Bob Spots a Drone Survey Team at Centennial Park

You never know what you’ll stumble across during a casual walk in the park — especially if the park happens to be under a flight path. Centennial Park, nestled just west of Toronto Pearson Airport, is normally known for picnics, baseball, and the occasional soccer tournament. But on this chilly spring morning, Bob spotted something that looked more like a science fiction scene than a stroll in the park: a drone survey team at work.

At first glance, it looked like a giant robotic spider resting on the grass — four arms, black carbon fiber, serious equipment. No propellers spinning yet, but you could tell this wasn’t some backyard drone enthusiast. These folks meant business.

Bob, ever the curious citizen photographer, wandered a bit closer and struck up a conversation.

Turns out the team was conducting a topographic survey of the park. They were mapping the terrain using a high-resolution drone equipped with LiDAR (that's Light Detection and Ranging, Bob learned — kind of like radar, but with lasers). The data would be used for planning and development purposes, possibly tied to drainage systems, trail work, or future park improvements. Given the size and accuracy of the setup, this wasn’t just hobbyist gear — it was serious commercial surveying equipment.

Bob asked if it was okay to take a few photos, and the team gave a thumbs-up — as long as he didn’t cross into their safety zone. Fair enough.

While they continued prepping the drone, another team member was setting up a tall tripod-mounted GPS receiver nearby, part of their ground control system. The whole operation was precise and professional. Bob was impressed by how seamless and quiet the process was — high-tech, but low drama.

What fascinated Bob the most was how casually this futuristic scene blended into an ordinary park. There were geese off in the distance, a few joggers running past, and here in the middle — a team quietly scanning the Earth from the sky.

So next time you're in the park and hear a buzz overhead, it might not just be a bee. It could be the future of surveying at work — and Bob might already be talking to them.