The City of Seattle

image Thank you Mayor Greg Nickels! The City of Seattle has embraced Microsoft Virtual Earth for their “My Neighborhood” mapping application and WOW – I’ve never seen so much useful data in such a simple format with a map-based interface. You want to talk about a central web site to get some truly local information (if you’re a Seattlite).

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image Check out the list of layers of information being published for public use.

  • Community
    • Cemeteries
    • Farmers Market
    • Food Banks
    • Community Health Centers
    • Public Health Centers
    • Heritage Trees
    • Hospitals
    • Landmarks
    • Libraries
    • Neighborhood Service Centers
    • P-Patches
    • Pet License Sales
    • Public Restrooms
  • Public Safety
    • Fire Hydrants
    • Fire Stations
    • Police Precincts
  • Transportation
    • Motorcycle Parking
    • Park N Ride
    • Traffic Cameras
  • Utilities
    • Transfer Stations
  • Arts and Recreation
    • General Attractions
    • Museums and Galleries
    • Public Art
    • Seattle Center
  • Parks
    • Parks
    • Basketball Courts
    • Boat Launches Ceremonies
    • Children’s Play Areas
    • Community Centers
    • Environmental Learning Centers
    • Fire Pits
    • Fishing
    • Golf Courses
    • Off Leash Areas
    • Picnic Sites
    • Playfields
    • Gardens
    • Beaches
    • Pools
    • Tennis Courts
    • Viewpoints
    • Wading Pools
    • Waterfront
  • Education
    • Elementary Schools
    • Middle Schools
    • High Schools
    • Alternative Schools
    • Higher Education

Whew! That’s quite the list. Just check the box you’re interested in and it will appear on the map. Move your mouse over a particular pushpin to get more information about the respective location. Oh, and don’t miss the list below the map which will re-center the map on a respective location if you click on it or launch you off to a web site if one exists. You can also move the map around to focus on a particular location or enter a specific address to get down to a particular address or select a neighborhood. I can’t stop checking boxes! I’m thirsty for information. Thanks Seattle!

CP