The hobby? Contributing to OpenStreetMap. I found an app called Street Complete that makes it exceptionally easy, basically it just asks you questions about features along your walking route. Thanks to doing this, I’ve discovered several hidden features of the neighborhood like small public gardens full of herbs, public library boxes, and more.
Doing it also feels constructive, because I know I’m helping build up a resource to challenge Google’s near-monopoly. It’s very satisfying to clear all the dots from the map, and I find myself looking forward to my walks and planning out which streets I’ll walk next.
Happy helping!
I haven’t used it for a few years but a while back I had street complete and went in a road trip visiting family, and I was able to map a big portion of each of their neighborhoods.
It also helped me discover a lot of hidden trails around my own neighborhood and eventually one of my gpx traces ended up marking out previously unmapped path through the woods, that even google does not yet have.
OpenStreetMap is so much better for trails that it’s actually no contest. Plus, the maps can be downloaded offline, so even when you’re out of the cellular service area you can still have full access.
Just today it got me out of a pinch on a very remote trail. I was amazed it even had the trail. Big fan.