River Park Interpretation

River Park Interpretation

Led by Green Action Trust

The word interpretation can be used to describe how we share stories about a place, its inhabitants and its history. In the development phase an Interpretation Plan was produced by Icecream Architecture, outlining how the stories of the River Park’s history and nature can be developed by local people and displayed in various formats.

The engagement which informed the development of this plan confirmed that local people want to lead on how the history and culture of their home is shared, which is why this plan sets out how they will ‘Lead the Way’, including by developing briefs, curating exhibitions and learning how to operate a digital platform.

We also learned that young people are interested in learning about local history but it’s not part of the school curriculum. This is why we’ve included a variety of formats, to attract different age ranges to get involved, as well as producing resources which will last.

Using a combination of Hidden Heritage outputs and new developments, the ‘Lead the Way’ group will deliver the diverse plan which includes:

  • Interpretation boards and public art landmarks to be co-designed with the community, ensuring local stories, history, and culture remain visible and integrated throughout the park.
  • A digital archive of oral histories and heritage resources will provide future generations with a deep connection to their past.
  • Collaboration with schools and local artists will foster new skills in historical research, digital design, and heritage interpretation for the community.
  • A long-term educational impact will be achieved through the distribution of booklets and learning kits to schools and other hotspots, ensuring that local history continues to play a vibrant role in the educational journey.
  • The creation of a lasting cultural landmark with both physical and digital elements will allow future generations to add their own contributions, ensuring the park remains an evolving space of community-led interpretation.

Click here to access the Interpretation Plan, developed by Icecream Architecture, which this project was informed by.

Leaving a legacy

The Lead the Way group will continue shaping and evolving park programming, ensuring community-driven decisions extend beyond the project’s completion.