A mobile application for reporting, tracking, and analyzing issues addressed by rangers in parks and open spaces managed by the city of Durango Parks and Recreation.

Background

Open Space rangers are responsible for reporting issues in parks and open spaces within the City of Durango. But recording and tracking issues was difficult; issue information was spread across paper forms, text and email threads, phone calls, and photographs. Issues were frequently under-reported, and resolution efforts were uncoordinated, as a result.

Methods

We developed a mobile reporting framework, using an Airtable database, to support data capture in the field. In concert with project stakeholders, we iterated on the design of a reporting structure that was easy to use. This included developing controlled vocabularies using card sorting techniques, and testing the usability of the design for both rangers in the field and supervisors at their desktop.

One of the card sorting exercises we conducted with a member of the ranger team (at a local brewery). This exercise focused on organizing parks and open space locations.

Results

Rangers are now able to report issues quickly and completely in the field. They can readily track the reported issue, supporting photographs, required actions, and resolution status in one application — and share these records with other rangers and ranger supervisors in real-time. In addition, issues are available for review and analysis, such that, any pertinent trends can be identified and addressed, as needed.

Two screenshots of the mobile Airtable view. The screenshot on the left shows a list of individual records, with their date, location, issue type, and photo. The screenshot on the right shows an open record, with details for issue type, photo, and notes.

Status

A final iteration of the mobile application is currently in use by rangers and ranger supervisors within the city of Durango’s Parks & Recreation department.

The Open Space Ranger reporting application gave our Parks division an innovative reporting process that was a tremendous help. Blue Blaze Research was wonderful to work with. They provided high quality materials to support the work done implementing the program out in the field. The proprietors of Blue Blaze Research are professional and provided tremendous service to dial in the new reporting system to our division’s needs.

Sara humphrey–Parks, open space & Trails supervisor