THE new interactive Cyril the Squirrel Augmented Reality (AR) app has been launched.

Created by JAM creative studios, based in Cowbridge, the Romilly Park AR tree trail app is part of an initiative to encourage children and families to family to embark on outings to parks, the heritage coast and countryside across the Vale.

The free app was funded by Sport Wales, All Wales Play funding, Welsh Government, and from the Parks and Open Spaces department at the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The game begins at the park’s lecterns, situated at each entrance. There are two trails to choose, both available in Welsh or English. The long trail will can take up to one hour and the short trail should take around 30 minutes. 

Cyril will share facts about the different types of trees, as he leads you through the park.

The aim is to find hidden areas of the park, and play the leaf-finder game as you build up your tree collection on your virtual park map. There is no need to login or register to play, the game will save your progress as you walk around the park.

Jonathan Greatrex, parks and open spaces officer at the Vale Council, said: “Romilly Park has such super woodland with great variety of trees, so it’s brilliant that we can bring it to life through this app. The app is free to download and is being launched just in time for the school holidays.

“I hope everyone enjoys learning more about the trees in Romilly, as well everything else the park has to offer. Thank you to JAM Creative who brought it all to life, Welsh Government, Play Wales, Sport Wales, and the Vale of Glamorgan Council who made this possible.”

There is no need to connect to Wi-Fi or 3G to use the app. However, smart phones must have GPS to play the game. Unfortunately, the game cannot be played on an Apple ipad, as there is no GPS available.

Search for the Romilly Park AR Tree Trail by JAM Creative on AppStore and Google Play for free.