The Watermead Park Climate Trail in Leicester is set to be officially unveiled to the public mid August. The unique 500m trail, including oil drum totem poles, wooden towers and metal gabions, has been in development for nearly two years after funding was secured from the Big Lottery and from building materials company Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK through the Landfill Communities Fund. What began life as a basic play area concept has now become a thought-provoking trail that gets across important eco-messages in clear language that all ages can understand. Design lead, Carl said: “It was really important that we practised what we preached so we used recycled materials in the constructions that we got from the city’s rubbish dumps.” 

Along with partners Creed Design Associates, the team at Newenglish Design even thought about the inevitable chance of vandalism. As the materials used to create the signage are used and aged, grafitti would certainly not ruin them. Quite the opposite, they would give them an authentic feel. The inexpensive steel, rubber and timber used can be easily repaired and updated when needed, whilst being durable and weather-resistant. A large amount of the information is located well above normal reach, reducing the chance of lasting damage even further. Early visitor feedback suggests that the Climate Trial is set to become a resounding success and user numbers are expected to soar over the coming months. Leicester City Council Project & Development Officer, Brian Stafford, said “We’re delighted how the Trail has evolved over the last two years to become a major attraction for the city. We’re confident that residents and visiting tourists will enjoy the outdoors whilst picking up a few facts and figures about environmental issues.”