Promote active lifestyles using mapping technology
By Dillon Rhodus
Technology is ingrained into our everyday lives. We have more information at our fingertips than every generation had before us. Utilizing mobile technology, the city of Florence, Ky., is using this to its advantage by providing interactive mapping information to its citizens. This application can also be of great value to parks and recreation professionals in sharing key components of a community’s outdoor characteristics.
The city provides numerous outdoor recreational areas for residents and visitors to enjoy. With seven parks spread over 10 square miles, the city prides itself in making sure citizens have access to nearby clean spaces for exercise and play. To highlight these outdoor recreation zones, the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff members in Florence’s Public Services Department created a digital, interactive map and a physical foldout map that features all 16 trails in the city. The interactive map uses the Story Map format, produced by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI). A Story Map is an online platform that combines narrative content, images, maps, and other multimedia to create web apps. This platform offers a user-friendly interface while providing interesting and easy-to-follow information. The Story Map product is versatile and can be used to showcase projects, such as tackling homelessness in major cities or documenting the history of ancient civilizations. The Florence Trails Story Map is mobile-compatible, so users can access the Story Map on their mobile devices while walking the trails. The map offers detailed information about each trail, and also provides geographic orientation complete with a trail photo and icon indicating its location on the trail for context. The information, photos, and maps are packaged into a manageable bundle.