Unique Art or Architecture
Works of art and architecture encourage exploration and reflect the communities where they are found and their values.
Art
Works of art are generally eligible so long as they are unique, distinct, and permanent. This can include indoor artwork (framed and murals) and museum exhibits that are intended to be permanent. Nominators should use the official title and credit the artist when possible. They should tell the story of the work, explaining the cultural context.
Submitters should make use of the supporting information section to verify the location and that it is unique and authentic using articles or other key information to help reviewers. In the case of temporary museum exhibits or art installations, consider whether it’s better to nominate the museum or location as a whole rather than the individual exhibits inside.
Murals and Street Art
Murals are great works of art and therefore eligible along with street art. Each mural should be a single Wayspot unless it has sections that tell a distinct enough story or are physically separate. Works that are considered vandalism would not qualify.
👍The mural above is a great example of a large-scale mural in a public place that highlights an event of importance to the community, and is most likely commissioned.
👍This mural (above) is a great example of street art that is distinct, unique, tells a story, and uses unique materials to create artistic value.
Vandalism
👎 The street art pictured above may have initially been a good example, but due to the overwhelming number of names and different styles added to this piece, there is evidence to suggest it is not an intentional work of art and is therefore not eligible.
Business Signage
Unique artistic merit can make a sign eligible. This could include being one of a kind and created by a local artist, or being distinctive and noteworthy in the local community. Is this a sign of something worthy of exploration? Submitters should ensure that they provide context as to why the sign meets the acceptance criteria.
👎 The logo above is famous: The Golden Arches. However, because it is so well-known and widespread throughout the globe, it is considered generic or mass-produced.
👍 The mural above also functions as a logo or sign for a business that can be considered eligible because it is a unique work of art.
👍 Even though this hammer above is technically an address sign, it is unique and notable to the business it’s meant to represent and could be considered eligible.
Buildings
A building with unique architecture, features, or historical or cultural significance can make a great nomination. The submitter should explain the story of the building or what about it in particular is unique. The supporting text should prove why this is an important building worthy of exploration. Referencing historical registries and news articles can be helpful when it comes to verifying your claims.
👍 This building above is a great example of unique architecture.
Architectural details on buildings like those pictured below may be eligible depending on the specific case that is made. Some cities have a dominant architectural style, and every single building in the area may have features that are in that style. As a result, those features may not be considered unique.
If the ornaments are unique compared to the rest of the buildings, however, or of historic importance, they can be eligible.
👍 The distinctive buildings above are good examples of architectural features that are unique to their areas.
Ruins
Ruins that are historically significant, preserved for heritage or tourism, and safe to access can be great places to explore. Submitters should provide context and information in their titles, descriptions, and supporting information. Referencing historical registries and news articles can be helpful when it comes to verifying your claims.
Ruins with no sign, but that are well-maintained and safe to access can be considered eligible.
👍 In the example above, the supporting text provided evidence that these were barracks at an early French fort in Illinois.
Trails & Markers
Trails that encourage following a specific official route by walking are great places to be social, exercise, and explore - the trail is the interesting feature. Trail markers are tangible anchor points that define the route of the trail on the Wayfarer map. A trail marker itself need not be an interesting object but its function on the trail should be unique to that location.
These types of trail markers are definitely eligible Wayspots. They look official and permanent. It would be great if the description included what is interesting about this trail, such as what sights it offers, or what it offers the community. When nominating, consider giving it a unique name to show these trail markers are distinct. The trail should be safely accessible to pedestrians. Generic utility identifiers and street furniture such as street names, car traffic directional signs, and bike lane signs (et cetera) are not eligible.
It can be difficult to prove the actual location of these markers, such as those under tree cover or not visible on street view. Submitters should make good use of the supporting text and photos when nominating and include when possible links to official sites in support of the nomination. Reviewers should also use clues such as trail and park maps to help.
👍👍👍 This marker includes various official logos, a trail name, direction arrows, specific places, and distances that are clearly unique to this location.
👍👍 Although no specific name is provided on the marker above, it is official, permanent, and unique.
👍 Although the sign looks mass produced and the trail is beside a street, it has a trail name, logo, and directions at a decision point.
👍 Although these are mass produced, they are official and at a decision point. The object and its function are unique. The supporting photo and website of the route will help verify this rural location.
👎 Although this could be mistaken for a trail marker, it is simply a set of directions to various places in the city so it is not eligible.
Survey Markers
Survey markers can be eligible if they meet the acceptance criteria for encouraging exploration. Good examples can include survey markers located at the peaks of hills and mountains, at the ends of peninsulas, or on other noteworthy local landforms, so long as they can be accessed by pedestrians through the use of trails or similar paths. Some survey markers might also have an interesting and unique history which may make them eligible; in these cases, submitters should ensure that they provide sufficient context in their titles, descriptions, and supporting information.
Survey markers are not inherently eligible and reviewers should evaluate each one based on the Wayfarer criteria. Mass-produced markers, even if stamped with a unique identification number, are not eligible if they are located in unremarkable locations.
The following are examples of eligible survey markers.
👍 Above is an example of a permanent survey mark on a mountaintop and represents a great place to explore. Referencing marker databases and providing additional context in your supporting information can help reviewers verify your claims.
👍 Some survey markers such as this one which celebrates the 150th year since the foundation of the local state are eligible due to their historical significance and value to local exploration, however, the submitter should provide sufficient evidence.
👎 Above is an example of an ineligible survey marker. It is mass-produced, located in an unremarkable location with little value for exploration, and is potentially unsafe for pedestrians due to its location on the verge of the road.
Private Residences, Farmland & K-12
Single-family private residential properties (SFPRP), farms, and K-12 (schools or facilities primarily focused for persons under 18 years of age) are ineligible. This includes the outer facing facade, fence of these locations, and property boundaries.
Objects in or upon apartment blocks, gated communities, or their shared spaces may be eligible assuming they otherwise meet criteria and are intended to be accessed by a community, even if not everyone. Communal spaces have the potential to be eligible locations for Wayspots: for example, a mural in an entrance foyer, an outdoor exercise area, or a dedicated social space.
👍 A prominent artistic display on the outside wall or in a shared space of an apartment or otherwise shared dwelling building, like the one pictured above, are eligible.
👍 Shared community spaces in multi-family residences and apartments like those above can be eligible.
Residential neighborhoods, if evidence supports it, may also contain non-private land that could be an eligible location for a wayspot.
**Easements, “right-of-ways,” and sidewalks are too broad to make a global statement on, but the guidance is the same as above - if it is part of a private residence, it is ineligible.
Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries (LFL) can be eligible for nomination, but their location is critical to whether they can be accepted. Little Free Libraries with safe access on sidewalks outside of apartment buildings or on municipal or communal property are eligible. Those on single-family private residential properties (SFPRP) are ineligible.
👍The LFL above is a good example of an eligible Waypoint. It is on public property and is well-maintained. It faces the sidewalk, does not block access to the driveway, and also allows users to gather in a safe place.
👎The location pictured above is a good example of a LFL that may be in eligible location, but should not be accepted. This LFL cannot be accessed safely by pedestrians on foot. It does not face the sidewalk and instead requires users to stand in the road to access the books.
If a LFL is placed on eligible property in such a way that any visitors may obstruct the entrance, may encourage trespassing, or may present danger from nearby traffic, they should be considered ineligible.
Shopping Plazas
Plazas can be great places to socialize and explore. Large shopping centers or stripmalls can be destination attractions and cultural hubs. They may contain outdoor social space, shops, and businesses which on their own are not eligible, but together can become an interesting place to visit. The supporting text should demonstrate why these are great places to be social and not just to conduct business.
👍 A named sign for the location could be acceptable providing it is in a location that is safe to access and stand.
Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Parks are great places to explore, exercise and socialize. A nomination can be made for a park even if a park does not have a physical sign but is clearly a park. If there is an obvious entrance or focal point, that would be a good location to place the pin, but equally the middle of the park may be suitable. The supporting photo and text should provide evidence that the location is intended to be used as a park or recreational area.
👍 The image above is a good example of a park that lacks a sign but placemarks a park.
Picnic Areas
Picnic areas are great places to be social! Note that a picnic area with a group of tables constitutes one nomination. However, not all picnic areas are eligible across the board. For example, a picnic table on single-family private residential property should not be accepted.
👍 Picnic areas and tables that appear to be permanent, even if not bolted to the ground like those above, are great places for socialization.
Sports Fields
Sports fields and athletic fields encourage exercise and socialization and are often good places to explore. It is important to choose a pin placement that respects and does not interfere with the sporting activity. See the image below for guidance. For sports fields with multiple points of play, there should be one nomination to encapsulate the entire field.
**Note that each sports field nominated needs to be distinct from others at the facility and have a unique title.
Golf & Disc Golf Courses
Both sports are great ways to exercise and socialize. Wayfarer regards the whole course/play area in each sport as one field of play. This means there should be one Wayspot, which could be the first tee or a marker at the start to represent the whole course. The individual start and end points of each section of the course should not be submitted. There is potential that other qualifying objects exist within the large area of a course. If individually eligible these may be submitted for consideration.
As with other sports areas, pin placement of any object within the course area should not result in any interference with play. Careful consideration should be given when assessing a nomination at a course, with regard to safety concerns. Baskets in Disc Golf and golf holes should not be accepted as there is a clear safety risk associated with standing next to them.
Fountains
Fountains are often places where people can go to meet, socialize and explore if they are visually unique. However, they need to be able to be accessed safely.
That’s why fountains in the middle of inaccessible bodies of water are not acceptable.
👍 This fountain above is a great example of a point of interest that would be great for socialization and exploration.
👎 This image above is not a fountain, but a pond aerator. As it is a utility that is located in the middle of the water, it is not a great place to explore, and is not eligible.
Pools
Community pools, or those associated with sports facilities, can make great nominations and should be considered eligible. While nominating you should keep in mind that it should be a place where people can go to exercise or be social with others, a place of entertainment, and fun.
It is important to choose a pin placement on a side of the pool that respects and does not interfere with the use of the pool, and is a safe location.
Businesses:
There are many stores, restaurants, and businesses that may seem generic or not notable at first glance, but can be eligible with the proper supporting information.
Generic Businesses
A store that may be considered generic may not hold much cultural importance in larger cities, but these places can function as social hubs in more rural areas. Supporting evidence should be provided that makes a good case for why a seemingly generic business is a great place for the local community to explore or be social so the reviewer can get a better understanding of the importance and vote accordingly.
Restaurants
Restaurants can be great places to be social and great places to explore, and should not be rejected in all cases. Local restaurants and cafes in all areas often have interesting backstories, exceptional menus, or are highly rated places that someone might recommend to an out-of-town visitor.
In more rural areas, a chain restaurant may be an extremely popular local hot spot. Supporting information should make this clear in all instances, and it is helpful to provide links to newspaper articles or reviews, if available.
Cemeteries & Other Sensitive Locations
Sensitive locations such as funeral homes, burial grounds, cemeteries, and graveyards should generally be avoided out of respect, but gravestones belonging to historical figures or significant community figures can be eligible if the nominator provides evidence for their historical importance.
👍 The picture above is a good example of a gravesite of community importance, and can be considered eligible if proper context is provided. Harvey Pekar was a famous comic book artist, and his fans come to leave pens and markers in the gravesite as a memorial to him. This activity has been approved by the family and the cemetery, and helps to make this a unique point of interest.
Crosses, churches, chapels, shrines, war or veterans memorials, religious sculptures that are not part of the grave are also eligible for consideration if they are publicly accessible.
👍 These chapels above are great examples of unique architecture within cemeteries that can be accessed by the public.
Controversial Memorial Sites
Places that eulogize slavery, racism, or other acts of oppression and portray them in a positive light are not eligible and should be rejected as sensitive locations.
For example, sites in the United States such as Confederate cemeteries, gravesites, and memorials are not eligible unless the site is now part of a museum that provides educational value. Proper evidence must be provided that the site is used for such purposes.
Other Sensitive Locations
Sensitive memorial sites that do provide educational value may not all be considered eligible, however. For example, places like Auschwitz-Birkenau may provide a lot of educational value through their museum and programming, but are also active sites of mourning. As a result, they should be rejected as sensitive locations out of respect.
**Note that in certain jurisdictions there are also legal considerations that need to be taken into account and as such otherwise eligible nominations at all of the locations mentioned above may not be accepted there.
Military Bases
Nominations of or within Military bases are generally ineligible. However, if the nomination is of a park or public area that is open to the residents of the base or the general public in the military base it will meet our eligibility criteria.
👍 This picnic area which meets the socialization criteria is eligible. It’s located in the residential part of the base and accessible by military personnel and their families.
👍The out of commission helicopter has 2 information boards which provide details of its engineering and its use, a great place for exploration. It’s located in a publicly accessible park within the military base property.
Benches
Memorial benches can only be eligible under the criteria for exploration if they are dedicated to a notable figure and that notability is described in the nomination. Mass produced memorial benches dedicated to friends and family are not eligible unless the nominator provides evidence of the individual’s importance to the community. Just stating that someone was important to the community is inadequate.
👍 Note that benches that are artistically crafted like the bench above can also be considered eligible as works of art, encouraging exploration and could also be nominated as such.
Benches (with or without plaques) can encourage exploration if they are an anchor at a significant point such as a scenic viewpoint.
👍 The images above are great examples of benches that provide an anchor for a great view and encourage exploration and exercise.
Playgrounds
Playgrounds meet the criteria for exercise, exploration, and socialization, and as long as they are not located on single-family private residential property or K-12 schools can be considered eligible.
Playgrounds should be nominated as whole and not individual playground items. Even if the area includes separate slides, climbing frames, sandboxes and or swings, there should be one Wayspot nomination marking them all as a collection. If there are separate, clearly divided playgrounds for young children and older children as below, however, each can be nominated individually.
👎 Some ordinary items may look slightly like play equipment, but are not proper play structures.
For example, a carpet beater, as pictured below, is a piece of utility equipment and therefore is not eligible.
