The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a long-standing tradition of providing quality service in protecting, maintaining, and enhancing our nation's natural resources. City or farm, homestead or condominium, the NRCS takes pride in meeting the needs of all Americans regardless of where they may live. Recently, the agency has embarked on an urban initiative to ensure that the nation's citizens have access to and can take advantage of the technical assistance that it offers. The urban initiative is just one way in which the agency will remain responsive to all individuals, groups and communities throughout the country.

Before selecting New York City as a pilot for the agency's urban initiative, the questions, "Where to begin, and what services to provide?", had to be addressed. Representatives from the NRCS began by meeting and talking with community leaders, non-profit organizations, city agencies, and elected officials. From these initial meetings the agency ascertained what the local needs, issues, and concerns were. Throughout the process the agency stayed focused on its commitment to build a strong and lasting local partnership through effective communication. A consensus was reached by all partners that a comprehensive urban soil survey was needed that addressed the unique characteristics of urban soils as well as the specialized demands of urban customers. A soil survey project area was selected in South Latourette Park to demonstrate NRCS soil survey products for park land and open land in urban settings.

The soil survey was the first step in providing the resulting base line information for use by natural resources planners and managers. Not only was this the first highly valued product for the people of New York, it was also one of the first examples in the country by NRCS soil scientists providing detailed soil series information for human-modified soils. The data published in this soil survey provides technical guidance for future land use decisions and serves as an educational tool. The soil survey demonstrates a nontraditional format and language that is designed to be more user-friendly than traditional soil surveys have been. This soil survey format is a model for future urban soil survey, some of which will contain detailed mapping of residential areas. Countless numbers of individuals throughout the years will use the information contained in this document. Community involvement and partnerships were essential in the framing of this document, guaranteeing that local needs would be met in a responsive and responsible fashion.

Richard D. Swenson John A. Bricker

State Conservationist Urban program Manager

Natural Resources Natural Resources

Conservation Service Conservation Service