Brighton Meerkat Discovery Trail proves a hit for families
Hundreds of families have taken part in a scheme designed to get children and their families travelling actively and sustainably around Brighton & Hove.
The Brighton Meerkat Discovery Trail ran throughout October and November with more than 500 families taking up the chance to explore the city and learn about local places where the meerkats were hiding.
The challenge was to find nine meerkats hiding in city centre locations including Jubilee Library Children’s Library and Brighton Museum and Art Gallery and collect stickers along the way.
Those completing the trail were entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a micro-scooter, a family theatre ticket, or a goody bag.
Accessible trail welcome for mother and son
It wasn’t just school-aged children who enjoyed the Discovery Trail. 21-year-old Joseph Man attends Downs View Life Skills College in Patcham. His mum Marian contacted Brighton & Hove City Council after completing the challenge.
Marian said “Joseph has severe and complex learning and physical disabilities. He mainly uses a wheelchair when we are out and about; this makes country walks difficult, especially in winter so we love an urban trail.
“We very much enjoyed the meerkats so thank you for setting us this little challenge.”
After receiving the letter, members of the council’s Active Travel team went to visit Joseph at Downs View Life Skills College to present him with a goody bag including high vis gear.
Delphine Jacq, School Travel Officer, said: “It’s great to see more than 500 families took part in the trail. We want to encourage as many people as possible to travel around the city in a way that promotes activity and sustainability.
“The trail was an opportunity for families to enjoy being out and about together and learn about local historical places whilst having fun spotting the meerkats.
“We were delighted when Marian contacted us to tell us about how much she and Joseph had enjoyed the trail and we thought it deserved special recognition.”
Active Travel funding
The Meerkat Trail is one of the council’s Active Travel initiatives which aim to get children and their families travelling actively and sustainably around Brighton & Hove. This project is supported with funding from the Access Fund for Sustainable Travel from the Department for Transport. Click here to find out more about the fund.
