Stover Park rangers celebrate tourism award
Rangers at Devon County Council’s Stover Country Park in Newton Abbot are celebrating after scooping a prestigious award last night.
The park and nature reserve won bronze in the Access & Inclusivity Award category at this year’s South West Tourism Excellence Awards.
Stover was one of only six from across the region to be shortlisted for the award which honours tourism businesses that excel in being accessible and inclusive. To qualify entrants had to demonstrate exceptional customer service to all and offer an outstanding experience for visitors, particularly those with impairments and other access needs such as mobility, auditory or sensory.
Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for the authority’s Country Parks, said:
“It’s a huge honour for us to win this award. I am so pleased that the hard work the team has put in to ensuring that Stover Country Park is accessible for all has been recognised in this way.
“Accessibility is a priority at Stover and access has been improved and enhanced at each stage of the park’s development. The aerial walkway was designed to allow all visitors including wheelchair users, the unique experience of being in the woodland canopy.
“This award is also a fitting tribute to the enthusiasm and determination of our team of Rangers and volunteers, whose passion and commitment ensures everyone who visits the park has an enjoyable and educational trip.
“They have worked tirelessly to upgrade the entire southern lake path to improve access and safety. Volunteers also built a new bird hide, which accommodates wheelchairs and overlooks the lake, which is excellent.
“It was an enormous privilege to hear such positive feedback on a service that we all care so passionately about. Well done to everyone involved.”
Two manual wheelchairs have been available for visitors use since 2000, and in 2010 Stover Country Park was the first site to operate a ‘Tramper’ mobility scooter as part of the Countryside Mobility South West Tramper Scheme.
There is also a specially designed Audio Poetry Pen available for visitors with visual impairment to use when walking the Poetry Trails. The poetry pen has recordings of all of the poems, which were specially recorded by Poet Alice Oswald.
The visitor centre, toilets, picnic benches and interpretation were designed to accommodate disabled visitors. Rangers work alongside and with special needs groups weekly. They lead guided walks for schools with children with visual or hearing impairment, focusing on texture and smell and use bark, pine cones, acorns and carved animals for texture and plants such as bog myrtle, water mint and elder for smells.
For more information about Stover Country Park, including details of upcoming events, please visit their website.
