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New Downtown Wayfinding Signs Help Make Appleton More Accessible for All
A new generation of downtown wayfinding signs is beginning to appear along College Avenue in Appleton, marking the visible result of a year-long collaboration focused on making public spaces easier to navigate and more welcoming for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities.
The first kiosk was installed this summer, representing an important milestone in a project that traces its roots to AARP's Livable Communities Technical Assistance Program (LC-TAP). Through the program, Appleton Downtown Inc. received technical assistance aimed at improving access to public spaces and enhancing the downtown experience for people walking, exploring, and visiting local destinations.
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Working alongside Appleton Downtown Inc., AARP Wisconsin helped connect the community with 8 80 Cities, an international nonprofit organization that helps communities create public spaces that are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for people of all ages. The technical assistance focused on improving downtown wayfinding along College Avenue, identifying opportunities to make existing pedestrian kiosks easier to use and more effective at helping residents and visitors navigate the district.
The project included recommendations related to kiosk design, map readability, accessibility, and the presentation of information. Throughout 2025 and early 2026, project partners worked through multiple rounds of planning, review, and refinement. 8 80 Cities developed wayfinding recommendations, map concepts, and accessibility-focused design guidance, while Appleton Downtown Inc. coordinated closely with the City of Appleton to adapt those recommendations into a final design suitable for local use and long-term maintenance.
As installation of the first kiosk began this summer, Jennifer Stephany, Executive Director of Appleton Downtown Inc., reflected on the impact of the collaboration:
"Thanks to technical support made possible through AARP Wisconsin and AARP's Livable Communities Technical Assistance Program, we successfully navigated a complex update to our pedestrian kiosks. Working with 8 80 Cities and the City of Appleton, we transformed outdated infrastructure into clear, modern maps featuring walking times and key points of interest. This crucial upgrade greatly improves local walkability and better connects our district to the riverfront."
The project illustrates the value of technical assistance as a catalyst for local action. Rather than prescribing a single solution, the LC-TAP process provided expertise, examples, and design recommendations that local leaders could adapt to fit community needs. By combining national resources with local knowledge, the partnership produced a practical improvement that residents and visitors can now see taking shape on downtown streets.
For AARP Wisconsin, the effort aligns with ongoing work to support livable communities across the state. Accessible wayfinding helps people of all ages feel confident using public spaces, whether they are longtime residents, first-time visitors, older adults, families, or individuals with mobility or sensory challenges. Clear navigation systems support walkability, encourage exploration of local businesses, and strengthen connections between community destinations.
The installation of the first kiosk is an important milestone, but it also represents something larger: the successful translation of community vision into tangible change. What began as a conversation about accessibility, walkability, and navigation has become a permanent improvement in Appleton's built environment.
AARP Wisconsin congratulates Jennifer Stephany, Appleton Downtown Inc., the City of Appleton, and 8 80 Cities on reaching this milestone and looks forward to seeing the completed wayfinding system help residents and visitors better experience everything downtown Appleton has to offer.
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