Making our parks magical

Making our parks magical

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Elizabeth Loder enjoys the Magical Park app.

The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale celebrated Park Week last month with a new app designed by GEO AR Games based in New Zealand.

From March 4 to March 12 residents of all ages enjoyed using the Magical Park app.

Shire president John Erren said children and adults alike caught themselves kittens, ran away from fairies and came face to face with a giant T-Rex.

“Using their smart phone and tablets people could explore an exciting and engaging virtual world,” he said.

“It was seen through the Magical Park app once they entreated the boundaries of the Magical Park at Bill Hicks Reserve and Serpentine Oval.”

Mr Erren said the app was free and available to everyone.

“The first 100 kids who used it enjoyed ice cream,” he said.

“The first 50 adults enjoyed a coffee.”

Mr Erren said the average child spent up anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes on the app and ran up to two-kilometres during any one session.

“The Magical Park app was aimed to bring tech savvy families to urban parks that normally wouldn’t come anymore and stay at home instead,” he said.

“It was predominantly targeting kids aged eight and above who tend to lose interest in traditional playgrounds and going outside, as well as bringing families together in a fun way.”

Mr Erren said the Magical Park app received a great response.