205 Smart Park, along with a file containing the specifications for a new sign. “It’s like a living inventory,” Fuller added. “We’ve invested in a system that allows these assets to be managed over time.” These detailed maps also aid in emergency response. If a ranger is asked to assist on a search and rescue mission, they can quickly identify where the cliffs, waterfalls, and other potentially dangerous areas of the park are located. “We often find ourselves on a search and rescue in a farflung area of the park,” said Jason Reynolds, a park ranger at South Cumberland State Park. “To help with our response time and our plan of action, we’ve started to use the ArcGIS Field Maps app, in which we’ve preloaded all of our access roads and rescue points.” As the scope of GIS in Tennessee State Parks has widened, so too has understanding of park ecology and inspiration to manage these natural assets better. Rangers and managers can visualize what teams from other parks are working on and hone their own efforts. And leadership has a holistic view of the projects and positive outcomes. “I think our central office is finally seeing, ‘Oh, this is what GIS can do,’” Fuller said. “The office can see the vision Andrew and I have always had.” Safeguarding Habitats and Wildlife The Smart Parks Mapping Hub displays all manner of management practices. Here, the location of game cameras are shown around Long Hunter State Park. (Screenshot courtesy of Tennessee State Parks) conservation efforts,” said Eric Collins, park ranger at Seven Islands State Birding Park. “Using these tools has transformed our approach, making each prescribed fire an efficient and impactful step towards environmental preservation.” A Living History of State Park Assets Fuller, who is responsible for creating and maintaining all state park maps—both paper and digital—says that One Smart Park has been instrumental in helping her keep park information up to date. Although she may not be contacted each time a new trail or splash pad is added to an individual park, GIS lets her see changes in real time. “I can look at One Smart Park and see where the new asset is located because the rangers have already dropped a point,” Fuller said. “Then, I can add it to the park map super easily.” Rangers can track asset conditions to alert managers about assets that require maintenance or repair, such as park signs. If a ranger notices a sign that needs to be replaced, they can capture a photo of it and link it to the sign’s location in One Rangers use One Smart Park to map barriers to wheelchair access and amenities that anyone can enjoy. (Screenshot courtesy of Tennessee State Parks)
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