City Centre & Parks Digital Trails
Pilot → District-wide rollout
Hereford City Council sought a digital solution to encourage residents, visitors and tourists to explore the city more actively while increasing engagement with parks, cultural attractions and public spaces. The Council wanted to promote physical activity, support tourism and help people discover Hereford's heritage, public art, natural environments and local attractions through engaging self-guided experiences.
A key objective was to create a connected visitor experience linking parks, green spaces and the city centre, encouraging people to walk between locations, increase dwell time and discover places they may not otherwise visit. The Council also required a flexible and sustainable platform that could be easily updated over time while remaining accessible and engaging for users of all ages and abilities.
““The turnaround time between starting the work and getting thousands of people out and about using the app was remarkable. We look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship.” ”
Hereford City Council sought a digital solution that could encourage residents, visitors and tourists to explore the city more actively while increasing engagement with parks, cultural assets and public spaces. The Council wanted a flexible platform capable of promoting physical activity, supporting tourism and helping people discover Hereford's heritage, nature and attractions through self-guided experiences that appealed to a wide range of audiences.
Love Exploring Solution
Following successful delivery in the city centre, councillors approved rollout into additional parks, recognising the platform’s versatility and strong public uptake.
Features Delivered
- Sculpture, heritage, nature and art trails
- Family-focused AR games including Fairy Treasure Hunts and Dinosaur Safaris
- City-wide walking and discovery routes
Implementation & Delivery
- Simple content creation enabled by an intuitive dashboard
- Ongoing collaboration and feature enhancements
- Support provided to ensure accessibility for all user groups
Outcomes and Social Impact
The platform has achieved significant engagement across diverse groups, including local slimming groups and children's disability groups. The initiative aligns with several key objectives:
- Health & Wellbeing: Promotes physical activity, supports mental wellbeing through discovery, and encourages intergenerational participation.
- Social Value: Delivers inclusive experiences and supports accessible outdoor play.
- Active Travel: Encourages walking in city centres and parks while reducing reliance on short car journeys.
- Levelling Up: Increases cost-free access to cultural and heritage assets, fosters local pride, and extends digital engagement into parks.
Future Plans
Hereford City Council intends to continue using the platform to expand existing trails and introduce new experiences throughout the city.
