Project Outline and Methods

Project Objectives: 
The goals of our service learning project was to map the Leddy Park trail network, identify natural areas of significance, develop an inventory of plants and wildlife, and tell the story of the park from a natural perspective via a blog or online component.

Project Methods:

Week of November 6th, 2012: Our group went to Leddy Park and observed the area as we walked on the trail network. Tree and woody species were identified and recorded; avian and wildlife species were also identified. While walking the trails, a Garmin GPS system was used to map exact locations and lengths of the trail system. Once that was done, we decided to measure out a few plots and identify the woody species within those plots. There are a few different types of natural communities that we determined to be present in Leddy Park (see maps section). Leddy Park has a slew of recreational areas such as a baseball field, tennis courts, racquet ball and an ice skating rink. We met with our contact person, Dan Cahill on this day. He was our Burlington Parks and Recreation liezon who facilitated the goals of our project. Dan gave us reference information about the parks history along with work done by other groups of which we were asked to expand and modernize. 

Week of November 13th, 2012: All of the data was complied and a plan was made as to what we wanted our blog to represent. Tasks were divided and data analysis began. Research on species identified on November 6 (plant and wildlife) was conducted; then computer program NE Wild, which compares inputted habitat characteristics to habitat requirements of New England bird and wildlife species, was used to determine wildlife and bird species that may inhabit Leddy Park. Further research was then done on these new found species. Our maps were also created during this meeting time. 

Week of November 27th, 2012: This was our second day of group data analysis and group organization. Blog postings, data analysis, and individual work conducted between group meetings was edited and discussed. The blog page layout and design was edited to make it more appealing and easier to navigate. Pictures and visuals were also added to make the blog site more appealing to its audience (the public). The remaining work was then divided amongst group members to prepare for our presentation to the Friends of Leddy Park (a citizen run group with intrest in the preservation and future of Leddy Park).

We presented our blog to The Friends of Leddy Park and Dan Cahill on November 29th, 2012, at the Leddy Park Arena. All of our findings and research was presented and opened up for discussion. The objective of this was to allow The Friends of Leddy Park along with Dan to see the progress we had made to make sure that the information displayed on the blog was what they envisioned when this project was created. It was determined that once our group finished with the objectives of our assignment the blog would be turned over to The Friends of Leddy Park and the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department. The blog will provide an avenue for both parties to inform the public about Leddy Park's history, current ecological status and significance, and finally a reference for future park research and management practices in a modern and easily accessible manner. It is our hope as a group that the blog will continue to grow and be a useful tool for both The Friends of Leddy Park and the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department.