Title
Review and Approve Design of Solar Walk on Shoreline Trail by Eagle Scout Ryan Liu
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Re: Review and Approve Design of Solar Walk on Shoreline Trail by Eagle Scout Ryan Liu
BACKGROUND
The Solar Panel Walk is proposed along Shoreline Trail which encompasses Bay Farm Island. This project is proposed by Ryan Liu as his Eagle Scout project.
On January 13, 2022, the Recreation and Parks reviewed the Solar Walk proposal and requested that Mr. Liu return with a more detailed proposal on the sign design and budget.
DISCUSSION
The overall project is described by Mr. Liu as:
This project would be to add informational planetary signs to the Bay Farm Shoreline Trail. There would be 8 separate signs, corresponding with each planet in our solar system including the Sun. Each trail sign would be mounted on a metal post with a sign board attached. Each sign board would contain information about each planet. On the Solar walk each planet's actual distance from the sun is scaled down 1000x onto the trail, which would be approximately 2.7 miles from start to finish.
The final draft design and text of the signs as well as the sign specifications are included in Exhibit 1. Each sign includes an image of the sun or planet, information on the size, distance from and rotation around the sun, as well as "fun facts." The signs are 24 inches by 18 inches and mounted on posts that are 3 - 4 feet high and are a height that is accessible for viewing by people with disabilities who may be seated in a wheelchair. The posts and backing are made of aluminum and painted black which works well in this marine environment. The signs will be digitally made with a graffiti resistant coating. Mr. Liu coordinated with Ben Burressben, a staff astronomer at Chabot Space and Science Center who reviewed the signs for content accuracy.
The location of the eigh...
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