Dinosaurs set to be released in parks across Leeds

Children are being encouraged to walk amongst dinosaurs this summer across some of Leeds’s most iconic green spaces, thanks to the help of the Love Exploring App.

Leeds City Council are launching the app to help change how people enjoy parks across Leeds for years to come. Utilising augmented reality, the app will bring parks and locations across the city alive, populating them with interactive dinosaurs and walking trails.

Designed for all ages, the Love Exploring app is set to engage adults and children with their local parks and green spaces, inspiring them to get outdoors and be active.

The app has been introduced after city wide research showed that that people want to be active, but environmental barriers such as cost, lack of transport or lack of equipment often gets in the way.

The Love Exploring App will help to tackle these barriers, with the initial roll out taking place in parks located in areas of Leeds where research has shown individuals face more barriers and are more likely to be inactive due to health inequalities.

Free to download and easily accessible to anyone with a smart phone, the Love Exploring app will allow residents to connect in a unique and engaging way with their local green spaces and kickstart a habit of walking that will help them stay active in the long term.

The Dinosaur Safaris will be available from the 23^rd of July at Cross Flatts, Middleton, Gotts and Armley Park and a further four parks as well as the Leeds waterfront, just in time for the summer holidays. With more parks set to be added to help everyone across Leeds discover more of their local outdoor space and to get the entire city active.

Speaking in support of the Love Exploring App, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, said:

“Supporting opportunities for children and young people to lead more active lifestyles is something that we feel really strongly about, and Leeds as a City is doing more than ever to increase opportunities for physical activity”.

“Love Exploring is another innovative example of how we can encourage children and families out into green spaces to be active with friends and family”.

“Following on from the many restrictions placed on people’s lives it will be great to see people out being active and improving their health and wellbeing whilst having fun in local spaces. The Brownlee Foundation are keen to support young people to enjoy more active lives and help them reach their full potential”.

Cllr Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles, said:   

“I am really excited for the launch of the Love Exploring app, not only to use it personally as I explore some of Leeds’s amazing parks, but also for the health benefits it will bring to families across the city. Getting people active and healthy is crucial to tackling health inequalities, especially as we recover from the pandemic.”

Tom Matthews, the creator of the Love Exploring app, said:

“As a father, I am always on the lookout for good activities that we can enjoy as a family.  Parks have so many stories to tell but they aren’t always easy to discover. The Love Exploring app uncovers the stories and then presents them in ways for everyone to enjoy.

"I wanted to ensure that Love Exploring was an app that both children and adults could engage with. Whether you’re a child looking for fun and games such as a treasure hunt or hide and seek, or you’re an adult that simply wants to explore the history of your local park and its nature trails, our app brings the park to life through sounds and games, taking you on a visual and immersive journey - all from the palm of your hand.”

For more information about the Love Exploring app and how you can get involved this summer, please visit https://bit.ly/LoveExploringLeeds.

Full list of parks where the Love Exploring app is initially launching:

• Roundhay Park
• Middleton Park
• Cross Flatts Park
• Bramley Fall Park
• Gotts/Armley Park
• Temple Newsam
• Meanwood Park
• Leeds Waterfront