Discussion: Mapping trails in Lawrence parks

This thread is for info and discussion of the project where OK is volunteering to collect GPS tracks of nature trails in Lawrence parks.

Here is how the project should work (may have some small changes as we get started). We will collect GPS tracks of trails in various parks. We'll provide those tracks (probably as GPX files?) to the cithy's GIS coordinator who will then use the tracks to create maps for the Parks Dept.

I've requested that the GIS coordinator prepare maps from the city GIS giving us park boundaries, contours, and main planimetric details. I might also have asked for air photos. I think we'll get 8.5 x 11 PDFs. I figure that we can use the PDFs to carry while we collect the data and, if necessary, add a few notes to the map - maybe a very rough sketch of the trail system.

It seems like we've got more volunteers than parks - which is a great thing. Fritz is willing and able to help out, but doesn't have a GPS. Maybe someone can loan him one. Of course, collecting the tracks can be a one person job or one person plus others who tag along.

Here is the info from Parks about what they're looking for:

1. Riverfront Park is a big one. There are trails along the river and also mountain bike trails at the east end.

2. The Dog Park trails out on the 1600 acre park on the Corp property would be nice to map

3. Prairie Park has some non-concrete trial that would be nice to map

4. Dad Perry Park has trails in the woods

5. Kanza Southwind Nature Preserve has nature trails that could be mapped

6. It would also be nice to map the Burroughs Creek Trail as it is being built so that it can be accurately delineated on our areal photos.

If I'm going to get started, it will be tomorrow as it may be three weeks before I have a free weekend. I'll save the GPS data until I find out who to send it to. If I feel I can handle a long run, I'll do the river trails, otherwise maybe try the Kanza trails. I've got a Google map/photo already.

You know the trail bikers have had a map of the river trails for a long time on-line; not sure how up to date it is. Has good notes. Here's another photomap of the trails.

Do we want to run this Sunday afternoon? Gene, I know you have already run. Maybe we can lend your GPS to Fritz?

I may be available to run on Sunday.

Unfortunately, my Garmin watch's strap broke again (twice in two months!). Even more unfortunately, this time the failure was on the side of the watch housing, so it's not an easy fix.

Are you coming to either of the events on Saturday?

Kill Creek, for sure. I didn't realize that there was a night-o until this week. I'll bring along my small headlamp, so there's a good chance I'll do it.

I've got maps from the GIS coordinator that cover each of the parks they'd like us to map. The maps show aerial photos, contours, park boundaries, roads, and buildings. They are PDF files.

I think it'd be useful to have a map with you when you get your GPS tracks. Just drop me an email and I can send you a PDF of whichever park or parks you're interested in.

Maybe we can chat at Kill Creek about how to get this all done.