There's one other proboard I've ever looked at, though I didn't use it much. They had some custom graphics, and I thought it was neat! They replaced the dull folder icon that shows a thread/category has been fully read, as well as the folder with a "new" paper in it icon.
This is absolutely not necessary. But it would make the place stand out more and look cool. As for what those icons could be... uh. Well this is a "national park", yes? Maybe if a thread has some unread posts, the icon could have a non-descript creature poking its head out of a bush. If everything has been read, it'll just be a plain ol' bush. Maybe it can be dulled out as well, just to make it clearer.
Of course, the icons wouldn't have to be those specifically. Just figured to offer an idea of what it could be like sense I am suggesting it. If anyone else has other ideas, do share them!