Mayor: Jim Simmons
General Manager: Scott Greensill
LOCKED BAG 23 GRAFTON NSW 2460
Telephone: (02) 6643 0200
Fax: (02) 6642 7647
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2017
There are dinosaurs and fairies in our parks
DINOSAURS and fairies are about to take up residency in some parks in the Clarence
Valley.
During Parks Week, which runs from March 4-12, virtual dinosaurs and fairies will inhabit
part of Ford Park, Yamba, and Westward Park, Grafton.
To play these free, virtual games all a player needs is a recent smart phone or tablet, data
and to ensure GPS is enabled. Players need to download the “Magical Parks” app and they
will be ready to go.
Once a player has the app installed, they choose to enter Prehistoria for the dinosaur game
or Augmentia for the fairy game. The dinosaur mode will encourage players to collect
dinosaur eggs in a virtual playground, which is bursting with dinosaurs of all shapes and
sizes, even a mammoth.
There are unicorns, a dragon and other mystical creatures in the fairy game where players
collect kittens, but they need to look out for the bad fairy as she will try to scare the player’s
kittens away.
Clarence Valley Council parks and recreation officer, Rachelle Passmore, said it was the first
time Magical Parks had come to Australia.
“It would be great to see children out and about interacting with the virtual characters in
council’s open space,” she said.
“On average, children will run between 700 metres and two kilometres during a 30-60 minute
session,” she said.
“Combining technology with outdoor play should encourage kids to be more physically active
and allow them to get exercise while in a healthy and secure environment.
“I’ve had a trial run with my children and they thought it was fantastic.
“We recommend that the device is fully charged and players wear enclosed footwear and
clothes suitable for active recreation. Adult supervision is required at all times during the
game.”
Ms Passmore said there would be no in-game advertising and both locations would have
appropriate “geofencing”.
Caption: Screen captures from the virtual reality games Prehistoria and Augmentia, which
will be available free of charge in Westward Park, Grafton, and Ford Park, Yamba, during
Parks Week, which runs from Saturday to March 12.
Release ends.
For media inquiries contact Clarence Valley Council communications coordinator,
David Bancroft, on 6643 0230 or 0429 104 118.