Tree trail tech in Frodsham
QR codes provide visitors with rich detail on trees in Cheshire town’s Castle Park.
A new tech application is helping people connect with nature in the market town of Frodsham. Trees in Castle Park now have QR codes placed alongside them. Visitors simply scan the code using the camera on a smartphone and tap the link that pops up. They’re then provided with information about the particular tree.
Trees in Castle Park, Frodsham, photo courtesy of Cheshire West and Chester Council
Castle Park comprises nine hectares of gardens in the grounds of a manor house built on the site of old Frodsham Castle (hence the name). It’s owned and managed by Cheshire West and Chester Council and the Castle Park Trust. This tech-enabled trail is the latest way they’re seeking to engage visitors.
The trail of 19 trees with QR codes begins right by the entrance to the park, with a Copper Beech that is some 200 years-old. Visitors then follow a route winding through the park.
Not all the selected specimens of trees are old. For example, a Small Leaved Lime, with distinctive heart-shaped leaves, was planted in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
This is one of two trails now running through Castle Park. Last year, award-winning artist Simon O’Rourke from North Wales was commissioned to carve wooden sculptures around the park, telling the story of Matilda the Bee and some naughty wasps. The trail includes spiders, honeycomb, lavender and foliage – and you can learn more about it via Simon O’Rourke’s website.
Both trails aim to help visitors get more out of the park – and return more often. With the tree trail, modern tech is being applied to natural history.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cabinet Member for Well-Being, says: ‘Our libraries are celebrating Health and Well-Being Week this week with a wide range of activities. What better way to give your health and wellbeing a boost than a walk in the great outdoors in our beautiful borough?
‘Beat the January blues, wrap up warm and take a stroll around our wonderful tree trail in Castle Park. You’ll find out lots of interesting facts about the trees around the park too. It will be fascinating to see how the trees change across the seasons, so plan some future visits too.’
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