Forest preserve caters to smart-phone users
Smart-phone users who venture into any of eight Lake County forest preserves will find some old information available in a new format.
What appear to be square blotches of ink designs — think of a Rorschach test — affixed to kiosks and some sign posts are taking directions to another level.
Instead of unfurling a paper map of a given preserve, visitors can get their bearings by scanning a “Trail Map to Go.”
“You take a picture of this with your smart phone, and it will bring up a map of the preserve you're in,” said Tom Hahn, executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserve District. “We're trying them out at eight preserves right now as a test.”
The symbol is known as a QR, or quick response code, which is a bar code used to access information through an application on a smart phone. The information typically is on a website that can be opened on the phone's web browser.
Kara Martin, a marketing specialist with the district, said it's a new technology that is becoming more popular for dispensing information.
Staffers go online, create the code and then add the code image to stickers, for example, that are created in-house. The code includes whatever information officials want to provide.
“I just grabbed the link for each different map, and copied and pasted,” Martin said.
The district no longer prints trail maps, although those posted on its website are printer-friendly. “Trail Maps to Go” is an attempt to provide visitors with access to information on demand.
The QR test locations are at the following preserves: Independence Grove, Wright Woods, Ryerson Welcome Center, Rollins Savanna, Old School Forest Preserve, Van Patten Woods, Lakewood Forest Preserve and Grant Woods.
“You can have a trail map with you no matter what,” said Nan Buckardt, director of environmental education and public affairs. “It's a fairly new kind of application for technology. I think it has huge potential.”
Facts or historical information on a given preserve are other future possibilities.
QR codes link smart-phone users directly to data. Their use is more prevalent in the private sector. The Lake County Forest Preserve District appears to be ahead of the curve in terms of public recreational use, although other entities say they are exploring the possibilities.
“I started to pay attention to the QR codes since late November last year, and it's amazing how many things they're on now,” said Laurie Metanchuk, director of community affairs for the Forest Preserve District of Kane County.
The district eventually will make information regarding its nature programs available via the codes.
“Definitely by fall I want to start incorporating it,” she said.
The Mundelein Park & Recreation District, for example, also is considering placing QR codes on brochures that would link users to its website.
The Lake County Forest Preserve District will be able to track how many people open the QR codes, but is waiting until spring to do so.