Principle Regional Planner Kyle Pimental takes a quick break from his camping trip at Pawtuckaway State Park to collect data for the Promoting Outdoor Play! project with his dog Buffett. (SRPC Photo)
Planning

SRPC was recently awarded funding, along with the eight other regional planning commissions, to create a new StoryMap/Online Web Map through its ArcGIS Online platform. This funding was allocated to the RPCs as part of the NH Geodata Portal project, and is a great opportunity for SRPC staff to create new content for project areas not supported by current funding sources.  

As explained on the ArcGIS website, "Story Maps combine authoritative maps with narrative text, images, and multimedia content, and make it easy to harness the power of maps and geography to tell your story." 

Staff met on Wednesday, Oct. 6 to discuss ideas for the map, and important information that could be portrayed through this type of resource. Topic ideas include tracing recycling routes and patterns and highlighting local municipalities who have adapted dining in their downtowns to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Staff will continue to brainstorm ideas and are excited to have the opportunity to create an important new resource on its updated GIS platform.  
Pieces of Interest


Transportation
On Monday, Oct. 5, SRPC staff joined a periodic meeting of Lakes Region Planning Commission and Nashua Regional Planning Commission to discuss Road Surface Management Assessment (RSMS) best practices. Other regional planning commissions were invited to join a well, and Southwest Region Planning Commission (RPC) staff also participated.
RSMS is a program monitored through the Statewide Asset Data Exchange System (SADES) run through the Technology Transfer Center at UNH. The Technology Transfer Center supports RPC efforts to collect data on public infrastructure across the state, and through SADES they provide training and tools for the RPC staff to work with municipal administration and public works employees. RSMS consists of an assessment of town roads and forecasting changes in pavement conditions for years to come, with suggested treatments to maintain those roads.

The meeting allowed staff at Nashua Regional Planning Commission to elaborate on a pilot they are conducting to assess gravel roads. This was useful information to SRPC staff as many of its rural communities have gravel roads, and this may be an area where SRPC collects data in the future.
For more information on SRPC's RSMS program contact Rachel Dewey, data analyst, or Stef Casella, regional planner.

Pieces of Interest
Economic Development
During the week of Oct. 5 five SRPC staff, two UNH students, and an additional volunteer collected data at over 80 sites for the Promoting Outdoor Play! (POP!) project. Building off Pathways to Play, this project allows staff the opportunity to improve upon the regional recreation asset database created and assess and photograph site amenities and specifics.

Once the data collection is complete for the 360 total sites, staff will create an online public resource for residents and visitors, and engage with local partners to promote and publicize this information.

Of SRPC's eighteen communities, ten were visited this week for data collection. To view which sites have been completed naviage to the POP! Map Viewer.

For more information contact Jackson Rand, GIS planner.

 Pieces of Interest

Strafford Regional Planning Commission | 603-994-3500 | srpc@strafford.org| www.strafford.org
October 9, 2020