MPS is leading a project to provide professional mapping and management plan services to the Friends of Ballard Park. The Friends are a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and maintaining Ballard Park, a wild and natural City of Newport owned open space area of 13 acres.

The First Phase of the project is to prepare a detailed, comprehensive and up-to-date inventory of the Park’s site features, both natural and man-made. These have been captured by a sub-meter GPS ground survey, integration of existing deeds, survey plans, topographic maps, aerial photos and computer mapping. Digital data will be provided to the City of Newport for integration in the City’s developing GIS. In order to enhance public awareness of Ballard Park, the Second Phase of the project will prepare a full-color map of the park showing the trail system and other features. The color map will be integrated in brochures, annual reports, on the world wide web, and as a handout. At the 1st Annual Pumpkin Tour in October, a small trails map was prepared and distributed to over the 2,500 attendees.  

In conjunction with Dr. Numi Mitchell of The Conservation Agency, Phase Three will prepare a management plan. The goals of the plan are to balance the park’s long-term conservation values with short and long-terms recreational, public safety, historic and educational needs.