By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A WALK through Emerald Lake Park is just as much educational as it is serene with the recent installation of a virtual tour guide system.
The walking tracks, which attract dozens of international visitors each day, have been fitted with 10 environmentally friendly posts which give trekkers insight into the rich history of the preserved bushland.
“It’s no longer just a walk in the park,” Council’s Environmental Consultant Tricia Stewart said at the trail launch on Thursday 4 December in the company of Cardinia Shire mayor Leticia Wilmot, Friends of Emerald Lake Park and regular park users. The signs, made from recycled plastic bottles, activate with the use of a mobile QR reader to provide audio information about the park, Cr Wilmot said.
“All environmental information about local flora and fauna is on there. They also cover the cultural and historical side of thing, so hopefully there is something there for everybody,” she said.
“It’s great that the signs have improved the accessibility of information to people. If you’re visually impaired, the signs have an audio component. If you’re hearing impaired, there’s the visual side.”
Cr Wilmot said the new virtual ranger will also enhance the experience for the many overseas visitors who frequent the popular parkland.
“The graphics have also been designed to suit people with literacy or language barriers, so it makes the park much more usable to all the overseas visitors that come to the park. They may not speak or read English, but they can take away a bit of information or history about the park,” she said.
Emerald Lake Park president Sheila Hampson, who has lived in the town for the past 25 years, said the group worked together with council for about a year in the lead-up to the launch.
“The park is a big part of my life,” she said.
“We are all neighbours here, so it’s important to keep the park looking good and the posts encourage people to come.
“It’s not just for tourists, it’s a huge part of our town and community. We hope the posts get people out of the edges and into the bush to see more of what’s up the track.
“It will encourage visitors to go further afield than they normally would do.”
