Interpretation 3
Stratford Park, Stroud (Stroud District Council)
Health and well-being trail
Several villages and towns were part of this scheme. Each was seen as a gateway to the wider Cotswold AONB landscape and these signs showed visitors a number of walks emintaing from the town into the wider countryside.
Conceived by Footprint during the pandemic and in partnership with Stroud District Council, a health and well-being trail has been created around Stratford Park. This links to the 'Space to Breathe' concept and seeks to encourage people to explore and discover what the park has to offer, but also to stop, stand still, look, listen and breathe!
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Around the trail, four oak monoliths with cut through shapes (eye, magnifying glass, heart and camera) plus simple graphics, seek to reinforce this message.
There is no mention of the three larger than life animal species that have been sited around the trail. These weather proof cut-outs wait to be discovered as people walk the trail.
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Sparrowhawks have nested in the tops of the trees above the cut-out. The bough (left) is lower down on a fine Oak tree in which Little owls have nested.
Around a dozen small graphic discs have been sited around the trail. Some are informative, others pose a question, seeking a response.
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Trail markers in the park branding, help guide people around the trail.
The trail also takes you over a bridge above the Painswick Stream which runs through the park. Each side of the bridge is lined with four carge circular discs depicting some of the wildlife species that use the stream and its banks
These monochrome images are in sympathy with the black wrought iron of the bridge. They are not fixed to the ironwork in any way that would damage its integrity as a listed structure. They also reduce the risk of people leaning through and falling into the water below.
