In planning my next visit to UMore Park this Thursday, I will be going back to Rosemount to conduct an interview and tour with the park's program director, Steven Lott. Touring the property with someone more familiar with it should be helpful in gaining insight into the best locations to document audio and visuals. In accordance with rules of the park, as a visitor to the property I am expected to check into the Administration Building and out when I leave, ensuring that my visit does not disrupt any research activities or University contractors as well as to ensure my personal safety. I am not allowed to venture off the roads, whether paved or gravel, throughout the property. The exception would be the Vermillion Highlands property where I would be able to hike or walk on the Lone Rock Trail.
Given the nearer term changes that may occur in the following areas of the property, I will likely try to capture some photos and sounds in the following potential locations:
Wind Turbine site - located in the eastern portion of the property, this site will soon see activity with preparation for the construction of the 2.5 megawatt Wind Turbine for research and education. Upcoming activities will include preparing the road so that component parts can be delivered, construction of the foundation for the turbine, etc. Construction is anticipated to conclude in August.
Ballfield site - the University transferred approximately 27.5 acres of land located adjacent to the southwest corner of the DCTC property to the City of Rosemount as a parkland pre-dedication, meeting state requirements as UMore Park is developed. The land is anticipated to be developed in the relatively near future into baseball and softball fields for children, youth and adult play.
UMore Park mining area - located on the western edge of the UMore Park property, changes in the 1,722 acre UMore Park mining area are anticipated as early as next spring, following the appropriate ordinance and permitting processes undertaken by the University's mining partner, Dakota Aggregates.
Vermillion Highlands - the 2, 822-acre Vermillion Highlands: A Research, Recreation and Wildlife Management Area to the south of UMore Park is designated by legislation as a natural area in perpetuity. The Trail Head provides access to the Lone Rock Trail.
Looking forward to seeing what insight Steven has on the property and what else I can capture on Thursday!
Using UMore's numbered points on the map for your decibel readings produces a good baseline. Good idea! Also, your targeted selection of the above locations is solid. Perhaps one key is to have a sense of how the Vermillion Highlands, as a designated natural area, is affected by development. Therefore, having sound readings and photos on the trailhead and trail inside the highlands could be ideal for the purposes of this project as it helps later generations of students chronicle the changes.