Geographic Information Systems
in Parks and Open Space
Parks and Open Space has been using Geographical
Information Systems (GIS) applications since the mid-1990s to map and
locate the boundaries of its open space properties and maintain a data
layer for these properties. Parks and Open Space develops and maintains
the Open Space map, County Road Map,
and the
Reservoir
and Ditch Map (2MB PDF). GIS is also used as a planning and operation and maintenance tool for
resources on its properties:
- tracking elk migration and calving,
- locating prairie dogs, prebles meadow jumping mice, and other wildlife,
- mapping rare plants,
- evaluating the extent of forest fires and revegetation,
- determining trail location and construction,
- locating and tracking weed infestation, and,
- accounting for agricultural yields.
In addition, beginning in 1997, GPS technology has been used to locate
and map resources found on open space properties.
Beginning in 2000, staff in all parks and open space divisions were trained in ArcView to enable each division to tailor GIS to meet its
specific needs. County GIS shapefiles and other GIS data can be downloaded, free of
charge, or purchased from the County
GIS
website.
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