Introduction to GIS for Park Asset Management

Wednesday, September 30 from 1:15 PM - 1:40 PM EST

Exhibit Hall: Speed Sessions Section B (Booth #246)

Session Type: 20-Minute Speed Session

Topic(s):
Conservation, Environmental Resilience, Operations and Maintenance, Planning and Design

Description:
What is Geographic Information Systems (GIS), what can it do, and how can a basic understanding of spatial mapping immediately benefit your role? Join us for an essential session designed to lower the bar of entry into the world of GIS. We will unpack the foundational principles and key terminology of spatial mapping, exploring the platforms and practical applications relevant to park professionals. From defining asset mapping to understanding how to analyze park access equality, this session demonstrates how spatial data is an invaluable tool for every land manager. We will explore how agencies — from small municipalities to major land management districts— use GIS to: (1) Understand their land better (property bounds, resource locations). (2) Document and track assets (benches, shelters, trails). (3) Assess asset condition (surface reports, infrastructure health). (4) Optimize service delivery (maintenance routes, operational efficiency). Focusing on beginner skills and actionable ideas, you will leave with a clear understanding of how adopting a spatial asset management approach can save your agency time, money and administrative headache by properly documenting and analyzing your park infrastructure.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will understand GIS (Geographic Information Systems), its meaning and how it is used in park agencies.

2. Attendees will learn about points, lines, polygons and feature layers, and how they relate to park assets we all steward.

3. Attendees will ideate best cases for geospatial mapping in their park and trail systems, saving time and money and ensuring safety.

This session will be pre-recorded and available on-demand via the NRPA app as part of the 2026 NRPA Virtual Conference.

Speaker(s):
Mitchell Fransen