Love Exploring Virtual App

The Love Exploring app features MarkeatonAlvaston and Arboretum Park.

We know that parks are places of enjoyment, a space for kids to play, for runners to exercise and for people to escape the hustle bustle of city life, but how much do you really know about your local park?  How do you find out about a park’s history and ecology?  How do you discover the walking trails and find out what events are happening, and when?

Enter the Love Exploring app that will imaginatively bring parks across Derby to life; the free app is now available in both Markeaton and Alvaston Park.

Ideal for inquisitive minds, both young and old, the Love Exploring app is smart enough to adapt to the user’s interests through the use of augmented reality technology. Using an interactive map of the site, guided tours and quizzes are available which reveal landmarks and unknown park facts.

Tom Matthews, the creative mind behind the app said: “As a father, I am always on the lookout for worthwhile activities that we can enjoy as a family. Parks have so many stories to tell and 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 Sprytar 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 it’s 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.“

Councillor Robin Wood, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said of the app: “We’re excited to be bringing this new technology to our city. Derby Parks have so much to offer the people of Derby, and we’re thrilled to see the Love Exploring app bringing these spaces to life through technology.”

The technology may be complicated, but the user experience certainly isn’t.  Simply download the Love Exploring app on a smartphone, select the local park or visitor attraction and scan away to explore and discover the hidden depths of Markeaton and Alvaston Parks.