Tales on city trails to delight families
CARDIFF will soon be seeing brand-new outdoor storytelling trails located across the city.
The four bespoke trails will be delivered as part of Cardiff’s Child Friendly City programme and have been created by Cardiffbased storyteller Tamar Williams, each depicting tales of Welsh myth and legend.
The initiative aims to increase outdoor play opportunities by encouraging children and families to have fun outdoors while engaging with the environment around them. As well as taking children on a journey through the story accessible via QR codes, they will also be encouraged to make bark rubbings, build with sticks and discover secret places within the parks.
The first trail is now open to the public and is located at Bute Park, starting with a QR code at the Castle Street entrance near the Pettigrew Tea Rooms.
Three more trails will launch later this spring, located at Cardiff Bay, Forest Farm and Parc Cefn
Onn.
Available in Welsh and English, the stories have been recorded in partnership with Wales Millennium Centre.
A spokesman for Cardiff council said: “Outdoor play has always been integral to children’s development, helping to engage them with their environment and surroundings.
“The importance and focus on outdoor play has been further strengthened during Covid-19. This is one of several childfriendly schemes to assist in direct recovery from the impact of the pandemic, helping to promote health and well-being among young families while contributing to sustainable play opportunities.”
Tamar Williams said: “I was born and raised in Cardiff and have lived here for most of my life, but I still think the city has so many secret places to explore. I believe that storytelling should be for everyone, and that stories are indispensable in building a healthy world. I am hoping that these story trails will encourage children and their families to go off the beaten track, find some new magical places, and enjoy exploring them, all while listening to stories.”
Cardiff’s Child Friendly vision places the rights and voices of children and young people at the heart of the city’s policies, strategies and services and this is one of several projects to be delivered through the All Wales Play Opportunities Grant.