New Scenic Byway ‘Wayshowing’ Signs Being Posted

 — from Deborah Hopkins Buchanan, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau —

Many of the scenic byway signs are now up on Orcas! Those that need separate posts are a bit delayed; SJC Public Works’ goal was to put as many byway signs as possible on existing sign posts. You’ll find our Orcas Scenic Byway Steering Committee members in the attached photo, from left to right, Michel Vekved, Cathy Faulkner and Terri Gilleland.

Over ninety San Juan Islands Scenic Byway ‘wayshowing’ signs will be posted on Orcas and San Juan islands during April and May, eight-and-a-half years since undertaking the grassroots Scenic Byway process in the fall of 2005. The San Juan Islands Scenic Byway became Washington’s newest state byway in the spring of 2009.

Eighty-five metal, 12”x18” logo signs, to be posted during April by Scenic Byway partner San Juan County Public Works, will make it easier for visitors to find designated attractions, parks and amenities along the Byway on both islands. In addition, eight 60”x27” ‘gateway’ signs will be posted at the Anacortes, Orcas Island and San Juan Island/Friday Harbor Washington State Ferries terminals. (See photo) The signs were made possible via a national scenic byways grant, one of four grants received to date. Byway touring maps have been printed by the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau each year since 2009, and online tours are included on the Visitors Bureau’s website at www.visitsanjuans.com/tours and online brochure.

The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau has been leading this project since 2005 with a dedicated and diverse group of leaders and organizations serving on the steering committee/partnership over the years, which include, in alphabetical order:

• Cultural Resources Consultant – Boyd Pratt (Byway Signs Distribution Coordinator)
• Friends of Moran State Park – Michel Vekved
• Friends of the San Juans – Stephanie Buffum
• Light Heart Inc./Nonprofits Unlimited – Liz Illg (Byway Grants Manager)
• Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce – Terri Gilleland
• Orcas Pathways – Cathy Faulkner
• San Juan County Health & Community Services (Mobility) – Christopher Aiken
• San Juan County Land Bank – Judy Cumming
• San Juan County Parks – Dona Wuthnow
• San Juan County Public Works – Shannon Wilbur and Guard Sundstrom
• San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce – Tom Kirschner (& formerly Debbie Pigman)
• San Juan Island National Historical Parks – Lee Taylor (& formerly Peter Diedrich)
• San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau – Deborah Hopkins Buchanan (Byway Leader)
• San Juan Transit – Dan Ward (& new owner Kraig Hansen)
• Town of Friday Harbor – Sandy Strehlou
• Transportation Planner David Gow
• Washington State Ferries – Melissa Johnson

The Byway is divided into three segments: the first one-third encompasses 30 miles along the beautiful, blue marine highway (Washington State Ferries routes), the second one-third is a driving tour around San Juan Island, and the last third is a driving tour on Orcas Island. More information and videos can be found at www.visitsanjuans.com/scenicbyway.