NEW MAP OF CITY'S NATURAL ATTRACTIONS LAUNCHES

A new interactive map will help people enjoy the city's parks, woodlands and other places of historical and natural interest.

Whether you are looking for circular walks, nature reserves or other open spaces, information about where they are, when they are open and how to get there can be found on the Natural Networks Green Grid map.

Natural Networks is a group of organisations including Peterborough City Council, Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT), Natural England and the Wildlife Trust who work to improve the green spaces of Peterborough for the benefit of both people and wildlife. The map can be found on its website www.naturalnet.org.uk.

The map has been developed with digital communications agency Pixelwork, and is very simple to use. Firstly, choose the area of Peterborough you are interested in, select the information categories you would like to find out about and click ‘go’. You can then click on individual sites to find out more details.

Louise Tuffin, the city council's Natural Networks co-ordinator, said: "We want the map to be as useful and user-friendly as possible and welcome any comments and suggestions. If you know of a site you would like to see on the map, or maybe a circular walk that you think other people might enjoy walking, let us know by emailing us at info@naturalnet.org.uk. You can also use the contact form on the website, and we’ll do our best to put it on the map for you."

Natural Networks is also launching an interactive facility for visitors to Nene Park this autumn. The Mobile Explorer uses mobile devices with inbuilt GPS receivers to bring alive the history and wildlife of four new circular trails. The technology has again been developed with Pixelwork, and automatically delivers information on different historical and ecological points of interest along the route when the user enters invisible ‘trigger zones’.

In addition to the walks there is also a ‘wildlife browser’ which gives information on all sorts of species you may come across while out on your walk, and a ‘tracks and signs’ section which helps people identify which birds or animals have left the tracks. You can check your location on the route at any point by accessing the live map, which will pinpoint exactly where you are.

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) will be available to hire free-of-charge from the Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre where the walks start and finish, from September 2009. If you have your own mobile device, the walks will be available to download from www.naturalnet.org.uk and as MP3 audio tours.

Two guided taster sessions have been organised in August 2009, which are the first chance for people to try out this exciting new way of walking. The free sessions will run from 1pm to 3pm on both Tuesday 18 August 2009 and Tuesday 25 August 2009 and PDAs will be available. Places are limited so please be sure to book yours by emailing info@naturalnet.org.uk or telephoning Louise on 01733 454435.