GRETNA CITY PARK
“The new signage is both beautiful and functional. It enhances the park experience for our residents and visitors alike.”
— Gretna City Park
steel fabrication • large format printing
fabricated wayfinding • waterjet cutting
interpretive signage • educational signage
the client
Gretna City Park is a vital greenspace and environmental preserve in Gretna, Louisiana, featuring wooded trails, wetlands, and community gathering areas. As part of a broader park revitalization initiative, the City of Gretna partnered with OPA Signs & Graphics to develop and implement a unified signage program that would improve navigation, educate the public, and reflect the park’s natural identity.
the project
As part of a larger park revitalization initiative, Gretna City Park required a comprehensive signage system that could improve wayfinding, educate the public, and visually integrate with the park’s natural environment across more than 80 acres of trails, wetlands, and community spaces.
OPA Signs & Graphics was contracted to design, fabricate, and install a high-durability signage program consisting of three monument entrance signs and fourteen monolithic trailhead and educational signs.
The scope included site planning, material selection, fabrication, concrete foundations, and full installation. Project objectives focused on clearly marking park entrances, improving trail navigation, delivering educational content about local ecosystems and conservation efforts, and using low-maintenance, vandal-resistant materials suitable for long-term outdoor exposure. A unified material palette of waterjet Corten steel ensured visual cohesion across all sign types.
our challenge
Executing the signage installation presented complex logistical and environmental challenges. Sign locations were distributed throughout heavily wooded areas, wetlands, and remote trail intersections with limited vehicle access, making transportation of materials, particularly concrete, labor-intensive and technically demanding.
Each sign required reinforced concrete foundations installed without disturbing tree root systems, protected wetland areas, or natural drainage paths. Crews frequently hand-carried tools, equipment, and materials deep into the park and relied on creative staging solutions to achieve accurate placement and structural integrity.
solution
The completed signage program delivers intuitive navigation, clear entry points, and engaging educational content, all wrapped in a timeless, environmentally integrated aesthetic that reflects the City of Gretna’s investment in design, durability, and community.