Connected Sisters Map
An open map of how Sisters actually connects. Every path, sidewalk, crossing, and gap, as shared ground for every other conversation.
01
The problem
Decisions about trails, sidewalks, and crossings in Sisters get made without a shared, current picture of the network. The data lives scattered across agency GIS layers, paper plans, and local knowledge that walks around in people's heads.
When residents and officials are looking at different maps, or no map, conversations about connectivity stall out on whose anecdote wins.
02
Why it matters
A shared map changes the quality of every conversation that follows it. Gaps become visible and specific. Progress becomes measurable. And because the data is open, anyone can build on it, whether that is the city, the school district, or a scout troop.
03
The proposed outcome
A public, open-data map of the complete walking and biking network of Sisters. Every sidewalk, path, trail, and crossing, graded for all-ages comfort, with the gaps and barriers marked plainly, kept current, and free for anyone to use.
04
What we know, and what we don't
What we know
- Public GIS sources from the city, the county, and the Forest Service cover parts of the network, but they disagree at the edges and miss informal connections.
- Grading for all-ages comfort, not just whether a path exists, is what makes a network map useful for decisions.
Still to learn
- Ground truth for every segment, which requires walking and riding all of it.
- The best lightweight way to keep the map current after version one.
05
Community input
Residents are the ground truth. The prototype map will ship with a simple way to say 'this is wrong' or 'you missed one,' and the field-mapping days will be open to anyone with shoes or a bike.
Tell us what we’re missing →06
The prototype
A first interactive map, assembled from public GIS layers plus initial field checks, is in progress now. It will launch clearly labeled as a draft. Publishing an imperfect map for correction beats polishing a private one.
07
How we'll measure it
Open
data license for every layer
Everything the Lab maps gets published for free reuse by anyone, including the city.
3
public GIS sources reconciled so far
City, county, and Forest Service layers disagree at the edges.
08
Timeline
Data assembly
Spring 2026Gather and reconcile the existing public GIS layers for town and the surrounding trails.
Draft prototype map
Summer 2026 · in progressInteractive web map with comfort grading and known gaps marked.
Field-mapping days
Fall 2026Community ground-truthing of every segment, on foot and by bike.
Version 1 release
Winter 2026-27Public launch with open data downloads and a maintenance plan.
09
Next decision
Publish the draft prototype map and schedule the first community field-mapping day.