Finally I got round to phoning the council to tell them how much I love the black signs that popped up in parks across the borough a couple of years ago, instantly smartening up even the bleakest of grassy patches. Considering the signs’ stylish and un-council-like appearance, I suspected a designer was behind the sleek black prototype.
Richmond Council press officer, Elinor Ridgeway, worked on the signage project herself and gave me the back story. Turns out the ‘designer’ was the park-using public. Ms Ridgeway said: “In terms of priorities, parks is a huge in Richmond upon Thames so it was crucial we got it right. We went around with clip boards to all the big parks asking everyone what they wanted.” People were shown four drawings by professional designers. The black design was by far the favourite. In the end two designs were merged because most preferred the top of one and the lower part of another.
Ms Ridgeway added: “They are classic, sturdy and resilient to graffiti, but I also think that in 10 years they will still look fashionable.”
This post appears in the November issue of Living In Barnes & East Sheen.
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