Interpretive Trail Signs

Photos by Kristine Thomas

Poet T.S. Eliot once said, “The journey not the arrival matters.”

His words capture the spirit and adventure of exploring the 20 Interpretive Trails signs on Sunriver’s pathways. The first ten signs were installed in 2005, the next six in 2006 and the final four in 2008. It’s well worth the adventure to slow down, read the signs and reflect on the Sunriver area’s unique history and environment as well as the men and women who spearheaded the installation of the signs.

The Sunriver Anglers Club created the signs to showcase Sunriver’s geology, history, ecology, flora and fauna. Whether you are a walk, run or bike ride, take a moment to slow down and read the signs. Or challenge family and friends to see who can photograph all 20 signs first, creating your own treasure hunt to learn about the Sunriver area.

According to an article in The Sunriver Scene dated August 2017, Rod Juranek and Sean Cracraft presented the idea for interpretive signs to the Sunriver Anglers Club members, who endorsed the idea. Doug Vakoc, Tom Kelly and Jack McDonald “stepped up to lead critical components of the effort.”

In a recent interview, Vakoc shared he had recently retired from Freightliner when he was assigned with finding people to research and write intelligent and interesting text.

Vakoc said the project showed the community’s commitment and cooperation to take the project from an idea to a realization, adding that many people played a role in various parts of the project.

“We also had to raise $20,000 for the signs, so we sold dedicated memorials for each sign,” Vakoc said, adding he and his wife, Jane, sponsored sign #9, “River Hydrology.”

The undertakings of any project require dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s. Although many of the volunteers had little or no experience in creating interpretive signs, Vakoc said the volunteers had retired from successful careers, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to accomplish the task.

Vakoc praised Jack McDonald for the forethought of manufacturing and installing signs that could endure Central Oregon’s weather. A retired aeronautical engineer at McDonnellDouglas, McDonnell visited existing informational signs at the High Desert Museum and Bend’s Pilot Butte.

He encourages people who want to understand and appreciate Sunriver’s history and nature to visit the signs.

“The signs tell people something about the area while also enjoying themselves on a bike ride or a walk,” he said.