The overall goal of this project will be to replace the existing regulatory signage at three Humboldt Lagoons State Park beach access points. The existing signs would be replaced with interpretive signs that utilize the four components of P.O.R.T. These are pleasurable, organized, relevant and thematic. The new interpretive signs will use short words and sentences along with similes and metaphors to increase readability, high quality images which are aesthetically appealing, and pictograms to ease linguistic barriers. The signs will be based on themes and subthemes, “Be Aware of the Beach Beast: Protect Yourself from Sneaker Waves,” as well as meaningful and personal, more effectively connecting the overall message to information which the visitor already knows and cares about. Furthermore, the proposed signs will be much larger and aesthetically appealing. The larger 2 ft. x 3 ft. signs, along with high resolution images will facilitate a platform for recreational visitors to educate themselves about the potential safety concerns involving sneaker waves attributed to the park’s steep, coarse sand beaches.

This research hopes to illicit data about park visitor’s behavior while recreating on or near the wave slopes. As a result of the improved sneaker wave awareness signage, we hope to reduce the fatality rate on Humboldt Lagoons State Park beaches by 95% within three years of installation. Furthermore, we would like to increase the ability of park visitors and the community to make informed decisions in the event that they are confronted with an emergency response situations. One limitation of interpretive signs has been the signs’ ability to overcome the public’s social norms. The interpretive signs’ take home message will be, “Share what you have learned with friends, family, and especially children.” This message will hopefully lead to further education of not only the visitor’s families, but the broader community in general.