Want to keep active this summer? Mindfulness, nature and heritage walks added to free Love Exploring app

A free interactive app which brings virtual fairies, dinosaurs, and mini beasts to life in the Borough's parks is expanding its offer to help people learn more about local history and improve their health and wellbeing.

The Love Exploring App has created virtual adventures for thousands of residents and visitors since it was launched across Stockton-on-Tees last year.

By using the app's virtual quizzes, games and the latest augmented reality technology, people are encouraged to explore the Borough's parks, enjoying the fresh air, and increasing their steps.

Following the success of themes popular with children and families, the app will now include new walking trails to encourage people to step outside this summer and learn more about their local area or find time to experience the positive, mindful effects of walking in nature.

The app works in five of the Borough's parks and a heritage walk is available in Stockton Town Centre.

Where can I enjoy the trails this summer and what can I expect?

Preston Park's Mindfulness Trail: Preston Park Museum and Grounds, Yarm Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 3RH

Explore mindfulness in nature with poetic prompts and guidance as you follow the trail. This is best experienced through headphones.

Heritage Trail: Ropner Park, Hartburn Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 4EF

This trail highlights the original features found in Ropner Park and shows how they have changed over the years. Along the way, you will see and learn about the history of the Ropner Park owl, open-air theatre, park, bandstand, and many other features.

Heritage Trail: Stockton High Street, TS18 1BW

This trail allows you to explore the widest high street in the UK. On the app, you will see historic photographs of buildings that stand before you on the high street, accompanied by facts that appear onscreen.

Discover nature trails: Littleboy Park, Acklam Rd, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 7EH

The trail starts at the main car park then continues past the play area, football pitch, tennis courts and finishing at the bowls club.

Discover nature trails: Billingham Beck Valley Country Park, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, TS23 1PB

This trail allows you to explore the Ecology Park Pond, becks, and woodland.

Discover nature trails: The Grindon Loop: Wynyard Woodland Park, Wynyard, Thorpe Thewles, Stockton-on-Tees TS21 3JG

This trail takes you through woodland and farmland on tracks. On route, you will come across the visitor's centre, bridges, and wildlife ponds.

What do Councillors think?

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "We hope the Love Exploring app will keep people of all ages active across our Borough this summer.

"With fun virtual reality games, quizzes and mapped virtual trails, the app is the perfect tool to discover our beautiful parks.

"New features on the app include a Stockton Town Centre heritage trail where people can absorb facts about the town and some of its landmark buildings.

"Summer is the perfect time to take a walk outside and reconnect with the local area, and the Love Exploring app offers an all-new and exciting way to do this."

We enjoyed the dinosaurs, mini beasts and more! What themes will be running through the summer holidays?

Throughout the summer months, you can enjoy two brand new themes on the Love Exploring app.

Tree Fairies

From 24 July to 13 August, the tree fairy theme will be unlocked. With this theme, you can walk around parks in the local area and point your phone cameras into the green spaces surrounding you to see tree fairies come to life.

Moths and Butterflies

From 14 August until the end of the school summer holidays, you can unlock the moths and butterflies theme at the Borough's parks, where these beautiful creatures with colourful wings can be discovered.

Dinosaurs and Mini Beasts

In addition to the brand-new summer themes, the dinosaur and mini beasts themes can be enjoyed on the app throughout the summer.

I'm interested! What do I need to do to take part?

To take part, search for the 'Love Exploring app' in the Apple or Google Play stores on your phone or tablet and download it for free so the app is ready to use when you get there. You can also download it for free from the Love Exploring website. 

Once you arrive at the park, open the app, and you are ready to follow the mapped virtual trails to rediscover the local area.

Have you heard about the School's Competition?

During the school summer holidays, primary-aged children who attend schools across the Borough will be able to take part in a special Love Exploring competition.

Link your Love Exploring account to your child's school, and there will be prizes to be won!  

The competition will run from 21 July until 3 September. 

How do I find out more everything Love Exploring has to offer?

For more information about the app, upcoming themes and trails, visit our Love Exploring webpage. 

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