16-29 Geospatial Assessment of Hiking Trail Health in High Rock Park

Session: From Thin Section to Outcrop: Exploration of Undergraduate Research (Posters)

Presenting Author:

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Abstract:

High Rock Park in Staten Island features complex topography and diverse soil compositions that make its trail network highly susceptible to erosion. This research utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework to conduct a geospatial assessment of erosion risk, aiming to transition park management from reactive repairs to proactive modeling. Using ArcGIS Pro, the study integrated data on slope gradient, soil erodibility (K-Factors), and vegetation cover to generate a composite risk model. The results indicate that while 65% of the network traverses low-risk terrain, specific hotspots exist where hydrologic force converges with unstable soils. Specifically, the Northwestern Loop faces compound hazards due to a sediment transport feedback loop, where runoff from higher elevations deposits unstable wash onto the trails below. Additionally, trails in the Southern Terminus exhibit a “chute” effect, where alignments parallel to the slope facilitate scouring. This assessment recommends targeted reinforcement in these high-risk zones to mitigate the effects of sediment accumulation and hydrologic runoff.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 2, 2026

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