Abby Martin takes up the story.....
There is so much to think about when you set up a new trail!
Access to the gardens or grounds where you are setting up the trail is obviously a key practical point. It is often physically impossible to get a car near to where the sculptures will be situated without causing havoc to flora and fauna! So early on, we have to consider from a practical perspective what will be manageable for sculptors and public alike. Leonardslee was particularly tricky for this.
There is also the question of accessibility in a wider context, ensuring that at least the majority of the trail can be accessed by wheelchair users and families with buggies. We are obviously working in natural landscapes, so making this happen is not always easy but it is something we work closely with venues to achieve.
It was funny walking around Leonardslee with the Manager at the beginning looking for the right site for our new trail. We had a great team of SSS members navigating the maze of walking trails but my knowledge of plants and trees is limited so as I couldn’t identify locations by the foliage like a gardener would, we soon came up with other, less conventional names for all the areas of the garden. Luckily the Manager embraced our way of thinking!
A circular route always feels best. People can walk the route and then come back via the stewards to discuss what they have seen and ask any questions. At some venues, however, this can be rather tricky. It is always great to get people’s feedback on the trail.