Accessing forested trails is a particular interest of mine. Learning about a new accessable trail encourages my participation in OSM. Discovering a couple “secret trails,” by studying and updating maps, has given me new - and especially enjoyable - local recreation areas. In order to record more GPX tracks in wooded areas, I need some verification that the lands are publicly accessable.

The city government holds many information records about the land, and I asked their advice today. As I expected, several of the first people that I met did not fully understand my interest in exploring wooded areas, but they kept directing me toward more knowledgable people: from City Hall, to Public Works, to Engineering, to the GIS Coordinator.

Finally, in the small office of another map enthusiast, the city maps of land ownership were examined, including a two hundred page online PDF of land lots made public after being abandoned by their owners. I would never had thought to look there.

This information will keep me very much engaged with mapping the woods in my area. I recommend asking for help to all other OSM mappers. I found people in these city offices understanding of a desire to explore natural areas, and I never found myself defending my interest in learning about public spaces.

I appreciate the patience everyone gave me. Great seeing an actual office where GIS is used in city planning.