Exploring and Expanding Park Use Through Interactive Game Apps

Abstract

This report compiles ways to use technology, specifically a scavenger hunt game, to bring new audiences to Montgomery County parks, in an effort to promote increased engagement and longer park visits. This project capitalizes on the popularity of the interactive game apps and uses a similar game to entice people into the parks and to expand their visits. This report is the initial data collection of a larger effort to create a scavenger hunt application (“app”) that will be developed by another class in Spring 2018. The data comes from 19 park visits and gathers data on location and features within each park. From the field survey, we gathered coordinate information and pictures of the features as well as information was used to create educational and other questions that will be part of the future game app. The fieldwork focused on specific background questions, and key features were mapped for example, the relationship to population density and the distance to park entrances. The analysis and findings resulted in several recommendations, most notably to consider multiple versions of the app based on age group and categories such as walkable urban parks or historic sites. Other recommendations include suggestions for a continual reevaluation of park amenities, increased promotion, and new ways to market the parks and create new partnerships.