Trail analysis and mapping of Harford Glen for resource management and recreational use
Natalie Rymarz
Mentored by Mr. Jaime Alvarez and Mr. Kierran Sutherland
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DE
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Elev.
(ft)
Cond.
Pine Loop
0.23
Good
Easy
Wide
38
Boundary Trail
0.93
Good
Easy
Single
134
Water Trail
1.01
Fair
Mod
Single
102
Plumtree Trail
1.11
Good
Mod
Wide
130
Sommerville
Loop
1.16
Good
Easy
Single
36
Atkisson Trail
1.61
Good
Easy
Wide
148
Timber Trail
1.80
Good
Hard
Single
136
West Side Trail
3.65
Good
Mod
Single
84
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Diff.
Track
Width
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Dist.
(mi)
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Results (cont’d)
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RV
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Harford Glen was established as an environmental
education center for Harford County Public Schools
to educate students and members of the surrounding
community. Beginning in 1990, Harford Glen hosted a
residential program for fifth graders, engaging them in
a wide variety of experimental environmental
activities. A series of trails was established to make
easier use of Harford Glen’s 340 acres of property. As
time passed, the trails became increasingly overgrown
with vegetation and the trail markings became faded.
Additionally, the current trail map is outdated and
inconsistent with trail markings, making it difficult to
navigate through the property. This project goal was
to create a trail map meeting the needs of resource
managers and recreational users.
Map of Harford Glen Trails
ROYAL FERN CT
Introduction
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WINTER SPAN CT
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Methods and Materials
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LEGEND
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Outdoor Classrooms
HG Sidewalks
Pine Loop - Easy
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LA D PLE PL
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MOHSH
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Plumtree Trail - Moderate
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Trail
ER- Difficult
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Timber
At k
Sommerville LoopD -CTEasy
West Side
RD
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Trail - Moderate
TO
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STO
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HG Buildings
Results
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Water Trail - Moderate
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Streams
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The purpose of this study was to construct a map
that would include enough information to make
navigation quick and easy for novice trail navigators.
The map was created to be used as a tool for teachers
that travel to Harford Glen to conduct research with
their classes, and in the curriculum of the residential
program. Surveying and mapping of the trails brought
attention to the immediate need for trail
reconstruction and better resource management. This
study could be replicated using the same methods and
used to update the trail map in the future. If more
time was allotted, additional trail elements and points
would have been recorded and included on the map.
Contours - 20 ft interval
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0.4
Miles
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PL
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0.3
RD
0.2
0.1
0
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LAKE VISTA DR
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Wetland Area
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Roads
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The comprehensive map pictured presents the trails
as recorded in conjunction with the extrapolated layers
found online via Harford County Government. The
contour lines are set to an interval of 20 feet. Roads
are labeled with names and trails, streams, emergency
take-out locations , and outdoor classrooms are
labeled in the legend.
9
CT
Boundary Trail - Easy
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Atkisson Trail - Easy
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Trails
10
Conclusion
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Pier
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7
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HG Parking Lots and Roads
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Table 1: Trail attributes (Dist.=Distance; Cond.=Condition;
Diff.=Difficulty; Elev.=Elevation Range; Mod=Moderate)
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Bridges
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Using the existing maps, the trails at Harford Glen
were surveyed for familiarity. After determining the
inconsistencies and missing directional qualities,
detailed data collection was inventoried. Using
Trimble® TerraSync™, the database with the trail
attributes was constructed and uploaded onto the
Trimble® GeoXT™ GPS. The trail paths were
recorded as lines, and segmented based on the various
changes in trail features, (name, surface type,
condition, width, and difficulty). The map was created
in ArcGIS® by adding a parks and hydrology layer,
roads, contour lines, and GPS data. The trail lines were
edited to reflect a smoother path and the symbology
was changed to reflect the different trail attributes. A
scale, compass, and legend were each included to give
the map directional and comparative qualities.
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Map 1: The above map displays the various trails investigated at Harford Glen Park.
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Acknowledgements
A special thanks to Dianna Kitt for walking the
trails with me, as well as Mrs. Gabriel for her
encouragement and help throughout the year. I
especially want to thank Mr. Alvarez and Mr.
Sutherland for providing their expertise and materials.