Reading the Landscape
The strategy began with a rigorous analysis of the site. Detailed surveys, bylaw reviews and accessibility audits were translated into comprehensive maps outlining park boundaries, access points, circulation routes and destination zones. These tools provided a foundation for decision-making and design clarity.
Through direct engagement with City staff, Emergency Medical Services and accessibility advocates, Cygnus ensured the wayfinding system responded to diverse user needs and municipal requirements. Every sign location, name and designation followed a clear logic rooted in both site function and visitor experience.
Destinations were catalogued and assessed to create a structured framework for directional signage, regulatory messaging and emergency response information. At the heart of the system, a custom map supports clear orientation with braille, tactile symbols and key transit connections.
An Identity Woven from Nature
At the centre of the brand is a circular mark composed of interlocking “W” shapes, arranged in a radial formation. The symbol evokes a treetop canopy, a radiant sun, and the facets of a jewel echoing the park’s identity as the “Jewel of Waterloo.” It also speaks to the community, with forms converging toward a shared center. Paired with a calm two-tone green palette and a warm, accessible typeface, the identity is designed to feel rooted in nature and scaled for impact. Whether applied to signage, apparel, or print, it offers a cohesive visual language that is both distinct and deeply connected to the landscape.
Signs for Every Journey
Waterloo Park is a dynamic urban corridor, threaded with transit, trails and public life. Cygnus designed new signage to support every mode of arrival on foot, by bike, or by light rail while strengthening connections between the park’s many destinations. Custom entrance pylons define park gateways, and interior directional signage maintains legibility and visual continuity throughout.
The ION light rail runs through the park, with a station at the north end near the University of Waterloo. Here, wayfinding continues the travel experience, guiding passengers as they step from transit into the park. Clear connections to trails, recreation areas and gathering spaces ensure a seamless flow from rail to park.
Co-designed for Accessibility
Accessibility was embedded from the outset, guiding every decision in the Waterloo Park wayfinding system. With AODA-compliant features like tactile elements, braille, high-contrast graphics and intuitive layouts, the program was shaped through deep collaboration with the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC), the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee and local emergency services.
These insights drove critical choices, from signage placement to illumination and emergency response integration. A tactile map, co-designed with GRAAC, added a new layer of accessibility for people with vision loss. The result is a system that ensures the park remains welcoming and legible for all.
Built for the Long Term
Fabricated in powder-coated aluminum with durable, anti-graffiti finishes, each element was designed to endure Canada’s seasonal extremes while remaining easy to maintain and update. Cygnus worked closely with the City of Waterloo and local fabricators to ensure every detail, from installation to illumination, aligned with design intent and long-term performance. Today, Waterloo Park is a connected and inclusive public space where clear design guides every journey.
Project Gallery
Photography Credit:
Victor Lam
