Interactive family friendly outdoor trail launches via Oxford North's Engage Programme

Oxford North is launching ‘an inspiring day trail with Billy the Bear’, in collaboration with residential partner, The Hill Group and its Canalside Quarter development.

The fun and free trail is the perfect way to bring together the whole family over the summer holidays, running from 3rd August – 2nd September. Designed for children aged between five and ten years, the outdoor trail through Fallaize Park demonstrates a day in the working life of a modern scientist or inventor, opening the door to illustrate potential careers in science. The trail continues through Canalside Quarter into Canalside Park.

During the interactive trail, The Hill’s much-loved mascot, Billy the Bear, helps children to see themselves in science and innovation, while discovering the skills used daily by innovators and researchers, fostering their curiosity in STEM careers.

Across five interactive stops placed around Fallaize Park, children can meet different versions of Billy the Bear, each representing an important part of how scientists and innovators work: the scientist, the astronomer, playtime Billy, the ecologist, and the barista (full details below).

The adventure starts from Canalside Quarter’s marketing suite, following the trail and scanning the QR code at each discovery stop – enjoying each photo opportunity with Billy the Bear. Participants can then collect their special prize on completion.

Visitors can also enjoy a special ice cream offer which is available on weekdays from 3rd August – 2nd September, between 7.30am and 4pm from Taylors Oxford North.

Collaboration

Simon Ruck, managing director of Oxford North, said: “We are delighted to bring Billy the Bear to Fallaize Park, in collaboration with Hill Group and Canalside Quarter.

“The Inspiring Day trail reflects the mission of Oxford North to create an inspiring place where researchers and scientists have the correct environment to exchange ideas and make life-changing discoveries.

“We look forward to welcoming people to Oxford North, to explore Fallaize Park, Canalside Quarter, Canalside Park and to relax in Taylors Oxford North for delicious food and drinks.”

Lucy Ball, senior communications manager at The Hill Group, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Oxford North for the inspiring day trail, bringing our beloved mascot Billy the Bear, to the innovation district.

We have adapted Billy into five different characters, all to reflect the stages of a working day for a modern scientist, mirroring exactly what Oxford North has to offer”.

The easy-to-use trail provides the perfect opportunity for family fun over the summer holidays and a playful way to explore the district.”

Victoria Collett, development director of Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, and chair of Oxford North’s public art steering group, said: “We are excited to be collaborating with Hill Group to bring Billy the Bear to Oxford North, as part of our Engage programme, which celebrates community and cultural connections to art and science. We look forward to seeing local families enjoying the trail and Taylors Oxford North as creating spaces that bring people together is a key part of our vision for Oxford North.

“We hope the trail inspires children to see themselves in science and feel connected to the exciting innovations and discoveries that happen in Oxford every day.”

Billy the Bear trail themes

For scientists to work productively, they need all the right ingredients to think, work, rest, get together and exchange ideas reflected in the human-centred design of Oxford North.

Each of Billy’s characters along the trail highlights the importance of this:

1. The Scientist - work begins in the lab. Scientists spend much of their day at the bench, mixing, measuring, testing and trying again when things don't work out. And things often don't work out, at least not first time. That's not failure, that's information because curiosity and persistence are some of the most important qualities for innovators, just as important as equipment like test tubes and goggles.

2. Play and Exercise - It might look like a break but play and exercise are two of the most productive things a creative inventor can do. When your brain is stuck, the worst thing you can do is keep staring at the problem. Moving, laughing and letting your mind wander gives your unconscious brain the space it needs to make unexpected connections. Some of the best ideas in history arrived not at a desk, but mid-climb, mid-run, or mid-splash in the bath.

3. The Ecologist - Science doesn't happen in isolation. An ecologist's skill is close, patient observation - noticing what's there, rather than what you expect to find. But it's also about care: for the environment, for the community, and for the people and creatures around you. The best scientists check in, look out for others, and make sure their work is doing good in the world closest to them while also being mindful of changing the wider world.

4. The Astronomer - The best scientists don't just look down at their work; they look up and out. An astronomer's job is to take the longest possible view, scanning the horizon for patterns, connections and questions that no one has thought to ask yet. Looking up at the stars reminds us that every local problem is part of a much bigger story, and that keeping a wide-angle view of the world is what separates good science from truly great science.

5. The Barista - Every good working day involves a fuel stop. Scientists and other creative people who do their best work, know when to stop, how to reflect on what they've learned, and how to reward themselves for the effort. As we arrive at our last stop, a warm drink and a moment of quiet at Taylors Oxford North is how you process the day, consolidate your thinking, and start to imagine what tomorrow might bring. To finish, a free tub of delicious Yarde Farm ice cream from Taylors Oxford North for all children who complete the trail.