Environmental Journal
August 2, 2005
If recent news stories about efforts by the state police to use a tiny slice of the Big River Management Area for its new headquarters building have you wondering what exactly is in this 8,600-acre swatch of open space in West Greenwich and Coventry, Cliff Vanover has some answers.
Vanover, through Great Swamp Press in Carolina, has just published a topographic map of hiking trails and old roads within the management area.
Vanover said he literally walked each trail himself and marked the pathways with a global-position device. He imposed the pathways onto maps made with reference to U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps and various local maps and maps on the Rhode Island Geographic Information System.
The map, printed on waterproof paper that folds to pocket size, includes a larger scale image of Carr Pond and the surrounding trails and wetlands.
It is selling for $9.95 at various outdoor stores around the state.
Vanover, of Charlestown, has previously published a trail book for the North South Trail along the Connecticut border, and individual maps of the Arcadia Management Area, South County bikeways, Long and Ell Ponds, Pachaug State Forest and Carolina/ Burlingame.
The Environmental Journal is a listing of brief news items about the actions of individuals, organizations and businesses that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the landscape that surrounds us. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact environment reporter Peter B. Lord at (401) 277-8036, by e-mail at plord@projo.com, or by writing him, care of The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.