A wayside exhibit entitled "Explore the Heart of Acadia."
The exhibit's title appears over an autumn view of a trail through a forest. A few hikers walk along a path strewn with red leaves. Colorful trees form an arch over the path.
Introductory text reads: "Leave the noise and traffic congestion behind. Experience the remote parts of Acadia by foot, bike, or horse-drawn carriage on some of the park's 45 miles of carriage roads. Enjoy sweeping vistas and close-up views as you weave around mountains and valleys, pass through forests and meadows, and swing by brooks and lakes. Examine the fine roadwork and picturesque stone bridges built by local residents employed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. who gave most of the rustic, broken-stone roads to the park."
A photograph shows a family standing at a signpost where bicycles are parked. Wearing helmets, they consult a map.
An inset features a large map showing a portion of Acadia National Park. An enlargement of the area around Jordan Pond shows more detail. An arrow points to an intersection of carriage roads: "You Are Here."
More arrows point out a Visitor Center, the 10.8-mile Jordan Pond/Eagle Lake Loop, and the 4.8 mile Scenic Bridges: Amphitheater Loop which extends for an additional 5.6 miles if including the Hadlock Loop. Another arrow points to the 5.3-mile Day Mountain Loop. "Up the mountain is an additional 3 miles round trip. Horse-drawn carriages frequent this loop; yield and use extreme caution."
Symbols show locations of parking lots, restrooms, picnic areas, camp grounds, hiking trails, seasonal ferry routes, bus stops, boat launches, seasonal swimming, food service, and spots where drinking water can be found in summer months. Labels also identify visitor centers and ranger stations, museums and nature centers, ponds, mountains, bridges, and roads, as well as areas that are private property.
Text offers information to Plan Your Trip: - Carry a carriage road users map and follow the numbered signposts at every intersection. - Carriage roads are not flat. Expect both steep and gradual hills. - Take plenty of water and snacks. - When hiking on park trails, carry a topographic map and be prepared for steep and slippery trails.
More text provides Safety Tips for bicycling, a major cause of visitor injuries. - Bicyclists should yield to all users. - Keep to the right; warn others when passing. - Maintain a speed that is safe for everyone. - Slow down around horses - keep your distance and be prepared to stop. - Do not obstruct the road; travel no more than two side-by-side. - Expect loose gravel and avoid sudden stops.
Additional text urges visitors to Protect the Park: - Carriage roads are closed to motor vehicles. - Carriage roads on private land are closed to bikes. - Pets must be on leashes six feet or less. - Hiking trails are closed to bicycles and horses. - Carry out what you carry in.
A quote: John D. Rockefeller Jr. "wished to make available to everyone the spectacular views of mountain and ocean … lakes and forest … meadows and woodland streams." - Ann Rockefeller Roberts, Mr. Rockefeller's Roads
