Morro Bay Boardwalk Mapping

Winter 2013

Prepared for:Morro Bay National Estuary Program & Morro Bay Natural History Museum

Prepared by:Matt Kawashima, John Ho, Brandon Brown, and Brian Del Rosario

Abstract

Morro Bay California and Los Osos California are located in western San Luis Obispo

County. The region contains a wide variety of recreational trails that are popular amongst both

residents and visitors. Many of these trails have undergone recent renovations such as inclusion

of ADA accessible boardwalk and these changes haven’t been reflected on maps distributed by

different agencies. The Morro Bay National Estuary Program and the Morro Bay Natural History

Museum hoped to obtain updated maps with these recent changed reflected.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) was utilized in developing maps showcasing

trails and specific features on each trail. The GIS allowed the project team to compile a large

amount of information that could be utilized now and easily modified in the future. The

following report describes the methods and process utilized in mapping out recreational trails

and boardwalks in Morro Bay and Los Osos California.

Acknowledgements

The team would first like to thank Professor David Yun for providing valuable guidance,

support, and assistance in the completion of this project. We would also like to thank Annie

Gillespie of the Morro Bay National Estuary Program for providing us the opportunity to work

on this project and meeting up with our group to discuss and provide additional guidance.

Table of Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..1

Objectives…………………………………………………………………………………………2

Methodology……………………………………………………………………………………...3

Data Collection……………………………………………………………………………3

Data Analysis……………………………………………………………………………...4

Results……………………………………………………………………………………………..6

Constraints & Challenges………………………………………………………………………..10

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….......………..11

Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………12

Overall Context Map……………………………………………………………………..13

Morro Bay Trails…………………………………………………………………………14

Harborwalk…………………………………………………………..…………..15

Black Hill………………………………………………………………………...16

Heron Rookery to Museum……………………………………………………....17

Marina Peninsula…………………………………………..…..... ……………...18

Los Osos Trails…………………………………………………………………………..19

Elfin Forest……………………………………………………………………….20

Sweet Springs…………………………………………………………………….21

Los Osos Oaks State Reserve……………………………………………………22

Introduction

During the Winter 2013 quarter at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis

Obispo, our group of four students worked on mapping and recording the locations of

boardwalks and trails in Morro Bay and Los Osos, California. There were existing, but outdated,

maps that needed to be corrected and updated with current features. Visitors of Morro Bay

complained that the old maps did not provide the information they wanted. The previous maps

were missing information regarding access, parking, restrooms, benches, and locations of

viewpoints. Using a TOPCON GPS unit for field mapping and ArcMap 10.1 for GIS, interactive

digital maps were produced.

1

Objectives

The primary goal of this project was to utilize GIS and related tools to create printable as

well as digital maps of popular recreational trails and boardwalks in Morro Bay and Los Osos.

The maps would be available for the public’s use and reference, in order to identify the location

of trails and the specific amenities found at each. Additionally, an interactive map showcasing

the specific features found on each trail was created. The interactive map would contain

hyperlinked images of features.

Work Scope:

Collect field data of various recreational trails in Morro Bay and Los Osos

Take photos of trail views to be hyperlinked from the interactive map

Map key features and amenities along the trail including benches, bike racks, restrooms,

and parking, and information signage.

Use ArcMap 10.1 to georeference data

Create two large extent maps, one of Morro Bay, and one of Los Osos

Create individual maps of each trail showing amenities and views (hyperlinked photos)

2

Methodology

Developing and completing the maps was a two part process; collecting data from the field and

digital analysis of the data. The following sections describe the methods and workflow involved

in both of these processes.

Step 1: Data Collection

1. Collect GPS point data of trails and Boardwalks

2. Import GPS data from device to ArcMap Desktop

After the project was assigned, two of the four team members went to the NRES

equipment department to check out TOPCON GPS units. Once GPS units were acquired, the

team met up in a staff parking lot at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo to travel to the

project site. Before they left, the team dropped test points in the parking lot to familiarize

themselves with the GPS units while testing the GPS’s hardware. On day one of data collection

the team ran into a hardware malfunction in one of the units, so on day one the team stuck

together. The project sites are located at various locations throughout Morro Bay. The first sites

the team visited were the “Harborwalk” and Coleman Park. The four members split up the duties

of collecting and recording data. Data collection out in the field consisted of a team member

operating a GPS unit, a team member recording notes, and the rest of the team observed.

Significant objects were noted like benches, bathrooms, handicap access, notable signs, bike and

car parking. That process was repeated multiple times over the span of a few weeks to collect all

of the data for the other trails. Trails visited in Morro Bay include the Harbor walk, Heron

Rookery Natural Preserve Trail, Black Hill, Elfin Forest Trail, Sweet Springs, and the Morro

3

Estuary Natural Preserve, the Marina Peninsula Trail and Los Osos State Reserve. After all data

was collected, the team used ArcGIS 10.1 to analyze and manipulate the data.

Step 2: Data Analysis

1. Digitize trails based on GPS point data

2. Create individual shapefiles for specific features of the trails such as bathrooms, parking,

and benches

3. Hyperlink images to georeferenced points

Upon collecting all the necessary data in the field, these points were imported into

ArcGIS 10.1 as point data, making sure to use the correct coordinate system for the general area.

Using the notes taken at the project sites, relevant points were labeled with their corresponding

features. A new layer for each trail was then created. Each layer was essentially the connected

point data that made it easier to visualize the course of the trails. To symbolize the different

features found at each trail, new shapefiles were created that corresponded to the various

amenities, such as bathrooms, benches, parking, and bike racks. Once all trails were

appropriately symbolized and labeled, several maps were made. Two index maps were made to

cover the overall area, accompanied by the individual maps of each trial.

The photographs taken out in the field were downloaded onto a hard drive to be

hyperlinked to the specific point features. Additionally, points were linked to each point to be

accessed using the html popup tool in ARCMap. Accomplishing this was done by creating new

text fields for each feature layer and adding the location of the image on the drive in the

statement below:

<img src='LOCATION OF IMAGE ON DRIVE' width='250' />

4

We then went into the layer properties -> HTML Popup tab -> clicked display HTML

formatting as a table of the visible fields. Once this was done, the html popup tool would bring

up the single image with the other fields. It was later discovered that this link is easily broken

when the image is stored on the computer or external hard drive due to the image location

changing as it goes from one computer to another. This problem was resolved but uploading the

images to the image sharing website, Flickr. Once the images were posted online where the

image location would remain stable, the image urls were placed in the fields instead of the

statement listed above. This then linked to the image on Flickr. During this process, images were

hyperlinked with the same url.

Once all trails were digitized and hyperlinked, the Merge tool was used in ArcMap. This

merge was used for each of the trails creating a single feature class for the trails. “TrailName”

and “SurfaceType” fields were created for the new feature class. Next, the Field calculator tool

was used to designate the specific trail each section of the Polyline. This then allowed for trails

to be designated by name and the surface of each section on the trail.

5

Results

The following maps are the final products developed by the team. To see the formatted maps

presented to the Morro Bay National Estuary Program.

Morro Bay Trails

The following index map shows all trails that were mapped in Morro Bay and the

location of trails within the community. The trails in Morro Bay include the Harborwalk, Black

Hill, Marina Peninsula, and the Heron Rookery to the Museum.

Harborwalk

The Harborwalk was the first trail the team mapped. A number of features can be found

along the boardwalk including bathrooms and showers, benches, bike racks, and plenty of

parking. The GPS data was utilized identify the specific locations of the numerous amenities

found on and along the boardwalk.

Black Hill

The Black Hill trail has limited parking at the trailhead as well as an info sign. While the

trail is relatively short it also has a steady elevation gain until reaching the top by a rock path to a

beautiful view of estuary and watershed. The trail’s entrance is through Morro Bay State Park.

Scenic views and vistas overlooking all of Morro Bay are found all along the trail. A picture was

taken at a good viewpoint and at the peak as well. Visitors must note that there is no bike access

on Black Hill.

6

Heron Rookery to Museum

This trail begins just north of the Morro Bay Natural History Museum at the Heron

Rookery. It is a quick walk from the Marina Trail and runs along Morro Bay all the way to the

Morro Bay Natural History Museum. Features on this trail included a restroom found at the

museum, parking, and an info sign at the northern end of the trail. This info sign is located right

next to the Heron Rookery and the trail runs along a eucalyptus stand.

Marina Peninsula

The Marina trail has the newest boardwalk and was one of the trails the team was asked

to focus on. The trail features two benches, nearby parking and scenic views toward Morro Rock,

Morro Bay, and the estuary. Although the trail isn’t covered in thick vegetation the GPS unit was

a necessity because aerial imagery of the trail doesn't show the recent development on the

boardwalk. This trail is wheelchair accessible, and even though there is a bike rack, bikes are not

allowed.

Los Osos Trails

The following index map trails that were mapped in the Los Osos area. These trails

include the Elfin Forest, Sweet Springs, and the Los Osos Oaks State Park Reserve.

Elfin Forest

Mapping the Elfin Forest boardwalk and trails was one of the most time consuming and

intensive effort for the team. The trail system here included a number of forks which resulted in

backtracking to map different paths. This trail also included numerous amenities such as

benches, viewpoints, parking. A single bicycle rack was found near the trailhead and parking on

7

16th Street. Parking and trailheads can be found on every street from 11th-17th, but the main

parking is found on 16th Street. While collecting the GPS data, points located on the boardwalk

were differentiated from points collected on dirt trails. This data allowed the two different trial

types to be differentiated and digitized separately. The high resolution aerial image confirmed

the location of the boardwalk but the GPS data collection was essential for a large portion of the

trail covered by dense vegetation.

Sweet Springs

Due to the short length of the trail, collecting GPS data from this trail was easy and

completed in about thirty minutes. Features at Sweet Springs include benches and a scenic view

towards Morro Rock and information signage. The short trail winds through eucalyptus groves

and crosses over freshwater ponds and saltwater marsh with a series of small bridges. Due to the

thick vegetation, the GPS unit was a necessity here.

Los Osos Oaks State Reserve

Perhaps the most tedious trail to map was the the Los Osos Oaks State Reserve; a total of

520 different points were mapped. The Los Osos Oaks State Reserve is located off of Los Osos

Valley Road and has a small parking lot. The GPS unit was essential here more than any other

trail due to the dense vegetation preventing the team from utilizing aerial imagery to assist in

digitizing the trail. There were three different trail loops that went through the reserve: the

Chumash Loop, the Los Osos Creek Loop, and the Oak View Loop. Group members walked all

three loops in their entirety to get sufficient GPS point data, which could be used to make

accurate maps for the community. Adding to the difficulty of mapping this area, was the fact

8

that there were countless forks in the main trails. These forks veered off in every direction and

made the process exceedingly time consuming.

9

Constraints & Challenges

A number of challenges were encountered over the course of the project. The biggest

challenge was the lack of experience using GPS. Prior to this project, none of the team members

had prior experience working with GPS units. Prior to the field visits, the team practiced using

the GPS units. This pushed the team’s initial planned field visit back a week because the two

team members with access to the GPS were not adequately acquainted and familiar with the

units. Even after the team learned how to use the GPS units, additional problems were

encountered. On the first field visit, the team met on campus and prepared to head out to Morro

Bay only to find one of the GPS units failing to start or turn on. A similar situation happened

before the second field visit with the second GPS unit functioning differently than it previously

had and having difficulty turning on.

10

Conclusion

This project proved to be a very fun and interactive way of gaining experience using GIS.

This project allowed us to explore the realm of GIS and map making. A large amount was

learned through trial and error. Working as a team required extensive collaboration in updating

and modifying data.

The project also provided the team an opportunity to gain experience using GPS. As

mentioned, the team didn’t have any prior experience using GPS. The team was forced to learn

how to use GPS quickly due to the time constraint on the project. Additionally, the project taught

the team the importance of preparation and planning before jumping into the field; a lesson

learned the hard way after a GPS unit failed to work on the first field visit.

The team also gained valuable experience in mapmaking and cartography. The added

pressure and expectation of delivering a professional final product to a professional agency

forced the team to produce a high quality product that looked professional. Working with a real-

world agency compared to a conceptual school project was a tremendous experience because the

final product is something that could be published and distributed to the public or utilized by a

professional agency. From working on a deadline to preparing a high quality final product and all

the experiences in between, working on this project was a valuable experience for the team.

11

Appendix

The following maps are the final work products produced by the team. Seven individual

trail maps were created which include the location of the features on the trail. Two context maps

were also created, one with the four trails in Morro Bay and one with the three trails in Los Osos.

Finally, an overall context maps for all trails in the area was created. This map featured the

location of parking.

12

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Harborwalk

Black Hill

Heron Rookery to Museum

Marina Peninsula

Elfin Forest

Sweet Springs

Los Osos Oaks

National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA,METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC

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National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA,ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, iPC

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Morro Bay Trails

Black Hill TrailHarborwalkHeron Rookery to Museum TrailMarina Peninsula Trail

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I0 0.075 0.150.0375

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Harborwalk

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Harborwalk

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I0 0.025 0.050.0125 Miles

Black Hill

Æü ParkingScenic PointsBlack Hill Trail

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I0 0.05 0.10.025

Miles

Heron Rookery to Museum Trail

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Heron Rookery to Museum Trail

17

Marina Peninsula TrailI0 0.085 0.170.0425 Miles

Bathroom©̈ Bike RackÆü Parking

Scenic PointsÆI Bench

Marina BoardwalkMarinaTrail

18

National Geographic, Esri, DeLorme, NAVTEQ, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN,GEBCO, NOAA, iPC

Los Osos TrailsI

Elfin Forest TrailSweet Springs TrailLos Osos Oaks Trail

0 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.60.2Miles

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Elfin Forest

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Los Osos Oaks Reserve TrailsI0 0.1 0.20.05 Miles

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Los Osos Oaks Trail

22