FORP raised the money locally to pay for the trails and worked with Yorkshire Trials to design and implement them.
The trials are free to use by all park visitors, with clue sheets being accessible in the Lakeside Cafe, Tropical World and the Mansion art gallery. In addition, there will be three large information boards located around the park.
There are two trails, the first is an imagination trail called The Magical Fountains of Roundhay and is aimed at under 6s.
The Roundhay Tree Folk need your help to save the Magical Fountains of Roundhay. Do you have the magical skills needed to help them?
Designed for pre-schoolers this trail route is fully accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. The route is split into 3 sections (ranging from 1km -1.5km in length) which can all be done together or split over several visits – children will need your help to read and understand what to do. Imaginations at the ready
The second is an adventure trial where older children (6+) have to solve The Secret of Roundhay Castle by undertaking various tasks.
Follow the trails if you dare,
And the secret of the castle will be laid bare.
The forest fairies have decreed,
That only the bravest adventurers will succeed.
Designed for children of ages 6 and older, this trail is longer and more challenging. The route is split into 3 sections (ranging from 1.5km – 2.5km in length) which can be done together or split over several visits.
Yorkshire Trials held clue writing workshops with year 5 pupils at Talbot and Gledhow Schools to design the clues, some of which were used in the actual trails.
FORP are encouraging children to undertake the trail and upload a photo to social media with the hashtag #littlefriendstrails. The answer sheets, certificates of completion and further information can be found on the FORP website – forp.org/little-friends-trails
Jimmy Middleton, Upper Key Stage 2 Phase Leader, said:
Roundhay Park is an integral part of all Talbot’s children’s lives, so being able to take part in such an exciting competition that will bring other people to the park was too good an opportunity to miss. The children thoroughly enjoyed the treasure trail clue workshop and were very excited to see the fruits of their labour.
Miss Sarah Black, Year 5 teacher at Gledhow Primary School said:
It has been a real privilege to be part of the Roundhay Park Trail design. Our children really enjoyed the challenge in the knowledge that some of their clues were used in the trails.”
A survey conducted by FORP last March revealed that support for trails in the park from the local community was high and they hope local families enjoy them over the coming months.
As well as a monthly program of activities for younger children, Friends of Roundhay Park are also launching the ‘Wild Passport’ in March, a forest outdoor learning course for children 8 years+. More details on this will be released soon but the full calendar of activities and events for 2020 can be viewed here.
For more information please visit: forp.org/little-friends-trails
