The Final Project

Project Update 9

Project Update 8

Project Update 7

This past weekend I went out to the site and took the remaining GPS points that I needed for the trails of the preserve. Currently, these points are in the process of being extracted from the GPS device used, and sent to me from the Town of Clifton Park. Once I have them, I will be able to add them in as the final layer to my map, for the most part, finishing it. After that, it will pretty much just be aesthetic editing. At this point, my final mapping product should be completed within the next week.

Project Update 6

Over this past weekend I began collecting some of the GPS points that I wanted to incorporate into my map. I have added two bridge points and the location of a waste receptacle. I want to change the iconography of the symbols, and still need to make edits to my legend, but for now the stars work to show their locations. I also added the topographical layer to my map, all of these features can be seen below.

Project Update 5

Over this next week, I will be finally taking GPS points of the property and finding specific sites to add to my map. Currently I have an Ortho Base map with parcel boundaries and am in the process of adding a topographical layer to have over my base layer.

The project has pretty much come to a point where all that is left to be done is the collection of the specific points and then aesthetic editing. I am really excited to get out there and begin my collection of points and trails. I am planning on making at least two trips, as I know that there are a lot of data that I am going to need to collect. One trip will be devoted to marking trails only, while the other will be strictly for landmarks, such as bridges, monuments, scenic items that should be noted, as well as other natural markers.

I have included a current map that I am working with and hope to have the topographical layer added to it by the end of the week.

Project Update 4

I have been combing through the different map layers that I have found on the ArcGIS website and am really focusing down on the topographical layers right now to serve as a base to work around. The weather is finally clearing up, and the snow is gone! This is great for my project as now I am able to properly tour the site and eventually record important data points that might be useful for the project.

This week, most likely Thursday or Friday, I am planning on visiting the site, provided the weather allows, and doing a walk through the area to get my bearings on what features are where, and whether or not this past winter has left any damages that should be noted.

I also am going to be meeting with my Geographic Information Systems professor to look through her own records, as well as the Siena GIS repository to see what layers and data might be useful to the fulfillment of the project.

That's where my upcoming week is headed. Last time I visited with my client, we were not able to actually walk around the property because of the incredible amount of snow, so I am really excited to get out there in the field and get a chance to see the land in person. After that, I should have a better understanding of the site and have a deeper connection with the project, which will undoubtedly only make for a more successful mapping product.