The Tetons are known for their stunning beauty, outdoor recreation, and harsh weather. They will likely remain one of my favorite places I’ve ever worked. In my time guiding through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, I found that the Tetons are also home to a wide variety of outdoor exhibits. I’ve marveled over the stonework that points to notable peaks, felt bronze reliefs of bear paws, and read hundreds of interpretive signs at scenic overlooks. These outdoor exhibits create wonderful opportunities for visitors to learn, interact, and explore the amazing natural area around them.

A reader rail depicting a grizzly bear paw in bronze at the Jenny Lake visitor center in Grand Teton National Park.

But we have all seen outdoor exhibits in poor repair too. Maybe it was an outdoor sign with text barely legible after years of sunlight and storms, or a map with keyed-out scratches. Replacing those outdoor elements can be expensive. So how does someone keep outdoor exhibit spaces nice even after years of heavy use and harsh weather? If you are planning an outdoor exhibit space, the three “P’s” of outdoor maintenance will prepare you to create an outdoor exhibit that will last for years to come.

Plan Ahead: Complexity and Durability

Good maintenance begins long before the first exhibit elements are installed. The two key points to consider when planning an outdoor exhibit are complexity and material choice. Both considerations will affect maintenance needs and expenses. Choosing the correct level of complexity for your space and visitors will build a successful foundation to extend your exhibit’s lifespan.

Outdoor exhibits can be successful at varying levels of complexity, but up-front and maintenance costs increase rapidly with increased complexity. Designing exhibits with simplicity in mind minimizes maintenance costs because there are fewer parts to break or wear down. Simple outdoor exhibits may be simple reader rails at an overlook or a map at a trailhead, but they can also include touchable models or layered graphics for a more dimensional experience.

More complex mechanical interactives like flipbooks, cranks, and levers allow for an interactive experience but maintaining them will cost more. Highly complex exhibits with screens or audio-visual elements will allow for a more immersive experience but will also require higher development costs to ensure their durability for outdoor use. Similarly, maintenance will be costly as these electronics will need regular updates and refreshing.

A simple outdoor exhibit with a touchable model of the river floor. The flipdoor adds complexity and interactivity for the visitor.

Once an exhibit’s complexity is determined, it’s time to consider materials. Because outdoor exhibits are subject to extremes in weather, visitor use, and sunlight, it’s important to choose materials that will handle those challenges well. Materials like High Pressure Laminate (HPL) or powder-coated aluminum offer durable, scratch-resistant graphics that don’t fade easily.

Even when they are designed for durability and outdoor use, some materials still have specific shortcomings that can be overcome with proper design choices. For instance, HPL graphics are prone to chipping on the edges, so a simple design choice to bevel the edges or mount the graphics in a frame can greatly increase their lifespan with no added maintenance.

Sometimes durability is about keeping things looking new, but other times it's planning so they can age gracefully. The Urbana Parks District in Urbana, IL is an excellent example of this. Installed near the entrance to a wooded trail is a large sculpture of a tree. The Corten Steel sculpture was deliberately selected because Corten rusts in a way that creates a beautiful brown color and bark-like texture without risking the structural integrity of the sculpture itself.

Similarly, Osage orange wood was selected for use in the signposts. This wood was locally sourced and selected for how it would age outdoors. Both design choices resulted in a beautifully aging space that blends into the park itself. The design worked so well that a similar piece in a nearby park was installed several years later. Now, after several years of aging, both exhibits look better than they did when first installed.

A Corten steel tree with locally sourced Osage orange wood. As the materials age, they blend gracefully with the surroundings.

Proactive Maintenance

No matter how well-designed or durable the exhibit, maintenance will need to happen at some point in the exhibit’s lifetime. A proactive maintenance plan will ensure each element remains fresh and ready for visitors to enjoy. When the outdoor exhibit is first installed, compile a maintenance manual on all the materials, designs, contact information, and manufacturer-suggested care steps for each element. By keeping this list in one place, the maintenance process can be streamlined.

Knowing how to care for the exhibit and taking the time to do it are two different things. Be proactive, and you will thank yourself later. Weekly inspections to check for damage, vandalism, and cleaning needs can keep problems from growing into more expensive issues and replacements. Many outdoor graphic materials like HPL will also need yearly refreshes of their UV protective coating. This spray and wipe solution only takes a few minutes to apply but doing it each year will protect the outdoor graphics from fading or wearing out.

Proper Access

The final “P” is how easily accessible the exhibit elements are for installation or repair. Outdoor exhibits can be found just about anywhere from the edge of a parking lot to 10 miles deep into a hiking trail. One of the biggest reasons outdoor exhibit elements are so appealing is the freedom to install them in areas where indoor space is either not available or would remove the visitor from the experience. These remote locations can create a challenge for anyone trying to maintain those exhibit elements.

An outdoor sign from the Living Desert Zoo & Garden. Outdoor exhibits may be remote and should be designed for easy access or repair regardless of location

Consider access as early as possible. Will there need to be an improved surface for trucks to load and unload? Can the exhibit be designed in segments and constructed on site? What tools will need to remain accessible to the exhibit for future maintenance or repair? Addressing questions like these can eliminate costly headaches during install or care of the exhibit.

Proper access is also important for the exhibit elements themselves. If a part needs to be replaced or a graphic is worn down, access to those parts should be simple. If the entire display needs to be dismantled to remove one button, lever, or light, it will significantly slow the repair process. This can result in extended closures, costly repair visits, and another headache to take care of.

The outdoor reader rails at the Four Rivers Visitor Center in Will County, IL are excellent examples of varying complexities being designed for easy access and repair. Several elements are static graphics, but others include more complex elements like flipboards. One reader rail even includes audio elements.

The design of each reader rail considers the needs of the visitor, the use of its materials, and the ease of repair. Each component that can wear out or break is removable or accessible without dismantling the entire display.

Static elements like the touch display can be removed and replaced in one piece. Moving parts are mounted securely, but brackets are accessible with the right tools. The more complex, electronic elements are secured in a weatherproof box but can still be accessed for easy updates and repairs when needed. By taking accessibility into consideration, repairs become easy enough that replacement parts can be shipped to the site for existing staff to install instead of scheduling a specialized technician.

A. The front of an outdoor reader rail with buttons and a speaker. B. The front of an outdoor reader rail with static and mechanical elements. C. The back of the reader rail where electronics are housed for easy access and repair. D. The back of the simple reader rail with easy access to replaceable components.

Final Thoughts

Outdoor exhibits can capture the imagination of the visitors in unique ways. With the three “P’s” of outdoor maintenance they don’t have to feel daunting to care for. By taking time to plan ahead, be proactive in maintenance, and ensuring everything has proper access, any outdoor exhibit can last for decades at a time and look as beautiful as the locations they inhabit.