploration of the park. Riverside Nature Park is based on the site of Dundee’s old landfill area, with an area of waste having been transformed into a safe and thriving place of nature. Set at the beautiful side of the River Tay, the park provides a safe place for a diverse range of birds and insects.
Working alongside the park’s volunteers and based on responses to a consultation form, I developed ideas to inspire people to explore, play and enjoy the space. The signs are themed loosely around the seasons, the signage trail spotlights different safe spaces for nature in the park, and the creatures that live there.
The project was organised by the Art and Nature Collective and the Friends of Riverside Nature Park, and was funded by the West End Regeneration Grant.
Welcome to Riverside Retreat
This is the first sign in the series, featuring a welcome sign with a map to find each different sign on the trail.
The sign consists of an abstract map showing the different places to explore, the bus stop, the bird hides and the paths to navigate the park.
The composition is inspired by the park from above, using the river area to contain the type, and featuring some notable landmarks like Ninewells Hospital in the skyline.
The sign also features information about the history of the park, and a list of different actions to take following a visit - including sharing protecting, and participating.
There’s also a QR code link to Dundee City Council’s page and Riverside Nature Park’s Facebook Group.
Winter Viewpoint Village
This is Winter Viewpoint, a sign celebrating the beautiful sunsets at the viewpoint in the park.
The sign features two characters enjoying the view, looking out to the reflections and ripples in the hills and river.
Activities include spotting places in the skyline, spotting different fish and birds, finding colours, and identifying different things in the skyline.
Inspired by winter sunsets, the colours are calming but warm, with soft shapes and ripple marks.
The sign also features a QR code to listen and learn about the Pink-footed Goose on RSPB’s website.
Spring Sky Playground
Welcome to Spring Sky Playground, a sign inspired by the beautiful skylarks that live in the park. During the summer months, the skylarks nest in the grass, meaning visitors can’t walk on the grass in these areas. The sign features some information about this, and some activities including stargazing, singing songs like the skylarks.
The sky features different marks you might see in the night sky.
There’s also a QR code to skylark song and some more information about the protected birds.
Summer Meadow
This sign is inspired by the beautiful meadows in summer time in Riverside Nature Park.
The sign features different abstracted flowers and plants, with insects enjoying a picnic in the space. Activities include spotting the different plants, using a nature identifier app to find different creatures and flowers and hopping to the nearby pond.
There are also notes to ensure visitors protect the flowers, by letting them grow tall and not picking them.
Autumn Nettle Town
Welcome to Autumn Nettle Town, a sign inspired by the nettle sanctuaries around the park.
Visitors can have negative associations with nettles, so this sign was made to celebrate the positives of the plant. Different insects find safety amongst the nettles, and birds like to eat the seeds.
This sign was created using a combination of collaged leaves and painted shapes, and acts as a physical maze you can follow with your finger, or a prompt to look in the nettles themselves for creatures and insects hiding.
