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).

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