Choose either a small city park or a section of a larger park. Areas with many easily identifiable features are best for beginners. By tackling a smaller area, you will not only have your first maps done and ready to use sooner, but you will be able to do a better job of making the map before you tire of the task or run out of time. You can use these maps to refine your mapping skills, to teach others how to map, and to introduce newcomers to basic Orienteering skills long after you and your early recruits seek more challenging areas to use. Most local club maps in this country rely upon US Government Survey maps for their contour base.
USGS maps are available in some bookstores, outdoor stores, and university libraries.
If necessary, take the map to a printer and have it enlarged to an appropriate scale. Remember, no one would even recognize the fact that your map is engineered-perfect. What is important to Orienteers is that all of the features of a map match, i.e., that they relate to each other correctly in direction, distance, and sequence. Once you have completed fieldchecking, draw a clear final copy of your map. Be sure to add a legend, a scale, some information on how to contact your club, and a score card if you wish.