Walkers enjoying the trail in Carkeek Park Exploring the city’s lush green spaces just got easier, thanks to a collaborative effort between Seattle Parks (SPR) and Seattle IT. With this new initiative, visiting parks has become more convenient and accessible, offering more reasons to fall in love with your neighborhood parks.
“Since 2019, the SPR Trails team has continued to utilize the latest Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to more accurately map trail systems within the City’s parks and greenspaces – enhancing maintenance management, work prioritization, and project planning for business operations, and providing information access and navigation for parkgoers,” said Seattle Parks staffers Amir Williams and Jordan Ng. “Working closely with the Trails team on the Trails Interactive Public Map project has been a great experience especially with the collaboration between both natural area stewardship/management and IT GIS application development; this project really highlights SPR’s increasing usage of interactive GIS tools to not only help build upon the department’s data-driven decision-making efforts, but also bring live information to communities.”
Boasting over 485 parks, Seattle is a paradise for those who love the outdoors. Whether seeking a tranquil spot in Discovery Park or a fun afternoon at Gas Works Park, each green space offers its unique charm. Now, navigating these gems is even simpler. Through the updated platform, visitors can effortlessly find park maps, amenities, and activity details, ensuring no hidden trails or picturesque views go undiscovered.
It’s an interactive mobile GIS application for parkgoers to navigate trail systems within the City’s parks and greenspaces features trail locations and routes mapped with improved Global Positioning System (GPS) accuracy.
Park information includes:
- Trail types (arterial, secondary, social, or paved), trail width, length, surface material, canopy coverage.
- Inclined description and grade percentage.
- Signage with SPR Trails contact information, map visuals, and QR codes linking parkgoers directly to the interactive online application.
- Additionally, printable trail maps featuring the QR code will soon be available on the City’s Park webpages and will be placed in Park kiosks. New routes will be added as they become available.
This new option brings a fresh approach to enjoying public parks for residents across Seattle. It’s another way the City is making green spaces not just spots for recreation but true extensions of the community. Whether you’re a seasoned park-goer or gearing up for your first visit, Seattle’s public parks are here to offer memorable outdoor adventures.
Grab a picnic blanket, lace up your walking shoes, and start exploring today! You might just find your new favorite escape without leaving the city.