Dinosaurs and fairies come to life in Parramatta Park during Parks Week (4-12 March 2017)
Published: 3 March 2017 at 12:00 am
Parramatta Park’s Domain Creek Playground will become an exciting digital fantasy land for children and families to explore when dinosaurs and fairies come to life in The Magical Park Challenge during Australia and New Zealand’s Parks Week (4-12 March 2017).
The Magical Parks Challenge, created by Geo AR Games, is an innovative new concept that combines outdoor play with geospatial augmented reality to help motivate children to become more active.
Using a smart phone or tablet and the Magical Park app, children experience a blended virtual world seen through the app once they enter the boundaries of the magical park.
Geo AR Games’ CEO Melanie Langlotz said, "We’re revolutionising the way we see technology, literally! Kids get to interact and explore a fantasy world where they have to herd kittens, run away from the bad fairy or come face to face with a giant T-Rex”.
Executive Director of Parramatta Park and Western Sydney Parklands Trusts Suellen Fitzgerald said, “We’re proud to be participating in Parks Week and experimenting with new technology that creates a fun way for families to explore our beautiful World Heritage-listed Park”.
New Zealand Recreation Association chief executive Andrew Leslie said he was looking forward to seeing Magical Parks springing up all over Australia and New Zealand during Parks Week.
“We believe combining outdoor play with technology can motivate kids to be more physically active. We can’t reverse technology or progress, nor should we try. What we can do is create healthy relationships with technology by using the screen to get kids outdoors and moving around.”
“Kids love playing mobile games outside, because they get to run around and have fun in an even more engaging way,’ Mr. Leslie said.
The Magical Parks Challenge will take place opposite the Domain Creek Playground in Parramatta Park from 4-12 March 2017.
Parks Week, which is managed by Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) and New Zealand Recreation Association, runs from 4-12 March in 2017.