Stover County Park goes for gold
Devon County Council is delighted to announce that one of it's most popular visitor destinations, Stover Country Park, is a finalist in this years Devon Tourism Awards.
The park and nature reserve is up for either a bronze, silver or gold in the Access & Inclusivity Award category.
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.
The winner will be announced at a glittering ceremony at the ‘Palazzo’ at Highbullen Hotel, Golf & Country Club in North Devon on Wednesday 19 November
If the park wins, it will be fast tracked into the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in February 2015 and then possibly invited to represent Devon in to the National VisitEngland Awards later in 2015.
This year saw a record of 130 entries into the Devon awards over 25% up on last year. There has also been an increase to 18 categories in the competition which is now in its 5th year following its launch in 2010 in association with Visit Devon.
Accessibility is a priority at Stover Park and access has been improved and enhanced at each stage of the park’s development. Stover’s aerial walkway was designed to allow all visitors including wheelchair users, the unique experience of being in the woodland canopy.
Two manual wheelchairs have been available for visitors use since 2000. 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.
Volunteers and Rangers have upgraded the entire southern lake path to improve access and safety. Volunteers also built a new bird hide, which accommodates wheelchairs and overlooks Stover Lake. A specially designed Audio Poetry Pen is available for visitors with visual impairment to use when walking the Poetry Trails.
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.
Cabinet Member for Community and Environmental Services Roger Croad says; "I am very pleased to see that Stover has been put forward for this award. The team there do exemplary work in ensuring that the park is accessible for all and provides an enjoyable and educational visit for its visitors. I wish them good luck on the night."
For more information go to www.devontourismawards.org.uk
