When Parker Jones first explored Poly Canyon as a freshman, he did not anticipate creating an app.
“I just remember shining my flashlight and looking at these structures and being sort of amazed,” Jones said about stargazing in Poly Canyon with his orientation group.
Following that night, he returned to the canyon often and took on a personal project photographing every structure to make a map of Poly Canyon, the software engineering sophomore said.
The project evolved into an app, Poly Canyon, which Jones completed last spring.
The free app has over 1,000 downloads since Jones launched it in September 2024, and is available for Android and Apple devices, Jones said. Users can view an interactive map of the region, learn about the history of each structure and see photos.
Established in 1964, Poly Canyon serves as the site for Cal Poly’s annual Design Village competition hosted by the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED). Commonly referred to as “architecture graveyard,” by students, Poly Canyon features student-built structures from past Design Village competitions, 31 of which are featured on Jones’ app.
“For me, it’s really a classic example of ‘Learn By Doing,’ and it’s something that made me really not just believe in the words, but see what they meant,” Jones said.
His biggest challenge was researching the history of the structures because of contradicting historical accounts.
“In general, trying to tell a story like this is a little hard because you’re bound to get things wrong,” Jones said. “I always try to update [the app] when I get new information.”
Last spring, he reached out to CAED Interim Dean Kevin Dong, who connected him with architecture professor Danny Wills. Wills helped Jones compile information for each structure on the app.
Jones also updated the Poly Canyon website with in-depth research and photos.
“It’s been a real pleasure working with Parker,” Dong said. “The passion he brings to the project and what he’s done is really amazing.”
Dong said the Poly Canyon app has helped kickstart the college’s fundraising efforts to revive the canyon and one day bring back the caretaker program. The program, which began in 1973, allowed students to live in Poly Canyon and maintain the structures and trails, until the program ended in 2011 due to budget cuts.
After the caretaker program ended, Dong said vandalism and damage in the canyon became more frequent. Now, students commonly refer to the canyon as “architecture graveyard.”
“The place does feel like a graveyard right now, but I don’t call it that in any of my work because it kind of gives the impression that it’s a place that is not being maintained,” Jones said. “And the goal with this project, and a lot of the surrounding work, is to maintain it and bring it back to life.”
Dong and Jones are working with Natasha Montazeri, the senior director of development for CAED. Montazeri leads fundraising campaigns for the college.
“I just saw a huge potential for what the canyon could be with a little bit of investment,” Montazeri said.
With Montazeri’s encouragement, Jones spoke at two alumni donor events earlier this year. He also helped create a video about the history of the caretaker program to show potential donors after his presentations, he said.
“[Jones] speaks with genuine enthusiasm about the canyon, and that resonates with people,” Montazeri said. “It definitely resonated with me.”
The college is in the process of estimating the budget to bring caretakers back, and Montazeri said several donors are interested in supporting the program.
“We really appreciate Parker’s help with this, and I hope when we finally do get it built and get students living out there,” Montazeri said.
