Lakewood SW - Mapper Notes
Rich Gaylord - March 2012
Strongly suggest that any one planning on orienteering using the
Lakewood SW to take the time to read these notes prior to participating
in the event. The Lake County Forest Preserve District (LCFPD),
and CAOC, in general reminds everyone that the preserve is open
to all, please respect the space of others using the preserve while
you are enjoying your orienteering experience.
The intent of these notes is to provide details on (1) the specific
mapping standards that are unique to the Lakewood SW orienteering
map; (2) mapping standards that vary accepted orienteering mapping
standards; and (3) cautions that are also unique to orienteering
at Lakewood.
Rootstocks - As a result of a approx 2 meter standard
used there are few rootstocks - brown “X” - that are
mapped. There are exceptions to this standard but they are few.
Of course as the experienced orienteer knows: rootstocks are dynamic
in that they come with storms and go way with old age.
Fallen Trees - Green “x” are for large
significant damaged or dead trees where the roots may, or may not,
still be in the ground.
Boulders - The standard here is .75 meter with
very few exceptions.
Pits - Stone pits:- black “v” - can
be an open dry well or a small ruin of a building foundation below
grade . Earth pits:- brown “v” - are generally sharp
sided hole that have been dug and in many cases are next to a small
knoll of the earth from digging the hole. Water pits:- blue “v“-
are dug for what appears to be watering holes in the horse trail
areas.
Depressions - Small depressions - brown “u”
- are around 3 meters in diameter and .75 meters or more in depth;
can be manmade or natural. Large Depressions - brown contour lines
with brown hatch marks indicating the downward land formed by the
depression - are for larger depression areas that can be manmade
or natural.
Forests: Evergreen (Pine) Plantations: There are
several evergreen plantations or stands throughout the preserve.
As an aide to runability the orienteering map shows the row alignment
for the most of the plantations. There are also some large sections
of woods that are pines without evidence of row plantation these
are noted with the doted - ……. - significant vegetation
boundary. . Deciduous (leafing) Trees: Most of the forested areas
are deciduous. Runability is generally very good. The light green
is still good. The medium green may at times be good; however overall
the area marked will be difficult/slow. The dark green,…well,
avoid. Significant Individual Living Trees: green circles, “o”,
are significant individual live trees that are distinct from other
trees in the general area. Most of these are evergreens. When the
symbol represents a deciduous tree it is significant in its size
- 1.5 meter diameter on trunk -, or large and unusual in shape ,
e.g., a dual trunk:
Open Areas: Open/Open with Scattered Trees: Are
around shelters, buildings and picnic areas mostly located on the
northern sections of the map where the runability is excellent.
Rough Open/Rough Open with Scattered Trees: Typically the rough
open areas: good Runability in Spring less so in Fall due to the
summer growth of grasses.
Cultivated Fields: In the center of the map are
a few connected large sections of open preserve land separated by
narrow forest stands that is leased annually for cultivation. Usage
of the cultivated area, that is, running through or control placement
within, will be a meet-to-meet determination. Early Spring and late
Fall will probably not cause any restrictions but Course Setters
should make inquire on the status on the usage of the area. Mud
and corn stalks left after harvesting can slow running considerably:
when dry and lacking stalks excellent runability. When the area
is restricted, the maps should be produced showing the area as out-of-bounds
- overprinted with red vertical parallel lines.
Trails: Rides/Mowed Trails: The mapping symbol
for a ride - black elongated narrow dashes - is also used for trails
through open areas that are mowed periodically for usage: these
are very noticeable and excellent running trails. A mown “ride”
that connects to a trail - worn evidence on the ground of the trail
- is noted with the appropriate sized trail symbol.
Junk: A black “X” can be a manmade feature: for example
a bench, a birdhouse or even a statue of an elephant. An black “X”
is also the symbol for junk. Junk can be a single piece - an oil
barrel, an old car, - or it can be used to represent a pile of junk.
There are a few gullies that are full of junk that are represented
by multiple Xs. Generally these areas are basically uncrossable.
Wet Areas: The seasonal marshes - symbol: blue
alternating rows of short dashes - during dry times will show evidence
of holding water during wet seasons: Generally the dry area will
be a mostly bare ground, and slightly lower than surround area.
Horse Trail Areas: The area south of Ivanhoe Road
is an areas primarily maintained for equestrian usage. Runners and
walkers are free to share these areas as well. However, bikes are
not allowed on the trails south of Ivanhoe. With very few exceptions,
the trails in the area are large, well maintained with excellent
runability. Also the trails along Ivanhoe and into the fields on
the west of the map north of Ivanhoe are used by equestrians.
CAUTION: The LCFPD has expressed concern about a competing orienteer
startling a horse that could cause an accident/injury to rider,
horse, or orienteer. Most of our experienced runners have participated
in other areas with equestrian riders: Palos, Deer Grove, to name
a couple. Nonetheless, we should all be cautions. Be alert to the
possibility of inadvertently startling horses as you run along trails
or through woods while crossing trails with horses present: slow
down if necessary until you ensure the horse and rider are aware
of your presence. Furthermore, we strongly suggested that orienteers
not have their dog accompany them as they compete.
Fences: CAUTION: Many former farms and individual
large homesteads lands are incorporated to create the Lakewood Preserve
When field checking special attention was made to the mapping of
fences. Especially the ruined fences as they are not always easy
to see and may even be on the ground. Other than the split rail
fences that are maintained by the LCFPD, most of the other crossable
fences do have at least one strand of rusted barbed wire. There
are many fences - uncrossabe/crossable/ruined - on the map. Especially
Orange, Green and Red runners as you plan and run your route from
point-to-point be aware of where the fences are located.
Uncrossable: This symbol is used to where fences
separate an out-of-bounds area from the orienteering area. It is
also used when a fence is considered dangerous due to the fence
construction: four feet or higher and with barbed wire or other
barbs on top. Crossable: Used for the split rail
fences or horse tie-ups, or for still in tact wire fences that border
former farm stead. Ruined: Located long the bounders
of fields, or former farm stead and paralleling some trails. In
the very south of the map just north of Milton Road the former fields/farm
stead boundaries are blurred as the woods have taken over.
Bat Shelter: Adjacent to Shelter E, the shelter
we will be using for the April and November meets this year, is
a shelter that is not accessible to persons; however, that is one
of the highlights of Lakewood. There is a large sign at the site
that offers background on the “Bat Shelter”.
CAUTION (From the LCPFD website): You'll notice there is a second
"picnic shelter" in this area that has been fenced off
to public use - it now serves as a nursery roost for a colony of
Little Brown Bats. Since bats sleep during the day and only emerge
at dusk, chances are good you won't be lucky enough to see one during
your picnic.
If you do encounter a bat on the floor of the shelter or on the
ground, please do not approach or touch it. It is most likely a
baby bat learning to fly and its mother will rescue it. A small
percentage of bats do carry rabies. Do not allow children to play
unattended near the bat shelter. As with all wild animals, do not
ever attempt to approach, feed or touch them - for your safety and
theirs. The bats are accustomed to having people around their resting
spot and will not bother you. Please do the same for them.
Roads: Use CAUTION when crossing any road. Roads
- solid black line or black parallel lines with brown filling -
that are located around the buildings and shelters in the north
section of the map can be crossed safely. Ivanhoe Road that splits
the north from the south sections of the map has limited traffic
but does have a 35 mile speed limit.
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