Barr partnered with the City of Hibbing to develop a comprehensive trails and signage plan that strengthens bike and pedestrian trail connectivity, improves pedestrian and biker safety, and supports Hibbing’s recreation and transportation goals. The plan builds on existing local initiatives and prior studies to create a coordinated, phased approach to trails, on-street bike facilities, and citywide wayfinding.
We began by reviewing existing conditions and previously completed studies, including the Hibbing Parks and Trails Master Plan, city walkability initiatives, Safe Routes to School (a national planning and safety program), and user data from fitness applications such as Strava. We identified trail connectivity gaps, high-priority transit corridors, and opportunities to connect neighborhoods, parks, schools, and regional trail systems.
Barr recommended a series of bike and pedestrian trail connections across the city, focusing on safely connecting users from Hibbing’s existing trail network to downtown areas and other popular destinations while remaining compatible with current roadway operations. We selected bike-lane and trail alignments that minimized impacts to parking, traffic flow, and snow clearing operations, supporting practical implementation in a northern Minnesota climate. We then developed a plan-implementation strategy that will help the city manage costs, adapt to community feedback, and coordinate improvements with future roadway and infrastructure projects.
As a first step, Barr helped the city conduct a pilot to test on street bike and pedestrian infrastructure. The pilot project allowed the city to evaluate recommended bike and pedestrian routes and make adjustments based on user experiences, safety, traffic information, and community input.
In parallel, Barr developed a wayfinding and signage package to improve visibility, navigation, and continuity in parks and along trails across the city. Using Maple Hill Park as a pilot location, we created a wayfinding system that includes:
Our signage designs build on community input from the Parks and Trails Master Plan and incorporates Hibbing’s “Iron Range” identity through materials, colors, and forms that reflect Hibbing’s local character and mining history.
Completed in 2024, the Hibbing Trails and Signage Plan provides the city with a clear, phased framework for expanding bike and pedestrian infrastructure that improves wayfinding and provides safe connections between neighborhoods and downtown.
