PUBLIC & OPEN SPACES
mobile gaming can get people outdoors and with mobile
gaming taking the world by storm, focus is turning to
ways this mobile technology can be used to get people
off the sofas and outside exercising and interacting.”
“There are 50 parks we manage across Albany and
we think by turning some of the not so well used
or lesser known parks into Magical Parks we can
encourage more people to engage with and enjoy
these community spaces.”
But there is also resistance from some park
managers who argue why would the council spend
a huge amount of money on landscaping the park
space and installing recreational facilities if it then
requires technology and mobile games to bring
young families to the park.
Nigel Hobden, the Manager for City Presentation and
Orange City Council disagrees “Enabling the next
generation to link high level technology with the great
benefits of an outdoor environment, especially from
the eyes of a park manager, is a win-win situation.
As the world becomes more tech-savvy the desire
for innovative use of parks and reserves and linking
technology with the real environment is the way
forward. Parks and open spaces are not just there for
their aesthetic attributes, they are there to be utilised,
whether that be actively or passively and the Magical
Park App makes this happen.”
Geo AR Games Ceo Melanie Langlotz noticed some
healthy changes in kids behavior through playing
mobile outdoor games “As a parent you sometimes
have to face a fight over screen time. At the age of 7
or 8, some kids all of a sudden lose interest in going
outside. Using a mobile outdoor game to get kids
off the couch without friction and fighting is a great
way to lure them to the park. And once they are there
and have played the game for about 30-60min, they
discover the tree they can climb or they want to ride
their scooter along the cycling path or feed the ducks.
We are really thrilled when parents tell us that their
child all of a sudden wants to go to the park because
they have remembered how much fun it can be as a
result of playing our game.”
Nigel Hobden adds “The games appeal is to a
younger age set and for this reason has ‘geo fences’
that encourage kids to stay within specified sections
of parkland. Investing in creating more attractive
parkland for our community, whether that be visible
structures or Geo Games, brings ownership, pride
and fosters appreciation of the outdoor environment.
GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2017
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