Several types of maps are used in developing hiking, conservation, and open space plans. This page provides a brief overview of the most important resources that are available to the public.
GPS Apps
See our GPS Apps page.
Mass Mapper
Mass Mapper is an interactive map that allows users to:
- Zoom in on a specific part of town
- Analyze based on a large number of layers, such as land usage, conservation, infrastructure, political and cultural resources
- While the maps cannot show property lines over some of the layers, by arranging the scope of the map first, and then selecting layers, it is possible to analyze a specific part of town or even a specific parcel to see how it has been coded
- The data behind the maps comes from many different sources. For example the town assessors code land use and provide information on tax parcels.
Example: Using Map Mapper to View Open Space
- Click on Conservation, Open Space
- Then click on Open space Site Labels to see the name of the parcels
- The following image shows the map of Princeton with Open Space and labels (admittedly hard to read), and is color coded to differentiate, for example between DCR wetlands (blue), DCR parks (green), land protected by conservation organizations like Massachusetts Audubon Society and Princeton Land Trust (pink) and others.
Example: Using Map Mapper for a More General Analysis of Land Use
- Select an area of town and click on Physical Resource and Land Use
- The following image shows a view of the center of Princeton and the legend indicates where there is Forest, Water, Open land, residential, wetlands, etc.
- To view an analysis of forest land in more detail, click on Physical Resources and Prime Forest Land
Mass Interactive Property Map
Mass Interactive Property Map shows property lines and allows a query into the ownership details of each parcel. It provides the easiest way to look up ownership information for a tax parcel.
- From the initial view of the map, navigate to the area of town of interest
- Then click on a parcel to see the ownership information, including the address, acreage and valuation