Maps have helped people navigate and understand their surroundings for thousands of years, and technology has only increased ways to do that. The City’s online Map Gallery features a variety of interactive tools designed to connect people, locations, and data in a visually appealing and user-friendly platform.
These maps are developed using GIS (geographic information system), a computerized tool that analyzes and shows data related to physical locations. Subject matter ranges from construction projects and private developments to housing statistics, historic aerials, and more.
User-Friendly Applications
Many of the GIS applications available in the City’s website Map Gallery are tailored to everyday needs. Want to check your recycling schedule or find the nearest park with pickleball courts? The Park Finder tool and Recycling Schedules app provide instant access to the information you need. For those looking to use public transportation, the Metro Transit Routes app includes a trip planner. You can even view the areas in town where buckthorn abatement has taken place.
Personalized Exploration
The recently launched Golden Map helps users explore, customize, and print maps that reflect their unique interests and needs. For example, users can toggle between various map layers, including park assets, contour lines, zoning, and even floodplain models. This means if you’re planning a project, you can quickly confirm the zoning and get a sense of the actual elevation change or whether you might be in the floodplain.On the Golden Map you can mark points of interests or routes for walking or biking. After crafting your ideal map, you can print your final creation for reference or sharing.
As the City continues to develop and enhance its Map Gallery, resident feedback is invaluable. Comments and suggestions can be directed to Heather Hegi, the City's GIS specialist, at hhegi@goldenvalleymn.gov.
Learn more on the City's Location & Maps web page.