Fifth Update

Since my last update I have been working on my final map. I have been trying out different basemaps underneath the trails and markers. I am currently having trouble deciding which basemap I like the best. I obviously will need to ask the park association which map they like the best because it is their trail map. For now, I am open to any suggestions on which map looks the best and which I should present as my final map.

I am also open to any stylistic suggestions. Anything that will make my map look better is fine by me.

Here are my possible final maps:

Fourth Update

Since my last update I have accomplished a bit. I finally began to figure out how to add markers on the map to indicate parking, picnic areas, trail heads etc. I also re-walked all the trails around Little's Lake so that I can have a more accurate track of the trails.

I need to upload the new track that I have onto my base map so that I can compare it to my old track and possibly combine both tracks together to make a more accurate track of the trails. I also need to continue to add point of interest markers to my map. I hope to be able to present a rough draft of my map to the Little's Lake Park Association by next week.


I'm not entirely sure what else I should add to my map. I need some advice on what would make my map more professional looking or easier to read. I could really use some advice as I move forward and continue to make my map look more professional and more like the final product.

Third Update

On Wednesday, 10/22, I made my first visit to Little's Lake with a GPS unit. I walked the trails around the lake with the unit collecting data to add to my basemap. I mapped most of the trails, with the exception of one which did not get logged in the track on the GPS for whatever reason.

I plan to revisit Little's Lake again on 10/29 with the GPS unit and walk all the trails again while tracking so that I know that my original track was accurate. I will also get the data for the one trail that was not recorded during the last visit.

I also plan to continue work on the rough draft of the map and hope to be finished with that soon so that I can provide the Little's Lake Park Association with a preview of what I am working on.

Here I have included my rough basemap and a rough draft of the final trail map.

Second Update

As of right now, I have completed my basemap of the Little's Lake park. The basemap consists of an aerial image of the park with Albany tax parcels on top of the aerial image. I attained the aerial image from the ArcGIS online database. 

I will begin to scout out the park and map the trails this week. I am visiting the park on Wednesday to scout what trails I will be mapping and to see if there are any areas of interest such as creeks or wetlands. On Friday I will return to the park with a GPS unit and begin to collect data on the trails. 

Next week I will continue with data collection and scouting of the area around Little's Lake. I will also begin to put together a rough draft of my final map. 

Mapping Project Proposal

Introduction

Little’s Lake is a small lake located in Albany, New York. The land is owned by the Weare C. Little Memorial Park Association. It was originally owned by Miss Elisabeth C. Little and the estate was given to the park association in 1951. The total amount of land in the park is 25 acres. The purpose of the park was to set aside the land so that it could remain natural and be enjoyed by members of the park association. Members can enjoy activities such as boating, fishing, ice skating, and studying of local flora and fauna.

Objectives

The purpose of this project is to provide a map of Little’s Lake and its surrounding trails and walkways using GPS and ArcGIS software.

Methodology

This project will be focused on creating a map of the walking trails around Little’s Lake using a handheld GPS unit. That GPS unit will be used to attain coordinates of points along the trails around the lake. From there, the points will be added to a basemap attained from aerial image files in ArcGIS. Those points will then be connected along the trails and the trail map will be created.

Deliverables

This project will provide a digital map for the use of the Little’s Lake Park Association. That digital map could also be printed on a regular 8.5” x 11’ paper or on poster sized paper.

Data Sources

The data for this project will be collected from ArcGIS software, including ArcGIS online and ArcGIS basemaps, and collected GPS data. 

Work Plan

Week	Task
10/20-10/26	Collect data needed to create a basemap for the park.
10/27-11/2	Begin GPS data collection at the park using the basemap from the previous week as a reference.
11/3-11/9	Continue GPS data collection using the basemap as a guide for the trails.
11/10-11/16	Finish collecting any data that has not been previously collected.
11/17-11/23	Thanksgiving break
11/24-11/30	Begin adding data to basemap to create a rough draft of the final map
12/1-12/7	Continue work on the rough draft of the map. Begin to clean up the map to create the finished project
12/8-12/14	Finish cleaning up the map and put finishing touches on it so that a final product is made.