Visitors to Virginia’s Natural Bridges State Park (NBSP) can now have a more enriched experience with new assistive technology that helps with wayfinding and shares information in multiple languages, as well as audio tours.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, parks have played an increasingly important role in public welfare, and governments are now investing in expanding the accessibility of outdoor recreation areas. This spring, one Colorado county launched its Trail Ability Program to make trails accessible to people who use wheelchairs.
Improvements announced earlier this month allow visitors to download the free RightHear mobile application to experience the new accessibility system and learn about the park, named for its 200-foot-tall natural bridge.
The system, which consists of 14 Bluetooth beacons strategically placed throughout the park, was made possible through grant funding from the Rockbridge Community Health Foundation and Friends of Natural Bridges State Park, said Dave Myers, deputy park manager with NBSP.
“We believe everyone should have easy access to the parks,” Myers said. “This is a small step in that direction and we're really happy to be a part of it.”
Upon arriving at the park, visitors can download or open the app and experience their first interaction with a beacon at the main entrance of the visitor center, providing visitors with information about the location of nearby restrooms and ticket counters.
Some beacons provide directional information on where to go and what to do. Others are attached to park interpretive panels so visitors can learn more as they approach. The beacons inform visitors about park programs, park history and where to find park rangers. All of the informational content the beacons provide is created by park staff, Myers says.
The technology was adopted to serve visually impaired visitors, but like many technologies that expand access, it also benefits a wider population.
For NBSP, the system is also especially effective for park visitors who can't speak or read English: The application automatically translates information into 26 languages, and as Myers noted, the park receives many international visitors who want to hear in their own language.
Myers said NBSP is installing signs with QR codes at park entrances so people can more easily access the app and get the information they need in a language they can understand.
The park management team first became aware of the technology through direct feedback from park visitors who are visually impaired, and visitor feedback will guide how the technology will work in the future. Myers noted that visitor feedback allows them to continually improve the system by identifying information that is missing. He said the interface used allows NBSP staff to change the language and information if changes are requested. Myers appreciated that park visitors who are visually impaired tested the system and provided honest feedback.
NBSP is currently working with RightHear to provide feedback, address needs that arise and enhance the technology for users both in and outside the park.
For other parks considering implementing a similar system, Myers stressed the value of listening to their feedback to improve visitor experiences.